Magnetic Orientation Sensor Field Tests

                              PHOTOS                                                R-DAS Flight Data                                Flight Summary

Click here for full size image	Click here for full size image	The first test flight of the magnetic orientation sensor occurred in Geneseo, NY in August 2000 using a PML Amraam 4 with an Aerotech  J350 motor.  The green curve on the flight data plot shows the rocket's orientation angle from liftoff to apogee. The wiggles in the curve are due to a slight spiral motion of the rocket during the boost phase. Note also that the sensor also accurately detected apogee.
Click here for full size image	Click here for full size image	This test flight occurred in Geneseo, NY in July 2001. The rocket is a scratch built "Archer" which was flown on an  Aerotech  M1315W motor for Level 3 certification purposes.  The green curve on the flight data plot shows the rocket's orientation angle from liftoff to apogee. The rocket was extremely stable as evidenced by the small wiggles in the green curve. Magnetic apogee was detected slightly before true apogee because the rocket was flown in a northerly direction (flights toward the south typically result in magnetic apogee accuring slightly after true apogee).
Click here for full size image	Click here for full size image	This test occured in Middletown, NY in July 2004. It shows both the spin rate and the aspect angle historyof the rocket as it tips over near apogee.  The rocket is seen to be spinning fairly rapidly (about 1 revolution per sec.). Note that the spin rate increases as the rocket speeds up during the thrusting phase as expected and begins to slow as apogee is approached. This dual-axis spin/aspect angle data is useful for analyzing the flight characteristics of your rockets and optimizing their performance.