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Old 03-20-2010, 08:41 AM
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Doug Sams Doug Sams is offline
Old Far...er...Rocketeer
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Plano, TX resident since 1998.
Posts: 3,965
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CPMcGraw
But you understand what I was working toward, right? Slowing the rocket down just a tad by way of drag instead of by mass. Adding mass can bite you -- it makes the model fall faster, even under the parachute, which means higher impact V with the ground. By using drag, the increase in mass is minimal, so the descent rate remains lower.
I prefer adding drag instead of weight, too. An ounce of noseweight nearly doubles the weight. According to the Rocksim file, it was only 33 grams to start with.

BTW, not only does adding mass increase descent weight, it also increases separation forces imparted to the recovery harness. So, while that 30mph Dv is hard on the recovery system, so too is the extra ounce of mass at the screweye.

Doug

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