[BA-Rockets] altitude tracking at DeAnza

[Dan Wright]

I like the idea.   Rather than permanent but "barely perceptible" marks,  I think kids are more likely to actually use them if the marks are big and obvious (traffic cones, for example) placed temporarily.   A person on the PA system could bring people's attention to the cones and state their distances. 

We could have two cones 90 degrees apart (as seen from the point-of-view of the rack).  A couple guys manning a 100-foot tape could set out these cones quickly enough each time.  Another fast accurate method of measuring distances is to count revolutions of a bicycle tire.



Gregory Wong <sax at soundingrocket.com> wrote:

>Occasionally at the BayNAR launches at DeAnza College, I've noticed some
>kids measuring the altitude of their rockets using those devices used to
>measure angles.  (Sorry, can't think of the technical term.)  I also
>noticed some kids are just too close to get an accurate reading.
>Ideally, you should have 2 tracking stations to account for non-vertical
>flight.  Of course, you need an accurate distance between the tracking
>stations and the launch pad.
>
>I'd like propose something and see what other BayNAR members think
>of this idea.  One of these days, I'll measure some distances out
>from the launch pad area.  I'll then place a barely perceptable mark
>on the ground or make a note of a nearby landmark.  We're pretty
>consistent with where the pad is set up.  When the kids come to track
>the altitude, we can point out the spot(s) where they should set up their
>tracking station(s) and tell them how far away it is.
>
>What do you all think of this idea?  Has someone already done this?
>
>--Greg


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