GDT2 - Two Stage Rocket With Live Video Transmission

V-Rock 6 - Single Stage Rocket with Video Transmission

The V-Rock 6 flight is a continuation of the flight program to validate the design and performance of the P76 payload system. The same flight configuration (airframe and payload) with similar performance motors have been flown on 3 previous flights (V-Rock 3 through V-Rock 5).

This flight also launched a book. The author of "Collected Thoughts" requested our team to launch his new book via rocket. It was decided to launch the book in CD-ROM format. However due to the 76 mm internal diameter of the airframe, a conventional CD would not fit. We managed to locate a miniature CDROM, shown in the photos below.

Features of the P76 payload are:

Advanced fight computer with non-volatile memory, altimeter, accelerometer, main and drogue chute deployment, software backup pyro timers.
Backup flight computer with programmed time events for drogue chute deployment.
Real-time in-flight telemetry transmitted back to the ground station.
GPS data transmitted back via telemetry channel.
Real-time in-flight color video transmission.
Remote control and testing of all payload functions via an umbilical cable that detaches at launch. Individual electronic modules can be remotely turned on or off, and the payload is remotely armed.

	This is the booster being prepared with the 54mm motor casing visible.
	This is the final preparation phase. The main chute is being installed below the payload section.
	This is the CD-ROM just prior to installation.
	Here is the assembled rocket, complete with electronics, parachutes, and pyro charges.
	Final preparation - installing the igniters in the motor.
	This is the dumb rocket guy photo. It's a mandatory photograph for all launches.
	Lift-off
	The rocket clears the launch tower.
	The rocket rises.
	The rocket is erected fully assembled in the launch tower. As you can see the rocket is approximately 4 metres (12 feet) tall.
	The rocket is now out of frame. You can see the tracking antenna increasing in elevation.
	The rocket is now out of frame. The helical tracking antenna continues to increase in elevation to follow the rocket.
	On-Board Video Image.
	On-Board Video Image.
	On-Board Video Image.
	On-Board Video Image.
	The rocket landed in pretty good shape.
	The booster was not damaged by its 4th landing.. The CD-ROM can be seen attached to the shock cord.
	This view shows the payload section and video camera..
	Recovering the equipment.

	Rockets Down Under		V-Rock 6 Single Stage Rocket with Video Transmission
	David Boyd's Australian Rocketry Home Page