Sky's the Limit [OPEN]
Apr 23, 2016 5:54:35 GMT -7
Post by Justin Richter on Apr 23, 2016 5:54:35 GMT -7
Justin lit the fuse and ran.
As it burned, he moved to the point he had marked precisely 30 meters away from the launch site. In one hand, he held a simple assembly that consisted of a protractor and a small weight hanging by a string. Just as he lifted the assembly to his eye, the fuse ran out.
The fuse was attached to a small tube of solid rocket fuel, which itself was nestled inside a model rocket less than a foot tall. The fuel was lit as the fuse reached its end, and the model rocket took to the sky with a fwoosh!
As the bright point of light reached its apex, Justin pointed his protractor at it and mentally noted the angle of the string. He then lowered the protractor, staring dourly at the rocket as it fell back down to the ground. It had gone much higher last week.
This model rocketry session was taking place in an empty lot on the edge of the suburbs. There was plenty of room for the spent rocket to drift without landing on anything important. Several passers-by, both on foot and in automobiles, were glancing at the display with interest, but none so far had stopped to watch for any length of time.
Which was just fine, in Justin's estimation. He continued to stare off into space as he mulled over which design changes he should make next in order to get the best use out of his remaining fuel tubes. This was the part he enjoyed most, but he still frowned in concentration as he thought it over.
As it burned, he moved to the point he had marked precisely 30 meters away from the launch site. In one hand, he held a simple assembly that consisted of a protractor and a small weight hanging by a string. Just as he lifted the assembly to his eye, the fuse ran out.
The fuse was attached to a small tube of solid rocket fuel, which itself was nestled inside a model rocket less than a foot tall. The fuel was lit as the fuse reached its end, and the model rocket took to the sky with a fwoosh!
As the bright point of light reached its apex, Justin pointed his protractor at it and mentally noted the angle of the string. He then lowered the protractor, staring dourly at the rocket as it fell back down to the ground. It had gone much higher last week.
This model rocketry session was taking place in an empty lot on the edge of the suburbs. There was plenty of room for the spent rocket to drift without landing on anything important. Several passers-by, both on foot and in automobiles, were glancing at the display with interest, but none so far had stopped to watch for any length of time.
Which was just fine, in Justin's estimation. He continued to stare off into space as he mulled over which design changes he should make next in order to get the best use out of his remaining fuel tubes. This was the part he enjoyed most, but he still frowned in concentration as he thought it over.
