Purdue student attempts launch of high-powered rocket
>>Print ViewPublication Date: 03/23/2009
Provided by Eric Barlow
A rocket takes flight Sunday at the Tripoli Indiana Rocketry Association's first high powered rocket launch.
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One Purdue student is bringing high-power rocketry to West Lafayette in a quest for a membership that would allow him to gain permission for higher caliber air-launches.
Tom Feldman, junior in the School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, launched an M-class level three rocket outside of Tippecanoe County on Ash Grove Launch Field on Sunday, bringing one of the first launches of this caliber to Lafayette.
Vic Barlow, assistant professor in the Department of Computer and Information Technology, explained there are many levels of rocket launching. Letters A-L are essentially amateur launching, which most people could do. Feldman launched an M-class rocket, which requires special preparation and permission.
Feldman’s goal in launching this high-powered rocket was to pass part one of a three-part test to become a member of the National Association of Rocketry.
“This is the first high-caliber rocket launch ever (near) Tippecanoe County,” Barlow said.
“To certify (for the first level test), you have to build a rocket by yourself, assemble the motor, have it inspected and fly it. It has to fly successfully and be recovered undamaged, and able to re-fly again,” he said.
Unfortunately, Feldman was unsuccessful when launching his rocket. Although it reached a height of around 15,000 feet, the rocket fell back to earth in multiple pieces; this has not discouraged him.
“It was a good solid learning experience,” Feldman said. “It didn’t go exactly as planned, but some smaller things did go well that we were uncertain in the beginning.
“The rocket I did launch is fractured – it was unsuccessful – but a lot of good things were learned along the road.”
Feldman explained he was trying to pass level one to move toward a National Association of Rocketry membership.
“The way it works is after you pass, you are allowed to buy bigger and stronger motors, so without doing this you are limited to the motors of the levels below you,” he said.
Feldman has spent a lot of time creating the rocket he launched Sunday and plans to continue his hobby of rocket building.
John Tsohas, a graduate student at Purdue, watched the launch and was impressed with Feldman’s rocket.
“I’d say it’s an important first step to bringing high-power rocketry to the Lafayette community; Tom did a great job,” he said.