| This past week, we released our 400th video in the Advanced Construction Video (ACV) series. It is hard to beleive that the first one was released almost exactly 15 years ago. Check out the video archives here. Anyway, video #400 (click here) helps you designers answer the question of when should you use a launch lug on your rocket, or should you switch to rail buttons. We just received in a new batch of carbon fiber sheets that are perfect for small rockets. I personally use this on competition rockets where low weight, smoothness, and stiffness are very important. It is only 0.012 inches (0.3mm) thick. We've been out of stock on it for several years, but we recently found a new supplier. The best part is that we got it at the old cost, so we are able to keep the price the same as before. If you've never tried carbon fiber fins before, prepare to be amazed. On January 27, Tim will be presenting a how-to session at the National Association of Rocketry's Annual Conference (called NARCON). The session will be about how to make glass-smooth, and ultra-lightweight airframe tubes from carbon fiber and epoxy. Today at 3 p.m. (Mountain time) we'll be releasing a teaser video (click here) that shows the back end of the process where the tube is taken out of the mold and trimmed to length and made ready for fin attachment. After watching the video, if you're interested in the full conference session, sign up for the event at: https://www.accelevents.com/e/vNARCON-2024 This afternoon, we still have the RockSim Live (Friday) at 2 p.m. Mountain Time zone. If you have questions on how to use Rocksim or how to get information from it, please feel welcome to join us.
What is Coming Up Next Week?
Next week Tuesday, we have Peak-of-Flight Newsletter #617 coming out. The article in it contains part one (of two) about calculating the fin flutter velocity for a complex fin shape. It is a take-off of the previous article what was found in newsletter #615. Also in the issue is a blog by Tim - about what he is working on for the next couple of weeks. Check your email inbox next Tuesday. | 