Randall Clague wrote: > On Wed, 13 Nov 2002 19:48:20 -0800, "Tony Fredericks" > <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > >The tower that we have does have the capability of being set up with up to > >10deg tilt. There are holes in the upper plate to allow bolts with large > >washers (which I purchased when I purchased some of the basic components for > >the tower) for spacing. > > Changing the lean angle isn't a trivial operation, though, and can't > be done safely when the rocket is fueled and pressurized. So we can't > adapt to changing wind conditions; we have to either wait it out - a > poor prospect in Mojave - or live with the weathercocking. Given the > enormous horizontal velocity weathercocking produces, the latter isn't > a good option either.
Besides, that tower assembly is no longer in service. You weren't there on Saturday... the thing suffered a minor accident due to a broken guy wire; the adjustability provided by the standoff screws allowed us to restore the rail to acceptable alignment, but further normal disassembly and reassembly of the upper rail sections appeared to be unlikely. The bottom section (with all the systems bits) was retained, for probable future use in static test operations; I believe the rail sections were also salvaged. Further flight attempts, however, will require the creation of Launch Stand Mk. II... I.e., we're gonna have to do a new one anyway... sounds like you're arguing for remote adjustability, to allow for angle changes late in the launch sequence (i.e., after pressurization)...? You actually hope to be able to "tune" the tower angle from trajectory simulations well enough to keep the thing flying straight up in the Mojave winds? I'd be somewhat impressed... can we know the wind environment at the moment of launch, with sufficient resoulution and lead-time to do meaningful calculations? -dave w _______________________________________________ ERPS-list mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://lists.erps.org/mailman/listinfo/erps-list
