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Simple Parachute Recovery
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Here is a simple parachute recovery system. The parachute canopy is made from a plastic grocery bag; the shroud lines are nylon fishing line; the nosecone is half of a plastic Easter egg held to the rocket with a rubber band and double sided foam tape. The rim added to the top of the rocket is made from a modified PVC compression nut as used with a sink drain—simply tape it on.
Carefully fold and pack the chute and lines so that it fits under the nosecone. By packing the rubber band under the parachute first, when the nosecone comes off it encourages the parachute to follow.
Although fairly reliable, because this system depends on the force of the air to knock off the nosecone as the rocket falls back to earth sideways, it doesn't always work. Sometimes the rocket turns too quickly into a nose dive and comes back as a "lawn dart." Buy your Easter eggs on sale after Easter and you can find a dozen for 25˘.
For more sophisticated methods of deployment and recovery check out the "other site" links; especially Robert Youens site.
Simple Parachute Recovery System
Pack the chute and lines carefully
A nosecone that sits loosely on a rim (here about 1/8 inch) is more likely to come off easily
Rocket ready for launch!
(notice the condensation remaining after a recent launch)
