Further images documenting the construction of the 4" aluminium/glass fibre/carbon fibre N-motor rocket for the BALLS 10 experimental launch at Black Rock Desert in Nevada. The photos were taken at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology's machine shop in Zurich, in September of 2000.
Top photo shows the rear half of the rocket, essentially a Dr. Rocket 98 mm aluminium N motor case with welded aluminium fins. Aerodynamic fillets, consisting of a black epoxy mixture, have been applied over the weld lines.
Second photo from the top shows the project's initiator, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Professor Eugene Trubowitz, concurrently preparing the two 4" rockets of the project for the installation of the rail guides and their aluminum stand-offs. The epoxy fillets on the 4" aluminium/glass fibre/carbon fibre rocket in the foreground have in the meantime been sanded to the final configuration.
Third image depicts the custom-made aluminium centering ring and shoulder, mounting point for the glass fibre upper airframe section, screwed to the modified and threaded forward closure of the motor case.
Bottom image was taken during the first tentative assembly of the still unfinished and unpainted rocket at the Federal Institute of Technology, in mid-September 2000. The glass fibre upper airframe section has been crowned with the custom-made carbon fibre/steel nose cone. The rocket stood 2336 mm tall.
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