At the time, we really didn't have any clue to what caused the chute to
pop early.  Since we only saw one pyro charge go off (after the chute was
deployed - clearly the timer based one), and we noted that both pyros did
ignite (recovery inspection), we reasoned that the baro sensor set off the 
first one, which popped the chute.  This seemed to rule out drag separation
as a cause of the early deployment.  Exactly how the baro could fail, even
given the severe vibrations, is still unknown.  This is the exact system
we used for all three of the KISS2 flights, and it worked perfectly.

So, long discussions followed, and we agreed to run the same system with
the solid motor, knowing that even if the baro worked fine, we probably
still shouldn't trust it with the second HTP flight.  It came down to the
realization that an early chute deployment at the higher speeds of the
second HTP flight (data later showed almost 500 mph) would clearly 
shred the chute completely, and we'd lose the entire vehicle.  Thus, 
we went with timer only deployment, with an additional timer for
backup.

Dan

In a message dated 11/13/2 7:37:24 AM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:

<< Was it ever determined what the problem with the baro altimiter was?
Power? Dirt on a contact?  >>

_______________________________________________
ERPS-list mailing list
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
http://lists.erps.org/mailman/listinfo/erps-list

Reply via email to