NLD17 launch campaign: Crashes and good launches
The remains of the N24.
ASK 't Harde, 4 April, 2003 - After weeks of planning and preparing we went to ASK 't Harde to launch again. On Thursday we built up the launch towers and other equipment. Also the rockets were prepared. In the evening we enjoyed ourselves in the mess.
Friday early in the morning we did the last bits of preparation on the site. The weather was better then we are used to, but it was very cold. The first rocket to be launched was the N24, the NAVRO amateur rocket. It was to be the rockets seventh launch, so we weren't worried at all. The AeroTech K1100-T provided a great lift off to 1500m, but the rocket didn't parachuted and the rocket landed ballistic. Later it was found shrunken in size to 50cm (see picture). The problem was a safety plug, which was still in place when launched.
The next rocket was the Vortex XL of Mark Uitendaal and Leon Krancher with their own J290-SB motor. Due to a technical problem the launch was suspended. So the next launch was Gerben-Jan Ligthart's first rocket. His Alfa was launch on a H238-T and a good flight. It had landed on its fins, of which two broke from the body, but otherwise the rocket was fine. The next launch was of Jan-Hein Ramakers' Nessus. This rocket is a two-stage rocket, but only the first stage had a motor (an H242-T), because it is the rockets first launch with two stages. The rocket had a good flight and all worked as it should have. The second stage went on at an angle which was close to a level flight. With the problems solved the Vortex XL was launched. The motor worked good, but unfortunately the rocket didn't parachuted correctly and was not recovered.
Following this launch was Thiemo van Engelen's Quick & Bright with an H238-T. This rocket had a two-stage parachute system and which worked perfectly. Again a great flight. The big rocket launches ended with two rockets of Bert Koerts. The Paas-ei (Easter egg) and the Payloader. The Paas-ei was to be launched earlier on the day, before the Quick & Bright, but the igniter didn't work, so the Payloader was his first launch of the day. Powered by an H112-J it had a good flight. After yet another igniter failure, the Paas-ei was finally launched. A slow burning K458-W motor provided an easily to follow, but spectacular flight. Unfortunately the surprise confetti wasn't seen by anyone.
After packing, we went home with mixed feelings. It was a great launch, but we have had some crashes too.
See you all at the NLD18 launch on 5 September.
