Procedures for High Power Rockets

Motor Preparation
Prepare Motor

  • Prepare motor per packaged instructions for launch.
  • Verify that ejection charge was installed in the motor. If motor is already secured, take it out and visually verify.
  • Select correct size igniter for engine. Inspect for continuity, resistance, and check pyrogen for cracks or flaws.
  • Secure motor and igniter for later installation into rocket.
  • DO NOT install igniter until rocket is secure on the pad.

PhoenixXL    TroysL1Cert

Recovery System Preparation
Recovery System, Drogue Chute (If dual deployment. If not, skip this part.):

  • Check shock cords for cuts, burns, and tangles.
  • Check all shroud lines — no tangles.
  • Check drogue chute for tears and burns.
  • Check deployment bag for tears.

Check all connections. Insure all devices are in good condition and properly secured:

  • Avionics bay shock cord to drogue
  • Booster shock cord to drogue

Pack drogue chute in deployment bag, keep lines even and straight.

  • Fold drogue chute per manufacturer’s instructions.
  • Insure shroud lines are free from tangles.
  • Insure all quick links are secure.
  • Insert drogue bag/chute into aft recovery compartment .
  • Insert ejection charge protection.

Recovery System, Main Chute:

  • Check shock cords for cuts, burns, and tangles.
  • Check all shroud lines — no tangles.
  • Check main chute for tears and burns.
  • Check deployment bag for tears.

Check all connections. Insure all devices are in good condition and properly secured:

  • Nose Cone shock cord to drogue
  • Avionics bay shock cord to drogue

Pack main chute in deployment bag, keep lines even and straight.

  • Fold main chute per manufacturer’s instructions.
  • Insure shroud lines are free from tangles.
  • Insure all quick links are secure.
  • Insert ejection charge protection.
  • Insert main bag/chute into forward recovery compartment

Electronics (If applicable)
Prepare avionics #1

  • Be sure all arming switches are off.
  • Ohmmeter test of NEW battery under load
  • Install battery in altimeter.
  • Secure battery in place with Missile Works built in positive battery retention system.
  • Altimeter properly programmed and verified.
  • Ready avionics bay for altimeter.
  • Install altimeter in rocket.
  • Insure all pyrotechnics are in disarmed mode during electronics final installation.

Prepare avionics #2

  • Be sure all arming switches are off.
  • Ohmmeter test of NEW battery under load
  • Install battery in altimeter.
  • Secure battery in place with wire tie.
  • Altimeter properly programmed and verified.
  • Ready avionics bay for altimeter.
  • Install altimeter in rocket.
  • Insure all pyrotechnics are in disarmed mode during electronics final installation.

Note: All pyrotechnic devices must remain in an unarmed mode until rocket is on pad ready to launch.

Pyrotechnics, drogue

  • Prepare aft deployment pyrotechnic device and ready for installation into rocket.
  • Load aft charge into rocket, insure at all times the devices are safed until final launch readiness.
  • Connect aft pyrotechnic leads to electronic deployment devices drogue chute connections.
  • Utilizing external disarming mechanisms to insure all electronically discharged pyrotechnics are disabled until final launch readiness.

Pyrotechnics, main

  • Prepare forward deployment pyrotechnic device and ready for installation into rocket.
  • Load forward charge into rocket, insure at all times the devices are safed until final launch readiness.
  • Connect forward pyrotechnic leads to electronic deployment devices main chute connections.
  • Utilizing external disarming mechanisms to insure all electronically discharged pyrotechnics are disabled until final launch readiness.

Motor Installation

  • Tape motor casing for snug fit in motor tube.
  • Install motor.
  • Install motor retaining devices.
  • Insure all electronic deployment devices are in the non-dischargeable safed mode.

Final Launch Preparations
Load Rocket on Pad

  • Prepare launch pad.
  • Load rocket on launch rod.

Prepare Igniter

  • Insert igniter. Be sure it is completely forward and touching fuel grain.
  • Secure igniter in position
  • Assure that launcher is not hot. Disconnect battery from relay box. Assure that key IS NOT remote device and that arming switch is off.
  • Attach leads to ignition device.
  • Be sure all connectors are clean.
  • Be sure they don’t touch each other or that circuit is not grounded by contact with metal parts.
  • Check tower’s position and be sure it is locked into place and ready for launch.
  • Assure that key IS NOT remote device and that arming switch is off.
  • Connect battery to relay box.

Final Launch Sequence

  • Arm all devices for launch.
  • Insure Flight Witnesses are in place and ready for launch.
  • Signal LCO & RSO that rocket is ready for launch.

Misfire Procedures

  • Safe all pyrotechnic to pre-launch mode.
  • Remove failed igniter.
  • Resume checklist at “Final Launch Preparations/Prepare Igniters.”

Post-Recovery Checklist

This is the post-flight checklist as required as part of the Certification Package. This checklist includes steps required to ensure the rocket is in a safe condition after completion of a flight.
Normal Post Flight Recovery

  • Check for non-discharged pyrotechnics.
  • Safe all ejection circuits.
  • Remove any non-discharged pyrotechnics.

Flight Failure Checklist

  • Disarm all non-fired pyrotechnic devices.
  • Continue Normal Post Flight Recovery procedures.

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NAR Section #726