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PAX Prime, built from the Wildman Rocketry 2.6" Darkstar kit, was the first rocket project I developed after receiving my TRA Level 2 certification. This certification gave me the opportunity to experiment with new rocketry projects such as compact avionics design, on-board video, and experimental fuel testing. This rocket flew on an experimental I-class motor that produced 100 lbf (445 N) of thrust and reached an altitude of 2,350 ft.
PAX Prime Milestones:
Compact Avionics Design
Possibly the greatest challenge on this project was fitting all the necessary electronics into the 2.4" avionics bay. I was set on flying with redundant avionics and GPS tracking capability to maximize safety (and for peace of mind). I designed a new sled and electronics layout for this project to fit my requirements.
The primary flight computer was kept as the Eggtimer Quasar from my Level 2 certification flight for its compact and familiar design. A new one was purchased for this project.
The backup flight computer was the Eggtimer Quark, which was new to me at the time. This was chosen for its simple operation and tiny footprint.
Both flight computers were purchased as kits and hand soldered.
Preliminary testing of avionics to ensure proper function after assembly
Final testing of avionics in flight-ready configuration
On-Board Video
PAX Prime was the first rocket project of mine to have on-board video of the entire flight. This was achieved by attaching a Mobius #32s camera to the rocket's airframe near the nose cone. The design of the camera was fairly aerodynamic already, so no aerodynamic shroud was created.
This camera, on top of capturing amazing video, would be used to diagnose any issues that may occur during flight, such as separation failure, lines tangling, etc.
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