Team WikiSat

Hi Rick,
Sorry for the delay but Stage1 development keeps me very busy.


We have got very bad luck! Wind was very strong and finally our balloon has got a blowout. Next launch will be in February 2012:
http://code.google.com/p/moon-20/wiki/W ... n_Launch11

Science is like this... Slowly. See the Launch10 video here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w66rL3VkFPQ

Best,
Joshua

Hi Joshua,

How are things going? We recntly experienced a set back in Sugar Shot to Space and are working hard to remedy the problem
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NuxTAv71Xac

On a positive note, in an other project I'm on we have finished our N2O/propane sustainer. Since Paul is extending the N-Prize for one more year we are considering applying just in case our vehicle meets the requirements...not sure if we can meet the total launch cost though.

Rick

Hi Rick,

I saw your Sugar Shot engine test, you are doing a great job. Me happens very often but mistakes are the path to the learning.

After nine months trying to validate the ignition system in Near-space, we succeed and, even our rocket was not ignited (Just the second stage, not the whole Launcher), we proven that ignition system works and GPS is reliable:

See some Near-space launch videos and other ugly experiences before:
Launch12a http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BESlb-UmOAc
Launch11b http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wx5e9T5cAuA
Launch11a http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBEMlh9663Y
Launch10 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w66rL3VkFPQ
Launch08 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGFtU-O8Gbg
Launch07 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wk1g50NSn2M
Launch01 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJ9J6aCmkxs

Best,
Joshua Tristancho

Hi guys,
We did it again. We succeed to launch our 13rd rockoon in the nearspace. The liftoff was somehow chaotic so we do not know where the rocket went. The rocket is a simplified version of the second stage of the WikiLauncher because we are validating the method of launch from a PVC tube connected to the balloon.

Launch13b http://youtu.be/bdqZuvb2XSs

Ignition must be faster than now because burst shakes the launching ramp very early. Rocket must liftoff before this vibration.

We are working hard in the engine part. As soon we fix this problem we will have another attempt (I guess before next September)

Press on!
Joshua Tristancho

Congrats on how far you have got so far. On the registers jokey balloon launch project they have also run into high altitude ignition problems but they look like they have some interesting solutions it might be worth you having a look there.


http://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/07/12/lohan_ignition/

I'm not surprised that the Aerotech motor didn't light. It looks like they used an endburner motor with a Crapperhead (Copperhead) igniter. These are hard to light even under normal conditions.

The Cesaroni motor had a better chance of igniting. I bet it would work if they added more pyrogen or some AP shavings to the igniter. Another thought would be to include a piece of an Estes BP motor at the top of the AP grain inside the casing. BP motors are much easy to ignite than AP motors.

Thanks Alex and Dave.
I will try to do my best for the next launch at the end of August.

Best,
Joshua Tristancho

There is an update on solutions to the ignition system to be used on the registers flight it might help you tristancho on yours.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/07/18/lohan_igniter/

Interesting.
Thanks Alex. I really need to fix the igniter problem and this can help.

Best,
Joshua

See our WikiSat V3.2 with a videolink in the 5.8 GHz band

http://www.wikisat.org/?p=632

Best,
Joshua

Its successfully been tested at low pressure

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/08/01/rehab_result/

Right. Thanks Alex.

Also, we will have our last launch (Without the N-Prize extension) on September 2nd 2012 at 06:00 UTC. See details here https://twitter.com/wikisatlive

Best,
Joshua

Good luck tomorrow!

Any news Joshua?

Sure!

Today we have got a pre-launch test based on a WikiBalloon without rocket and without satellite. Tommorrow is the official one.

The Launch 15 is placed at Canary Islands. It is the first time we launch from here and our objective is to demonstrate that it is feasible in terms of legislation and operation. We will not ignite the rocket for this time.

You can see realtime information here:

http://code.google.com/p/moon-20/wiki/W ... n_Launch15

Best,
Joshua Tristancho