Today the launch campaign NLD39, the CanSat launch day of 2013, took place at ASK ‘t Harde in the Veluwe, Netherlands. A total of 4 CanSat rockets, each carrying 5 CanSats on-board were planned for launch. Along with these were the Stratos II Concept Launcher and a rocket from the NAVRO. Next to that the NERO also had two rockets and a static motor test planned.
The payload section of one of the CanSat Launcher V7’s being loaded with CanSats before being mated with its booster section.
After the usual early rise, made a little more bearable this time by happy Sinterklaas music at 6:50 in the morning, the team set of to perform the noble tasks of launching the magnificent CanSat rockets into the skies. The first launch window was planned for 10:30, with the first CanSat launcher and the NAVRO rocket to go. With some effort this launch window was reached with only 5 minutes margin and the CanSat V7 launched into the air. After breaching the clouds, its successfully deploying its precious cargo at its highest point in flight. There were some minor issues however, such as the hatches of the V7 rocket that came lose from the rocket. It was suspected that the wires connecting these hatches to the rocket body place were not strong enough and broke after the hatches were released. These wires were reinforced on site and with the third launch of the CanSat rockets that day there was no problem anymore with the hatches. The NAVRO rocket went next and deployed its parachute beautifully. It was later returned virtually undamaged to the NAVRO by the military.
High school students preparing for the launch of the first CanSat V7 rocket.
Well into the second launch window (the CanSat rocket filled with CanSat’s was already at the launch pad) the NERO decided that their first rocket needed to be launched because of it not being able to run much longer on its battery. This meant that the DARE launch crew needed to abandon their work for a good 15 minutes and retreat up to the viewing area. The rocket of the NERO made a quick dash off the launch pad, but unfortunately did not succeed in deploying it’s parachute causing it to go ballistic. After this intermezzo the second CanSat V7 rocket was put into the DARE tower and launched without any problems, again deploying all the CanSats and returning safely to earth using it’s own parachute.
CanSat Launcher V7 taking to the skies at ASK ‘t Harde.
The third launch window came up and the third CanSat rocket was ready and prepared by the CanSat prep teams smoothly sailing through the checklists. The rocket was brought down to the launch pad and was being placed into the tower when it was found out a breakwire attached to the rocket which is used to signal the flight computer that the rocket has taken off, was broken. After some discussion this was fixed on the spot by shortening the breakwire (the CanSat V7 has two breakwires in series to each other). Another issue however came up: one of the hatches detached from the rocket when it was placed in the tower. To fix this malfunction the rocket was disconnected from its motor module and the payload section containing the CanSats and the nosecone was brought up for inspection. Just after this the NERO launched their second and last rocket of the day. This rocket launched with a very short engine burn time and shot with a nice parabola into a cloud. Again the rocket went ballistic.
More small delays occurred during the day, including, but not mentioned yet: horse riders appearing out of nowhere in the area. All the small delays together made that time was now running out, everything needed to move quickly now and the preparation area became a buzzing nest of activity. But, ordered activity. Everyone was very much aware of their task and was moving at their topmost pace to get the job done. The Stratos II concept launcher was brought to the tower and prepared for launch. The fourth CanSat launcher V7 was by this time prepared already while the third was still being checked. The rocket was brought down to the tower but again the same failure where the hatch detached prematurely occurred. The problem was fixed on the spot and due to a generous extension of the possible launch window from 14:00 till 14:30 by the military the rocket was launched, taking the next five CanSats to the skies. Unfortunately it was not possible to launch the Concept launcher as it suffered a delay due to uncertainty about the battery status.
The cause for the issues with the hatches of this third CanSat V7 rocket during preparation for its launch might be due to an unfit hook within the rocket that grabs on to the hatches to hold them in place, which may have been loosened due to some vibration or handling. This is however speculation and needs still to be sorted out fully.
No fourth CanSat launcher could be launched this day due to unfortunate time constraints. The three CanSat V7 rocket launches that did occurred however all went fine; each rocket worked beautifully technically, deployed all its CanSats, deployed it’s parachute and drifted back to the ground safely. All three CanSat V7 launchers were recovered with only minor damage; only a single nose cone and a few of the hatches are total write offs. This opens up potential for reusing (parts of) these rockets, if not making great exhibition pieces.
Team picture of the full DARE crew at this NLD39 launch day.