N Project: 4" Aluminium/Glass Fibre/Carbon Fibre Rocket, Part 7

Top and second from top: in order to access and activate the BlackSky AltAcc recording accelerometers in the electronics bay on the erected rocket, we had to resort to driving one of our rental cars as closely as possible to the launch pad. This makeshift platform enabled Marco Schenker to turn on the electronics and confirm their operation. Dave Triano of Shadow Composites can be seen preparing the igniter (top photo, right).

Centre: with the rocket thus ready for launch, Dave inserts the igniter into the Aerotech N2000 motor.

The final photo shows a look back at the rocket waiting for the launch command on the pad, as our team receded to safety.

N Project: 4" Aluminium/Glass Fibre/Carbon Fibre Rocket, Part 6

Top photo shows team members Eugene Trubowitz, Dejan Romancuk, and Marco Schenker weighing the fully flight-ready 4" aluminium/glass fibre/carbon fibre rocket at the BALLS launch director's position. The rocket and its N2000 motor came in at 17.1 kilograms. This weight also included the ejection charges, recovery system, and altimeter batteries.

After the weight check, the submission of the required papers, and a visual inspection, we were cleared to take the rocket out to the launch pads. The bottom photo shows Dave Triano of Shadow Composites (second from right) assisting us in inserting the rocket into guide rail of the launch pad.

N Project: 4" Aluminium/Glass Fibre/Carbon Fibre Rocket, Part 5

Top: final pre-launch work at our BALLS X launch preparation area out on Black Rock dry lake, on Saturday, September 30, 2000. Marco Schenker (left), a friend from our teenage model rocket days, is holding the N2000 motor before insertion into the Dr. Rocket motor case which doubled as the lower airframe of the 4" aluminium/glass fibre/carbon fibre rocket.

Second photo from top: the author of this blog, inserting the greased N2000 motor while Marco Schenker is holding the motor case. Team member Erol Ünala (left) is filming the procedure.

Third photo from top: our esteemed friend and US partner Dave Triano of Shadow Composites (left) and project initiator Professor Eugene Trubowitz (second from left) are seen preparing to seal the motor case with the forward closure. Team members Marco Schenker and Erol Ünala are looking on.

Bottom: Eugene Trubowitz securing the upper airframe to the loaded lower airframe section. Team members Marcel Busse (left), Marco Schenker (right) and Dejan Romancuk (far right) are standing by to assist.

Second photo from the top by Zane Reed Johnson; all other photos by the author of this blog.