blackshire
12-14-2010, 05:57 PM
Hello All,
For those of you who would like to try your first scratchbuilt or kit-bashed scale model rocket (or would like to introduce young model rocketeers to this aspect of the hobby), the Japanese S-520 and SS-520 sounding rockets are simple scale subjects that have ample fin area and can be built using readily-available Estes parts.
Scale data on the single-stage S-520 and the two-stage SS-520 are in Peter Alway's "Rockets of the World: 2003 Supplement" (see: http://www.arapress.com/rotw_sup2003.php ). Links to more S-520 and SS-520 scale data and historical information are given below. A BT-50 size model of either rocket could use the 3:1 ogive nose cone from the Estes Alpha and Generic E2X, while the 3:1 ogive nose cone from the Estes Stormcaster and Bailout kits could be used in a BT-60 size model.
The SS-520 has a finless, spin-stabilized second stage whose spin is imparted by the first stage fins. An SS-520 scale model could also have a finless spinning upper stage; its motor could be ignited using the vented gap-staging method, and the first stage could be parachute-recovered or streamer-recovered by employing Evan "Buzz" Nau's gap-staged booster recovery system. In this method, the booster's internal motor mount/stuffer tube is blown out of the rear end of the booster body tube (remaining attached by a shock cord) by the upper stage motor at second stage ignition, with a parachute or streamer packed between the motor mount/stuffer tube and the booster body tube.
Below are several links to S-520 and SS-520 photographs, drawings, and information:
http://www.jaxa.jp/projects/rockets/s_rockets/index_e.html
www.isas.jaxa.jp/e/enterp/rockets/sounding/ss520.shtml
www.jaxa.jp/pr/brochure/pdf/01/rocket06.pdf
www.astronautix.com/lvs/ss520.htm
http://www.astronautix.com/lvs/s520.htm
http://www.isas.jaxa.jp/e/enterp/rockets/sounding/s520.shtml
http://www.isas.jaxa.jp/e/enterp/rockets/sounding/ss520.shtml
I hope this material will be useful.
For those of you who would like to try your first scratchbuilt or kit-bashed scale model rocket (or would like to introduce young model rocketeers to this aspect of the hobby), the Japanese S-520 and SS-520 sounding rockets are simple scale subjects that have ample fin area and can be built using readily-available Estes parts.
Scale data on the single-stage S-520 and the two-stage SS-520 are in Peter Alway's "Rockets of the World: 2003 Supplement" (see: http://www.arapress.com/rotw_sup2003.php ). Links to more S-520 and SS-520 scale data and historical information are given below. A BT-50 size model of either rocket could use the 3:1 ogive nose cone from the Estes Alpha and Generic E2X, while the 3:1 ogive nose cone from the Estes Stormcaster and Bailout kits could be used in a BT-60 size model.
The SS-520 has a finless, spin-stabilized second stage whose spin is imparted by the first stage fins. An SS-520 scale model could also have a finless spinning upper stage; its motor could be ignited using the vented gap-staging method, and the first stage could be parachute-recovered or streamer-recovered by employing Evan "Buzz" Nau's gap-staged booster recovery system. In this method, the booster's internal motor mount/stuffer tube is blown out of the rear end of the booster body tube (remaining attached by a shock cord) by the upper stage motor at second stage ignition, with a parachute or streamer packed between the motor mount/stuffer tube and the booster body tube.
Below are several links to S-520 and SS-520 photographs, drawings, and information:
http://www.jaxa.jp/projects/rockets/s_rockets/index_e.html
www.isas.jaxa.jp/e/enterp/rockets/sounding/ss520.shtml
www.jaxa.jp/pr/brochure/pdf/01/rocket06.pdf
www.astronautix.com/lvs/ss520.htm
http://www.astronautix.com/lvs/s520.htm
http://www.isas.jaxa.jp/e/enterp/rockets/sounding/s520.shtml
http://www.isas.jaxa.jp/e/enterp/rockets/sounding/ss520.shtml
I hope this material will be useful.