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Colorado Springs, Colorado USA

web site: www.ApogeeRockets.com

The Spek rocket is another ne product from:

Kit #05009

Spek

(Two-Stage Altitude Rocket for Altimeters)

P/N Description Qty

Parts List

15577 Spec Fins 1/16” X 3” X 4.5” 1

19012 13-to-18mm Ogive Transition (VF) 1

19207 Vac Form Nose Cone VFNC-18 1

29519 100# Kevlar X 6 ft 1

29004 2” Mylar Streamer X 18” 1

31128 Spek Instruction Sheet A 1

31129 Spek Instruction Sheet B 1

35535 13mm 3-Fin Alignment Guide Cardstock 1

47122 Clear Plastic Bag 6x14x2mil 1

Paint supplies (spray paint, brushes, etc.)

Wood sealer

Sandpaper (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 speci-

cally for the National Association of Rocketry’s contest

for the “Altimeter Altitude” event. In the single-stage

altimeters that t 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 n alignment guide to

assure that the ns are perfectly straight and evenly

spaced around the rocket. This lowers the drag, and

allows the rocket to y to new record-setting altitudes.

Skill Level 2: Previous Rocket Experience Sug-

gested

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

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

nose on instead of gluing it, so the payload

tube can be removed if you use a smaller

altimeter than the FireFly.

For higher ights, round the edges of the

ns with sandpaper – or better yet – sand an

airfoil shape into them. Test t the ns into

the slots on the n alignment xture. 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 y higher. It also

improves the rocket’s appearance. Apply the

with the n lines. Test t the smaller set of

ns into the xture. Position the trailing edge

of the ns on the tick-marks that are etched

onto the n lines. When you know how the

ns are attached, you can remove them from

the n alignment xture and apply wood glue

to the root edge and then put them back into

the n alignment xture. Allow the glue time

to dry before removing the n xture.

10. Repeat the process of attaching the

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 llets to the ns and

the launch lug (if added). Lay the rocket

A3-4T Estes 733 223.5

Tape

booster stage

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 eld that isn’t

near any power lines, trees, or low ying

aircraft. The larger the eld, the greater

your chances of recovering your rocket. The

launch area around the pad must be free of

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 deector.

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-

Misre 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.