Apogee Aspire User manual

Brand: Apogee

Model: Aspire

Type: User manual

Page 1

Other Tools and Materials Needed

• Scissors

• Hobby Knife

• Pencil

• Wood Glue (or White Glue)

• FIXIT

Epoxy-Clay (www.ApogeeRockets.com/epoxy-clay.asp)

• Masking Tape

• Sandpaper & Sanding Block

• Ruler

• Sanding Sealer

• Paint Brush

• Spray Paint

Aspire Parts List

P/N Description Qty

10091 Airframe Tube (AT-24/3.75”) 1

10110 Airframe Tube (AT-29/13”) 2

13008 Airframe Coupler (AC-29) 1

13031 Centering Ring (CR18-24) 1

13035 Centering Ring (CR24-29) 4

13056 Launch lug (SBL-0328) 3” Long 1

19114 Plastic Nose Cone (PNC-29A) 1

15531 Balsa Fin Sheet 1

30305 Mylar Streamer 4” X 56 ” 1

29326 300# Kevlar Shock Cord (36” Long) 1

37012 Tube Marking Guide Sheet 1

41020 Decal Sheet 1

31048 Aspire Instruction Sheet A 1

31049 Aspire Instruction Sheet B 1

Kit # 5024

Another quality ying model rocket kit from:

Apogee Components, Inc.

3355 Fillmore Ridge Heights

Colorado Springs, CO 80907 USA

Visit our web site at: www.ApogeeRockets.com

Skill Level 2 - Previous Experience Suggested

The Apogee Aspire kit was designed with one purpose in

mind. To achieve the highest possible altitudes from 29mm

composite propellant motors. On the Apogee Components’

F10 motor, this rocket is capable of ying higher than 1 mile! It

can go even higher on 29mm G and H motors.

This is an easy to build kit, and can be further reinforced to

y with high thrust motors. By doing so, it is also capable of

speeds exceeding Mach 1 on a G80 rocket motor. WOW!

While the model is easy and straight-forward to build, I recom-

mend that you read the entire set of instructions rst. By doing

this, you’ll be able to construct this model in a very fast and

efcient manner.

Sheet A - P/N 31048

Page 2

Apogee Aspire Rocket Assembly

1. Fine sand the balsa die-cut sheets before

removing the ns. Carefully remove all the

pieces from the balsa sheet by freeing the edges

with a sharp hobby knife.

2. Group the four ns together, and gently

sand the edges as shown in the illustration.

3. Test t the red coupler in place into one

of the body tube sections (If you have trouble

inserting it, try sanding the coupler or peeling off

some of the red paper layer). Apply wood glue

around the perimeter to one end of the red tube

coupler. Quickly insert it 1/2 way into one end of

a 29mm diameter body tube. After the glue has

set, apply glue around the portion sticking out,

and insert into the other 29mm body tube.

Note: If you plan on using longer 29mm rocket

motors than the 3.5” (8.9 cm) long Apogee F10

composite propellant motor, you may omit the

next step.

4. Carefully glue one of the CR24-29 center-

ing rings into one end of the body tube assembly

using wood glue. Recess it 3-1/8 inch (7.9 cm)

into the tube from the end. It is easiest to push it

into the tube using a 29mm diameter rocket mo-

tor. From now on, this end of the tube will be the

aft end of the tube.

5. Cut out the tube marking guide from the

pattern sheet. Wrap the guide around the aft end

of the body tube and tape the ends together.

Mark the body tube at each of the arrow points.

Remove the marking guide.

6. Using a door frame, draw a pencil line

down the outside of the body tube at each pencil

mark. Label the launch lug line so you don’t glue

a n in the wrong position.

7. Apply glue to the root edge of one of

the ns. Allow the glue to dry slightly for a few

minutes, then attach it to one of the body tubes,

as shown in the illustration. Each n is attached

.75” (19mm) from the end of the tube. Make sure

the n is straight along the tube. Allow the n to

dry before proceeding with the next n. Repeat

this step three more times as you attach the

other two ns.

8. Apply a bead of wood glue to both sides of

each n-body tube joint. Pull your nger along

the joint to smooth out and remove the excess

glue. Lay the tubes horizontally while the glue

dries. (Note: If you plan on ying with high thrust

rocket motors to achieve supersonic speeds, it

is recommended that you apply a llet of FIXIT

Epoxy-clay (www.ApogeeRockets.com/epoxy-clay.

asp) to each of the ns to add extra strength.

.75” (19mm)

Mark Motor Casing

3-1/8” (7.9 cm)

Page 3

9. Using wood glue, attach the launch lug to

the tube. Position it on the pencil line, about 4

inches (10.2 cm) from the end of the tube near-

est the ns. Allow the glue to dry. (Note: If you

plan on ying with high thrust rocket motors to

achieve supersonic speeds, it is recommended

that you apply a llet of FIXIT

Epoxy-clay to

each side of the launch lug for extra strength.

10. Tie one end of the Kevlar

shock cord to

the loop on the base of the nose cone. Tape the

streamer to the shock cord, near the nose cone.

Make sure the streamer is securely attached so

that it can’t come off.

11. Cut the paper shock cord mount anchor

from the pattern sheet. Spread wood glue over

one side of the paper and position the free end

of the shock cord at a slight diagonal across the

length of the paper. Fold the paper twice at the

fold lines indicated on the pattern. Squeeze it

between your ngers, and at the same time, curl

the edges slightly to match the inside curvature

of the body tube. When the glue has set, glue

the assembly inside the body tube. Be sure to

position it far enough into the tube so that the

nose cone can fully be inserted into the tube.

Construction of 24 mm Motor Adapter

12. Glue one large centering ring (CR24-29)

on the forward end of the 24 mm diameter tube.

It should be ush with the end of the tube.

13. Glue the remaining two centering rings

(CR24-29) on the other end of the tube, 3/8 inch

(9.5 mm) from the end of the tube. Smear a thin

lm of wood glue on all the outside surfaces of

the centering rings to prevent the paper from

fraying.

14. Glue the smaller centering ring (CR18-24)

inside the 24 mm diameter tube as an engine

block. It is recessed 7/8 inch (22.2 mm) from the

forward end. Use a scrap piece of balsa to help

apply the glue to the inside of the tube. Again,

use a rocket motor to push the motor block into

the tube (see step #4).

4.0” (10.2 cm)

FIXIT

llet

Tie shock cord to base of nose cone.

Tape streamer to shock cord.

2.0” (5 cm) minimum

7/8” (22.2mm)

3/8” (9.5 mm)

Section A-A

Page 4

Finishing the Rocket

15. After all the glue has completely dried,

you may now paint your Apogee Aspire model

rocket. Sealing and sanding the balsa parts re-

duces drag (higher ights) and greatly improves

the rocket’s appearance. Apply a coat of sanding

sealer to the ns with a paint brush. When the

sealer is dry, lightly sand the sealed surfaces.

Repeat the sealing and sanding procedure until

the balsa grain is lled and the ns look and feel

smooth.

16. Roll a piece of paper and insert it into

the aft end of the body tube so you can hold the

model while painting it. For best results, paint

the model with primer before using the nal paint

colors. Follow the directions on the paint can,

and always paint outdoors with the wind against

your back. Let the paint harden at least 24 hours

before proceeding. You may mask and paint the

model to match the picture on the cover.

17. Cut around the perimeter of the decal

with a pair of scissors. Peel off the paper back-

ing, and afx the decal in place on the model.

Use the picture on page 1 for decal placement.

Inserting and Retaining a 29mm motor into the Apogee Aspire

Tape around

tube and

motor.

Inserting and Retaining a 24mm motor into the Apogee Aspire

using the 24mm motor mount adapter assembly.

Tape around

tube and motor

Tape around tube and

motor adapter

The largest motor size (29 mm dia.) is simply

taped into the aft end of the rocket. Wrap tape

around the outside of the motor and the aft end

of the body tube as shown.

The smaller motors (24 mm dia.) are rst taped

into the motor adapter. Then the adapter is in-

serted into the rocket – one of the CR24-29 rings

extends out of the tube. Tape is applied over the

rocket and the aft centering ring of the motor

adapter as shown in the illustration.

Installing rocket motors into the Apogee

Aspire Kit

Page 5

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 Preight

A. Crumple and insert 4 sheets of recovery

wadding into the body tube.

B. Roll the streamer tightly and insert it into

the tube with the shock cord. Then install the

nose cone into place.

C. Insert the rocket motor into the aft end of

the rocket (see instructions listed previously).

D. 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 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 the 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 controller

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.

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.

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

*National Association of Rocketry

**Kevlar

is a brand name of E.I. DuPont for their selection of aramid bers. Only Du-

Pont makes Kevlar

Engine Alt. (ft) Alt. (m) Vel. (mi/hr) Vel. (m/s)

D12-7

E6-6

E15-10

E30-7

Motor

Dia. (mm)

F10-8

F20-7

F21-8

F23-7

G80-10

1348

3548

4459

5468

4030

2939

411

1082

1359

1666

1228

895

280

278

735

411

625

854

125

C11-7 24 751 229 197 88

124

E9-6 24 2141 652 359 161

328

24 2314 705 587 259

183

279

24 2894 882 595 266

29 2876 877 558 249

381

Apogee Aspire Motor Matrix

Fin

overlap

Fin Fin Fin

Launch Lug

Shock Cord Anchor

Tube Marking Guide

Sheet B - P/N 31049

Apogee Aspire User manual

Apogee Aspire User manual

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