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Overview

"Recovery" refers to the system that safely lands the rocket on the ground after launch. To achieve this goal, the Recovery Subteam must interface with all aspects of the rocket:

  • Propulsion
    • ensure that the recovery system is within mass budget
    • determine the type and characteristics of the recovery system based on expected altitude
  • Structures
    • ensure that the airframe can withstand the loads from the recovery system
    • ensure that the recovery system fits inside the airframe
  • Avionics
    • ensure that the avionics system is equipped to initiate separation and deployment events, as necessary
  • Payload
    • ensure that the payload is equipped with a recovery system, as necessary

In amateur rocketry, there are several types of recovery systems

Tumble

Tumble recovery is the simplest system. At apogee, the rocket separates into several pieces, and the drag from the pieces is adequate to slow the rocket to a safe landing velocity. This method is typically only used in small, light rockets flights to low altitudes.

Streamer

Streamer recovery involves simply attaching a streamer, or long piece of durable fabric, to a falling rocket or component. The streamer serves as a very small parachute. Again, this method is typically only used for light rockets or rocket components.

Parachute

Parachute recovery is the most complicated of these three methods, but the most capable and flexible for larger rockets and higher-altitude missions. In parachute recovery systems, one or more parachutes are deployed from the rocket to provide drag and slow the rocket down to a safe landing velocity.

Basic Recovery CONOPS

Are addressed and described here.

Typical Recovery Components:

  • Drogue Parachute: a small parachute usually deployed near apogee. The purpose of this chute is to start slowing the rocket down without allowing it to drift too far from the launch site. Drogue chutes can take the form of small streamers, small parachutes, or even a reefed main parachute.
  • Main parachute: 

General Recovery Tips and Lessons Learned:

  • ALWAYS quicklink Nomex and loose parts to a quicklink. Leaving components loose on a parachute line will result in a reefed parachute (a parachute that is cinched shut, and cannot open all the way)
  • ALWAYS make sure that quicklinks are completely secured shut, using a wrench.
  • ALWAYS ensure that eyebolts are not only tight with a bolt, but secured in place via:
    • Safety wire, or
    • sealing the threads with some sort of glue (epoxy, superglue, etc.)
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