Spek - Apogee Rockets · Page 2 Assemble The Spek Rocket 1. Remove the parts for the fin alignment fixture from the cardboard sheet. Dry as-semble the parts as shown. Make sure the

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Colorado Springs, Colorado USAweb site: www.ApogeeRockets.com

The Spek rocket is another fine product from:

Kit #05009Spek(Two-Stage Altitude Rocket for Altimeters)

P/N Description Qty

Parts List13000 Coupler 18mm X 0.35” 210055 Engine Mount Tube AT-13/8.0” 110065 Payload Tube AT-18/1.55” 113012 Coupler AC-13 113020 CR 10/13 (green) Engine Block 113051 1/8” Launch Lug 1” Long 115577 Spec Fins 1/16” X 3” X 4.5” 119012 13-to-18mm Ogive Transition (VF) 119207 Vac Form Nose Cone VFNC-18 129519 100# Kevlar X 6 ft 129004 2” Mylar Streamer X 18” 131128 Spek Instruction Sheet A 131129 Spek Instruction Sheet B 135535 13mm 3-Fin Alignment Guide Cardstock 147122 Clear Plastic Bag 6x14x2mil 1 Other Tools and Materials NeededPencilHobby knifeWood glueSuper glue (thick viscosity)Plastic packaging tapePaint supplies (spray paint, brushes, etc.)Wood sealerSandpaper (220 and 400 grit)Wood dowel for spreading glue inside tubes

Spek

p/n 31128

Shock Cord Anchor Pattern

The Spek is a two-stage rocket designed specifi-cally for the National Association of Rocketry’s contest for the “Altimeter Altitude” event. In the single-stage configuration, it can use a 13mm diameter 1/4A, 1/2A, or A-size rocket motor. When adding the booster stage, you can use it in the “B-altitude” event, because two A-size engines added together is equivalent to the power of a “B” rocket motor.

The dual-diameter rocket is sized (at the top) for altimeters that fit into an 18mm payload tube. With its custom vacuum-formed transition section the Spek then reduces down to a 13mm motor at the bottom to decrease the weight and lower the drag. This rocket also comes with a cardstock fin alignment guide to assure that the fins are perfectly straight and evenly spaced around the rocket. This lowers the drag, and allows the rocket to fly to new record-setting altitudes.

Skill Level 2: Previous Rocket Experience Sug-gested

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Assemble The Spek Rocket

1. Remove the parts for the fin alignment fixture from the cardboard sheet. Dry as-semble the parts as shown. Make sure the tabs on the cross pieces protrude through the side plates. Apply a bead of wood glue over the tabs on both sides of the tool. Set the piece aside to allow the glue to dry.

2. Separate the tubes. Sand off the little nubs of paper on the ends of the tube using medium grit sandpaper.

3. Glue one of the red paper tube cou-plers into the base (as far as it can go) of the nose cone using thick viscosity CyA glue (also called super glue). Set it aside to allow the glue to harden.

4. Taking the point of your hobby knife, carefully drill a small hole into the base of the shoulder on the vacuum form plastic transition. The hole only needs to be slightly larger than the diameter of the yellow shock cord.

OPTIONAL: For small altimeters, you will connect the nose cone directly to the transi-tion (see “Prepping for Launch” on page 5). But if you’re using the PerfectFlite FireFly altimeter, you’ll need to use the payload tube. Perform the following two steps to add the payload tube.

5. Glue the remaining red paper tube coupler into the front of the plastic transition as far as it will go using thick viscosity CyA glue. Set it aside to allow the glue to harden.

6. Using wood glue, attach the payload tube (the one with the three small holes in it) onto the red coupler at the base of the plas-tic nose cone. Optional: You can tape the nose on instead of gluing it, so the payload tube can be removed if you use a smaller altimeter than the FireFly.

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1Glue

(both sides)

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7. Fine sand the balsa wood laser-cut sheets using 200 and then 400 grit sand-paper before removing the fins. Carefully remove all the pieces from the sheet by free-ing the edges with a sharp hobby knife.

For higher flights, round the edges of the fins with sandpaper – or better yet – sand an airfoil shape into them. Test fit the fins into the slots on the fin alignment fixture. If they are too tight, you will need to sand down the thickness slightly.

8. Sealing the surface of the balsa with sanding sealer reduces the skin friction drag on the rocket, allowing it to fly higher. It also improves the rocket’s appearance. Apply the sealer with a paintbrush. When dry, sand it with 400 grit sandpaper. Repeat the proce-dure until the balsa grain is filled and the fins look and feel smooth.

9. Slide the fin alignment fixture onto the long body tube over the end that is etched with the fin lines. Test fit the smaller set of fins into the fixture. Position the trailing edge of the fins on the tick-marks that are etched onto the fin lines. When you know how the fins are attached, you can remove them from the fin alignment fixture and apply wood glue to the root edge and then put them back into the fin alignment fixture. Allow the glue time to dry before removing the fin fixture.

10. Repeat the process of attaching the fins, but this time use the larger fins and at-tach them to the short booster stage tube.

OPTIONAL: For competition flights, it is recommended that you launch the rocket from a piston launcher or from a launch tower. But if you do not have one, you’ll need to use a standard launch rod. In that case, install the launch lug as follows.

11. Glue the balsa wood standoff to the front end of the body tube in the position marked on the tube. When the glue is dry, glue the launch lug to the stand-off using wood glue. Make sure the lug is parallel to the length of body tube.

12. Add wood glue fillets to the fins and the launch lug (if added). Lay the rocket horizontally to let the glue dry.

p/n 31129

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Smaller fins

Sustainer (upper stage)

Larger fins usedin booster stage

Fin location line

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13. OPTIONAL: Glue the green engine block into the tube, 1-1/4 inches (3.2cm) deep. To save weight, you can leave out this piece.

14. Cut out the shock cord anchor from the front of instruction sheet. Spread glue on one side. Take the free end of the shock cord and lay it diagonally across the paper. Fold it twice on the marked lines, and then curl it slightly so it will fit into the long tube with the fins.

15. Glue the shock cord mount into the front of the long tube with the fins on it. Make sure it is deep enough to allow the payload section to be inserted into the tube.

16. Thread the free end of the yellow shock cord through the hole in the base of the transition. Tie a big enough knot in the end of the cord so it can’t be pulled out through the hole. Using thick CyA adhesive, glue the knot inside the base of the plastic transition.

17. Cut a piece of tape (packing tape works great), and lay it under the shock cord close to the nose cone. Place the end of the streamer on half of it, and fold the remainder of the tape over the top. Press on the tape to make sure it doesn’t come up.

18. Roll up the streamer and place it in the rocket. Put the payload and nose cone on top. The lower stage can be coupled to the rocket with the red coupler or it can be painted separately. Roll a piece of paper and insert it into the back of the rocket to hold the model while you paint it. We recommend a fluorescent color like orange, pink or yel-low to make it easier to find the rocket after touchdown. Allow the paint time to dry.

Congratulations! Your Spek rocket is now complete.

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1-1/4” (3.2cm)

1.0” (2.5cm) minimum

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Prepping for Launch

If you are using the PerfectFlite FireFly altimeter, you’ll need the long payload tube. If you’re using either the MicroPeak or the Adrel altimeter, you can place the altimeter directly into the nose cone. If you do that, drill a small hole into the plastic transition section to allow air in for the altimeter’s pres-sure sensor.

Place the nose on top, and secure it in place with a piece of tape wrapped around the perimeter.

Launch Supplies Needed

To launch your rocket you will need the following supplies:

• A model rocket launching system• Flame resistant recovery wadding• Recommended Rocket Engines: See the motor matrix to the right.

Rocket Preflight

A. Crumple and insert a sheet of recov-ery wadding into the body tube.

B. Roll the streamer and insert it into the tube with the shock cord. Then install the payload bay or nose cone.

C. Tape the nose cone onto the payload tube (illustrations top-right on this page).

D. If flying the sustainer stage alone as a single stage, it is preferable to hold the engine in the tube by wrapping tape about the portion of the motor that extends out the rear of the tube as shown.

E. If you’re flying the Spek as a two-stage rocket, the motor in the top stage is friction fitted into the tube.

Spek Rocket Recommended MotorsEngine Manufacturer Altitude (ft) Altitude (m)

1/4A3-3T Estes 133 40.71/2A3-4T Estes 341 104.1A10-3T Estes 682 208.0A3-4T Estes 733 223.5

A10-0T / A3-4T Estes 1206 367.7

A & B

E

Drill small hole

Tape

Tape

Tape

Tape

D

Motor Retention for when the sustainer is flown alone (without the booster stage)

Motor Retention for when the sustainer is flown with the

booster stage

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F. For the booster stage the motor is inserted so the motor extends out the back 3/8” (0.9 cm) and then held in place by wrap-ping tape around the perimeter of the motor and the tube.

G. The two stages are joined together by inserting the upper stage motor (the portion that sticks out) into the front of the booster stage.

H. Insert and secure the engine igniter as directed on the package the engines came with.

Countdown and Launch Procedure

Fly your rocket on a large field that isn’t near any power lines, trees, or low flying aircraft. The larger the field, the greater your chances of recovering your rocket. The launch area around the pad must be free of dry weeds and brown grass. Launch only during calm weather with very little or no wind and good visibility.

10. Remove the safety key from the launch controller.

9. Slide the launch lugs over the launch rod to place the rocket on the pad. The rocket should slide freely over the rod.

8. Attach the micro-clips to the igniter. The clips must not touch each other or the metal blast deflector.

7. Stand back from your rocket as far as the launch wire allows (at least 5 meters - 15 feet).

6. Insert the safety key to arm the launch system. The light (or buzzer) on the control-ler should come on.

Give a loud countdown 5 ... 4 ... 3 ... 2 ... 1 ... LAUNCH!

Push and hold the the button until the engine ignites. Then remove the safety key and place the safety cap on the launch rod.

*National Association of Rocketry

**Kevlar® is a brand name of E.I. DuPont for their selection of aramid fibers. Only DuPont makes Kevlar®

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Misfire Procedure

Occasionally the igniter will burn, but the motor will fail to ignite. If this happens, the cause is that the pyrogen on the igniter was not in contact with the engines propellant. When an ignition failure occurs, remove the safety key from the launch controller and wait 60 seconds before approaching the rocket. Remove the old igniter from the engine and install a new one. Make sure that the igniter is insert fully into the engine and touches the propellant. Secure the igniter as directed on the engine package and repeat the countdown and launch procedure.

F Tape

Booster Stage

Always follow the NAR* Model Rocket Safety Code when launching model rockets.