Python

Monday, 29 May 2000
I finally finished this model last night. It really should look better for all the time I spent on it. The paint job looks great but the stock Estes stick-on decals just don't help the look much. I shoulda known better I guess. But other than that it is a really cool looking rocket, long and sleek with knife-edge fins. Just the thing to try out my new 24mm RMS.
Monday, 19 June 2000
I think I am going to turn this one into a two-stage rocket. I will see if I can find another one cheap and create a booster out of the lower section of the fin can. Hopefully the two-stage version will provide a more impressive flight. Otherwise I could just launch it with an "F". Also, I think I will have it recover in two sections to try to avoid further damage.

Python Flights (4)
Date Flight #Motors Motor ISP Description
6/8/2000 40 1 D12-5 20 Low arcing flight. Possible rod whip due to 1/8" rod instead of 3/16". An "E" motor is probably a better choice for this rocket. Stock chute allowed a hard landing. Body tube suffered an "Estes Dent".
7/2/2000 45 1 D12-5 20 Nice flight with a little weathercock.
7/8/2000 55 1 D12-5 20 Another cruise missle and another SC separation. Lee Bell caught upper section on the fly. Fin can landed without damage.
2/7/2004 83 1 E18-7W RMS 40 Great motor for this rocket. First RMS launch. The Copperhead ignitor failed, luckily Ray loaned one of his "special" ones. It worked the first time. Ejection occured at apogee but chute was stuck in airframe. Need to remember not to wrap the chute in the heat shield next time. Rocket desended horizontilly and suffered no damage on impact.

Total ISP: 100 newton-seconds

Average ISP: 25.00 newton-seconds

Python Flights (4)
Date	Flight	#Motors	Motor	ISP	Description
6/8/2000	40	1	D12-5	20	Low arcing flight. Possible rod whip due to 1/8" rod instead of 3/16". An "E" motor is probably a better choice for this rocket. Stock chute allowed a hard landing. Body tube suffered an "Estes Dent".
7/2/2000	45	1	D12-5	20	Nice flight with a little weathercock.
7/8/2000	55	1	D12-5	20	Another cruise missle and another SC separation. Lee Bell caught upper section on the fly. Fin can landed without damage.
2/7/2004	83	1	E18-7W RMS	40	Great motor for this rocket. First RMS launch. The Copperhead ignitor failed, luckily Ray loaned one of his "special" ones. It worked the first time. Ejection occured at apogee but chute was stuck in airframe. Need to remember not to wrap the chute in the heat shield next time. Rocket desended horizontilly and suffered no damage on impact.

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Total ISP:	100 newton-seconds
Average ISP:	25.00 newton-seconds