Flying 29mm HPR SpaceX Falcon 9

thingiverse

This uses the excellent Falcon 9 model by AntsinAfrica as a foundation, modifying it to make it a flying model on hobby composite 29mm rocket motors from G thru H power to altitudes from 900' to 2500'. Being printed, it is heavy - so it will need reasonably high impulse motors. It is intended that the model can be constructed for display, and using the clever modular structure of the original model, upgraded with components to make a flying version. It includes two types of payloads - a standard payload fairing and a Crew Dragon. With the standard payload fairing it has room for electronic payloads. It can be flown with motors that use chemical delay but is probably best flown with compact avionics for low speed apogee parachute deployment. An avionics mount for an Altus Metrum EasyMini is included. The following basic mods have been made: + It replaces the model second stage motor with a retention system for parachute recovery. + The payload bay has also been modified so it can contain a real satellite payload with sensors. More information soon. + A motor mount arranged to use a 29mm fiberglass motor tube has been integrated. The display F9 motor mount can be removed and replaced with the flying motor mount. The motor mount integrates a screw-on motor retainer. + A 3D printed fin can has been integrated into the motor mount. This is planned to be printed in translucent PETG for strength and subtleness. + Integrated stand off rail buttons have been integrated into the airframe for rail launch. + An avionics bay has been integrated into the second stage airframe. Flying version still in development so for the moment this is a placeholder. The initial redesign and Open Rocket simulations are promising. The OpenRocket simulation will be part of the design package. The pic with fins above is for the flying version - .stl to be uploaded - the gray parts are the replacements for flying. I am printing in PETG for robustness though I suspect ABS or strengthened PLA should work as well. In addition to a printer and filament, the design needs the following rocketry specific items: + An 8" section of 29mm fiberglass motor tube - I use Madcow Rocketry components. + A recovery harness - I like kevlar tubing. + A parachute - size still TBD. + Avionics - I like either an Altus Metrum EasyMini or xxx for a simple HPR rocket like this. A possible long term upgrade is deploy the ARLISS S4 satellite from the payload bay after apogee. It looks like it's possible.