Flight Simulations

Seven simulations of the final design were performed in RockSim version 9.3.0.  These simulations were of progressively stronger wind conditions and two wind variability factors at each non-zero wind value.  The parameters kept constant for the simulations are:

Simulation Constants
Initial Rocket Weight: 55.58lb (247M)
Motor:	CTI M1670-P Blue Streak Thrust Curve
Flight Events:
Drogue Parachute: Deploy at apogee	Main Parachute: Deploy at 1200ft (366m) AGL
Simulation Controls:
Simulation Resolution: 800 samples/second	Descent Resolution: 5 samples/second
Simulation Method: Explicit Euler (RASP Style)	Simulation End: Rocket reaches ground
Starting State:
Launch Guide Length: 8.0ft (2.44m)	Launch Angle: 0.0°
Launch Conditions:
Altitude: 4500ft (1732m)
Relative Humidity: 10%	Thermal Positioning: Random
Temperature: 80°F (27°C)	First Thermal Position: 0
Barometric Pressure: 1.013 bar	Thermal Diameter: 984ft (300m)
Wind Change Frequency: 0.01	Thermal Height: 6562ft (2000m)
Wind Starts at Altitude: 0	Thermal Strength: Low (3.5 mph)
Cloud Coverage: Sunny	Thermal Strength/Speed: 13.42 mph (21.60 kph)
Cloud Cover Limits: 0.0 / 0.1	Allow Multiple Thermals: No

The wind speed and variability labels are directly from RockSim and correspond to the following:

Wind Speed Label	Speed range (mph)
No Wind	0
Calm	0-2
Light	3-7
Slightly Breezy	8-14

Wind Turbulence Label	Value
Fairly Constant	0.01
Some Variability	0.04

The results of the simulations are:

Conditions:	Altitude (ft)	Velocity (mph)	Time to Apogee (s)	Velocity at Drogue Deploy (mph)	Velocity Leaving Launch Rail (mph)
No Wind	7179.66	469.95	21.84	0.01	39.86
Calm, Fairly Constant	7177.69	469.94	21.84	6.26	39.86
Calm, Some Variability	7177.72	469.94	21.84	6.19	39.86
Light, Fairly Constant	7169.72	469.91	21.83	14.10	39.86
Light, Some Variability	7129.23	469.76	21.76	31.79	39.86
Slightly Breezy, Fairly Constant	7110.89	469.69	21.73	37.13	39.86
Slightly Breezy, Some Variability	7002.62	469.30	21.57	59.42	39.86