Dick Stafford's Rocket Dungeon Blog 
Rocket Dungeon Posts
It's one of those days.... (2008-12-04)
I went to print the decals for the 'Da Shizzle and found my print cartridge is out of yellow. The meter says it should be near full. Cleaning/testing didn't help. Oh well, just have to replace it. I ... [Read More]
Over regulation may be striking more than rocketry (update) (2008-12-12)The Make:blog is hosting an article about the effects that the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) will have on small toy manufacturers. In response to the scare about lead in toys made ... [Read More]
Barry Tunick answers a few unasked questions (2009-04-02)Scott Hansen has posted an email he received from Estes Industries' Barry Tunick . In this email, Barry addresses issues that he didn't think were adequately addressed in his previous responses to ... [Read More]
Steve Eves' Saturn V ROCKED Maryland's Eastern Shore (2009-04-25)After testing the winds with a 'tiny' Nike Smoke on a J350, Steve Eves' Saturn was launched into the beautiful Maryland skies at around 1PM local. The central 'P' and eight 'N' motors (that's 'R' ... [Read More]
Masten static test video, for mach diamond fans (2009-05-07)Clark Lindsey found this video from Ben Brockert and Masten Space : A test fire on the 750lbf engine on the XA-0.1B-750 in hold-down testing. Here the engine is putting out about 800 pounds of ... [Read More]
Lenticular rockets: FGG-3/Darque Sol/Pye Wacket (2009-05-22)I just ran across this stuff and will present it in the order I discovered it vs. in any logical sequence. First, I saw a brief report about a project called FGG-3/Darque Sol on the Tripoli ... [Read More]
AeroTech announces the first three items in their new Karl E. Baumann Signature Product Line (2009-05-28)AeroTech Information Release 5/28/09 AeroTech Creates Karl E. Baumann Signature Product Line AeroTech is pleased to announce that it has created the Karl E. Baumann (KEB™) Signature L ... [Read More]
Quest F12 test flight (2009-06-02)Here's a video showing a Quest F12 being prepped for flight. This was a private launch hosted by MDRA member, formally known as FooseFest. One of the attendees employee in the sport rocketry ... [Read More]
APCP cost may be rising (2009-06-19)Rocketry Planet has learned that, due "increasingly limited supply" of surplus ammonium perchlorate (AP) and the "serious decline" in the quality of surplus AP, AeroTech has announced they will be ... [Read More]
For someone so interested in the MLAS, I've been snoozin' (2009-08-16)I missed most of this YORF thread . The attached photo is what Quest came up with in 8 hours to start testing. :drooling: There's also an inference that sandman, who did the parts for wolsotr's 19" ... [Read More]
An Unreasonable rocket vacation (2009-09-09)Paul Breed reports that he's taken vacation from his day job to focus on rocketry. 51 days and 7 testing weekends to go..... [Read More]
The engineer's desktop before computer desktops (2009-10-27)When I started my professional career, I was given a desk in a bullpen and a ton of manuals to read. There were no PCs or web. We had drafting tools, parts catalogs, and a plethora of ... [Read More]
Watch the Masten NGLLC flights (updates) (2009-10-28)Live They experienced problems and the contest window closed. They will try again between 4PM and 5PM EST. I'm unclear if this is an official contest window or if they are just testing. The webcast ... [Read More]
Ares I-X successful, but not perfect (updated) (2009-10-29)Space.com discusses the apparent staging problem with Ares I-X. They cite comments from Mission Manager Bob Ess. He said to CNET, "So far, we're on a path to learn a lot. The separation seemed ... [Read More]
Sport Rocketry January/February 2010 (2010-01-08)Just to tease those who haven't seen their copy yet, I decided to tell ya' what's in this issue even before I've read any of the articles. But I did look at the pictures, starting with rocket girl ... [Read More]
Interesting discussion: Sparkies to come under fire at NFPA: Who Made The G? (2010-01-24)A few days ago, Rocketry Planet published a great article regarding the coming meeting of National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)'s Technical Committee on Pyrotechnics in Salt Lake City, ... [Read More]
6 months in the life of Armadillo (2010-01-31)A reader (thanks George!) pointed me to Armadillos latest status report . This is big one, covering over 6 months of activity from the first Class III waiver issued by FAA AST, through the ... [Read More]
Changes to the NFPA modroc code are a done deal (well, kinda) (2010-02-02)Update: I should clarify that there is one more level of approval and the changes won't go into effect until the release of the updated document in 2011. Earlier today, I heard that the NFPA ... [Read More]
NARPres comments on the NFPA 1125 revision (2010-02-02)Trip's words, my highlights and added comments in brackets (stuff I didn't mention before or didn't catch earlier): Earlier today (February 2) we completed the first of two 2010 meetings of the ... [Read More]
Astron Invader and the possible snowpocalypse of 2010 (2010-02-03)Invader status: Slight warpapge, previously undetected, was problematic. Nothing that sandpaper, CyA, a accelerator couldn't handle. Glide testing/trimming may have to wait for dry ground ... [Read More]
The quest for 300 psi (2010-04-15)George Katz updates us on his experiments with fiberglass-reinforced PET bottles . It will be cool to see what his big and complex water rockets can do when pressurized to 300 psi. He recently ... [Read More]
Got a package full of Odd'l stuff (2010-05-05)Odd'l Rockets , operated by Hans "Chris" Michielssen, is dedicated to unique, if not odd, rockets and rocket-related accessories. He recently asked if I'd be interested in testing out his ... [Read More]
The first RATTworks Tribrid motors have been certified by Tripoli (2010-05-18)As seen on Rocketry Planet , it appears that Tripoli Motor Testing (TMT) has certified two RATTworks Tribrids: a 1861K350TR-P (45% K) and a 2170K600TR-P (70% K motor). For those who don't know ... [Read More]
Hump day rocketry vacuum (2010-06-09)Not much going on today in the Interwebs. I was kinda down about not being at LDRS, which starts tomorrow (or today if this post is slow). Should be interesting. I've heard about ... [Read More]
On-board video like you haven't seen since the late 60's, far out, man (2010-07-24)This is with a hat tip to R2K . First I'll set the stage. Start the first video, wait for the organ riff to start, and then scroll down and watch the second. Guaranteed to blow your mind! ... [Read More]
X-Plane updates - news and rumors (2010-11-22)Clark Lindsey updates us on the status of the X-34 and speculates about the X-37B . NASA Dryden has released a press release confirming that the two X-34's have been moved to Mojave, where Orbital ... [Read More]
OMG, a flying Pogo on a stick! (2010-12-04)As y'all know, I like tail-sitting VTOL aircraft and in particular the Convair XFY-1 Pogo (see my flying version here ). Scott Lowther just posted about NASA LaRC's rocket-powered aerodynamic ... [Read More]
The Dungeon's Top Ten of 2010 (updated) (2010-12-05)Here is my yearly recap of what I think was most significant in and around the Dungeon. As originally mentioned, I jumped the gun on posting the list. It's now 100% complete! In no ... [Read More]
Mega-Review: Modified Art Applewhite Standard Flying Saucers (LONG) (2010-12-16)Art's standard saucers fly great, but sometimes you just want to try something different. Details are hidden below the page break. Convert a 38mm, 12" saucer to a 3x 24mm cluster. Brief: When he was ... [Read More]
Review: Deuce XL5 (2010-12-24)The Deuce XL5 was my Descon-13 entry and, for the record, the following were the attributes as they applied to the contest: no Micro-Maxx, x2 cluster, sci-fi, comedy(?), most parts from a ... [Read More]
Review: THOY - Snipe (2010-12-30)The Snipe, which flies on a cluster of three 24mm motors, is a typical MPR kit. I received the Snipe in 2002 as a prize in EMRR's Fantasy Rocket Photo Contest. The manufacturer, THOY, has been ... [Read More]
Mega Review: Art Applewhite Double Helix Monocopters (2011-01-11)Art's Double Helix is new twist on the monocopter (pun intended)--it has two wings and flies on two motors. In fact, it's more or less two Helix Monocopters stuck end to end. Technically, it's not a ... [Read More]
Mega Review: A Semroc Flood! (2011-01-23)This post covers several from my Semroc Fleet: Gee'hod SLS Sky Hook Recruiter Space Probe LAUNCH Missile Gee'hod This is the latest in Semroc's line of Groonies (Grown-up Goonies). Inspired by ... [Read More]
Mega Review: Motors (2011-01-24)Here are my motor reviews from EMRR. AeroTech G77R (updated!) AeroTech G79W (updated!) Quest D5-0 Plugged Ellis Mountain SU J110 (out-of-production) Ellis Mountain SU J228 (out-of-production) ... [Read More]
On testing planes on rockets: (2011-02-06)Over the years, I've seen numerous photos of what appeared to be models of aircraft attached to rockets (ref: Photos of odd, interesting, vintage rockets ). One reader (R2K) posed the question ... [Read More]
The Bloodhound SCC, HTP, and HTPB (2011-02-15)If I knew this, I'd forgotten it. The Bloodhound SSC will use a 'different' kind of hybrid engine - catalyzed High Test Peroxide (HTP) + good ol' HTPB. Clark Lindsey found an article about ... [Read More]
NERVA testing videos (2011-03-13)R2K dug up some historical footage of the NERVA Nuclear Rocket Engine facilities, including some test firings. As a bonus, he posted a video about Soviet nuclear thermal rocket engines. The ... [Read More]
Project Morpheus, tethered test #4, LIVE (2011-05-05)I caught yesterday's hover test of Project Morpheus via their UStream feed . Lots of waiting for a short flight event. They Tweet in real time so I'll probably check status there before ... [Read More]
Armadillo Supermod testing has begun (2011-05-07)While JSC is tweaking their methane-powered version of the Quad, Armadillo has begun testing their pointy, fin-legged Supermod. It spat "A bit of fire ... but not as much as we wanted." ... [Read More]
New composite motors coming (2011-08-12)As discussed on YORF , a new line of composite motors have been developed by the German manufacturer Klima. These are currently being CE certified. Here's the most interesting revelation ... [Read More]
Big a$$ project of the day...this is what I call a supersized serving! (2011-08-25)Check out SMR ground testing the ejection charges on his recycling container Jayhawk, the JayCoke Zero . You can read all about the build here (direct link to the page showing the full view, ... [Read More]
Fork Rocket Ready to Launch (2011-09-16)Why would anyone want to do this? To do strength of materials testing on forks, of course! I had no idea how to categorize this post. I guess it goes under sport rocketry since modroc motors ... [Read More]
Hmm, I smell a new project (2011-09-26)a dummy fires out of a mock-up of a cockpit during testing of the escape system for the LTV A-7BE Corsair II at Naval Weapons Center (NWC) China Lake, California , a photo by aeroman3 on Flickr. [Read More]
Videos of the rocket-boosted XFY-1 Pogo (2011-10-25)Upon further digging, I found videos of the rocket-powered aerodynamics testing of 0.133 scale rocket powered Convair XFY-1 "Pogo" models. I previously have posted a couple of still shots of ... [Read More]
Estes E12 certified!?! (2011-10-29)The following motor has been certified by NAR Standards & Testing for general use as a Model Rocket Motor effective September 29, 2011. ************************************* Estes: E ... [Read More]
CalTech Target Rocket (2011-11-03)I previously posted a photo of the business end of this rocket. The poster didn't have many details and said it was known as the CT target rocket . Tonight, I decided to look further and found both ... [Read More]
Nevada Test Site photo gallery (2011-11-17)If you are interesting the history of nuclear testing, NERVA and other propulsion programs, photos of explosions, and big holes in the desert, you may like Nevada National Security Site Office's ... [Read More]
Feed reader stars, tweets, and other interesting links (2012-03-02)'The ZipSter' Planning Space Diver Powered Rocket Flight on Interorbital Booster- Spaceports - German SkyDiver Olav Zipser will ride a Interorbital Systems’ SR 145 rocket to 131,000 ft., ... [Read More]
Feed reader stars, tweets and other interesting links (2012-03-06)Booms ...brought to you via High Power Rocketry (and the Energetic Materials Research and Testing Center at New Mexico Tech. Year anniversaries: Fukushima (March 11), X-37B OTV-2 (March 5). ... [Read More]
Your daily dose of vintage miscellany (LONG) (2012-03-24)Starting with something you don't see everyday: A-12 perched upside down for radar testing. V-1 pulse jet by Ford!?! ... [Read More]
Links roundup (2012-04-12)NASA Preps Atomic Clock for Deep Space GPS - Space.com - Accurate and stable clocks are central to position (orbit, attitude) control and communications and this will help immensely on both ... [Read More]
Links roundup (2012-04-23)Falcon 9/Dragon Launch Delayed One Week - Parabolic Arc Graupel alert! - DCist - before this Spring, I had never heard of graupel. More info in coming out about Planetary Resources in ... [Read More]
Avengers! (2012-05-07)I, like millions of other comic book/action film fans, saw Marvel's The Avengers last weekend. I thought it was great but won't bore you with a review ( Rotten Tomatoes ). See it, just see it! ... [Read More]
ATK announces the details of their Liberty rocket (2012-05-09)(via Space.com ) ParabolicArc provided the following synopsis of the announcement. Clark Lindsey has now posted the press release. Kent ... [Read More]
Launch Report 2012-4 "Lucky 13" (2012-05-26)Location: Old National Pike Park, Mt. Airy, MD ( NARHAMS ) Weather: mostly sunny, hot (96 on the field!), wind 0-5 mph Total flights: Today - 13; YTD - 30 Total motors: Today - 13; YTD - 36 Motors ... [Read More]
Little Joe Rocket Testing (2012-06-13)Little Joe Rocket Testing , a photo by San Diego Air & Space Museum Archives on Flickr. [Read More]
Links roundup (2012-06-17)I've still been busy and haven't been looking at a lot of random stuff on the web. Here's all I have: ARB test Flights , Air Command (6/18, Katz) - Ttesting Air Reservoir Boosters ... [Read More]
Links roundup (mostly off-topic stuff) (2012-07-05)Been slacking on the random Internet surfing. Here's all I have: Dude, here is your flying car ! Wisconsin freeway buckles due to the heat, SUV takes off. Whoa! Testing the LGM-118A ... [Read More]
PhoneSat 1.0 (2012-08-27)SpaceRef has an article about NASA Ames PhoneSat project. PhoneSat is a based on the standard 4" Cubesat and reportedly costs a meager $3500. The off-the-shelf hardware includes the ... [Read More]
Ten military testing videos (2013-03-28)From German V-2 failures to a robot dog tossing cinder blocks, Jalopnik presents The Ten Most Unbelievable Military Testing Videos . You can argue the 'most' and the 'unbelievable' but they are ... [Read More]
Micro- and Mini-Hybrid's soon to be available (2013-06-20)Dr. Leland R. Dexter has announced that he, through Micro Nitro Rocketry , will be producing "Caldera-style" Micro and Mini Hybrids. Rene Caldera designed and sold parts kits for ... [Read More]
New hypersonic space plane and precision munitions proficiency (2013-09-18)I found both these items vis the Unwanted Blog. First up is an artist's concept of DARPA's Experimental Spaceplane (XS-1) program . They have issued an RFI for a hypersonic 'airplane like' vehicle ... [Read More]
1990's futurism and a simple rocket tip (2014-02-09)I just found a few old issues of Boy's Life and spotted an article by Issac Asimov, entitled "Driverless Cars, Planes in Space: Isaac Asimov Looks at the Future of Travel." He made numerous ... [Read More]
Terror in the Sky Airfest (updated with a discussion of tolerances in design) (2014-07-23)Braving the 100 degree humiture, I traipsed out this afternoon to a local park to fly a couple of low tech water rockets and my Blade 180-QX Quadcopter. My drone piloting skills suck...hence the ... [Read More]
New solid propellant separates the fuel from the oxidizer (2014-10-24)"Los Alamos National Laboratory scientists recently flight tested a new rocket design that includes a high-energy fuel and a motor design that also delivers a high degree of safety. "What we're ... [Read More]
B-58 Hustler on a rocket... (2015-03-19)Check out this cool vintage video of NACA/Langley testing subscale models of the B-58. One rocket with canted motors...or two rockets strapped together? [Read More]
Rainy day ekranoplan thoughts (2015-12-02)It's been too rainy to prime and even get in a swing test. I decided to make a Rocksim model just for kicks. Despite having put in all sorts of crazy winged things with pods and pods on pods, I was ... [Read More]
Launch Report 2016-4 (solo) (2016-06-09)Location: solo Weather: High 70's, sunny, wind ~5-15 Total flights: Today - 6; YTD - 38 Total motors: Today - 6; YTD - 38 Motors by class YTD: MMX-1, 1/2A-2, A-6, B-2, C-14, D-3, E-5, F-3, G-2 Well ... [Read More]
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