Apogee Spek User manual

Page 1
Colorado Springs, Colorado USA
web site: www.ApogeeRockets.com
The Spek rocket is another ne product from:
Kit #05009
Spek
(Two-Stage Altitude Rocket for Altimeters)
P/N Description Qty
Parts List
13000 Coupler 18mm X 0.35” 2
10055 Engine Mount Tube AT-13/8.0” 1
10065 Payload Tube AT-18/1.55” 1
13012 Coupler AC-13 1
13020 CR 10/13 (green) Engine Block 1
13051 1/8” Launch Lug 1” Long 1
15577 Spec Fins 1/16” X 3” X 4.5” 1
19012 13-to-18mm Ogive Transition (VF) 1
19207 Vac Form Nose Cone VFNC-18 1
29519 100# Kevlar X 6 ft 1
29004 2” Mylar Streamer X 18” 1
31128 Spek Instruction Sheet A 1
31129 Spek Instruction Sheet B 1
35535 13mm 3-Fin Alignment Guide Cardstock 1
47122 Clear Plastic Bag 6x14x2mil 1
Other Tools and Materials Needed
Pencil
Hobby knife
Wood glue
Super glue (thick viscosity)
Plastic packaging tape
Paint supplies (spray paint, brushes, etc.)
Wood sealer
Sandpaper (220 and 400 grit)
Wood dowel for spreading glue inside tubes
Spek
p/n 31128
Shock Cord Anchor Pattern
The Spek is a two-stage rocket designed speci-
cally for the National Association of Rocketry’s contest
for the “Altimeter Altitude” event. In the single-stage
conguration, it can use a 13mm diameter 1/4A, 1/2A,
or A-size rocket motor. When adding the booster stage,
you can use it in the “B-altitude” event, because two A-
size engines added together is equivalent to the power
of a “B” rocket motor.
The dual-diameter rocket is sized (at the top) for
altimeters that t into an 18mm payload tube. With its
custom vacuum-formed transition section the Spek
then reduces down to a 13mm motor at the bottom to
decrease the weight and lower the drag. This rocket
also comes with a cardstock n alignment guide to
assure that the ns are perfectly straight and evenly
spaced around the rocket. This lowers the drag, and
allows the rocket to y to new record-setting altitudes.
Skill Level 2: Previous Rocket Experience Sug-
gested

Page 2
Assemble The Spek Rocket
1. Remove the parts for the n alignment
xture from the cardboard sheet. Dry as-
semble the parts as shown. Make sure the
tabs on the cross pieces protrude through
the side plates. Apply a bead of wood glue
over the tabs on both sides of the tool. Set
the piece aside to allow the glue to dry.
2. Separate the tubes. Sand off the little
nubs of paper on the ends of the tube using
medium grit sandpaper.
3. Glue one of the red paper tube cou-
plers into the base (as far as it can go) of
the nose cone using thick viscosity CyA glue
(also called super glue). Set it aside to allow
the glue to harden.
4. Taking the point of your hobby knife,
carefully drill a small hole into the base of
the shoulder on the vacuum form plastic
transition. The hole only needs to be slightly
larger than the diameter of the yellow shock
cord.
OPTIONAL: For small altimeters, you will
connect the nose cone directly to the transi-
tion (see “Prepping for Launch” on page 5).
But if you’re using the PerfectFlite FireFly
altimeter, you’ll need to use the payload
tube. Perform the following two steps to add
the payload tube.
5. Glue the remaining red paper tube
coupler into the front of the plastic transition
as far as it will go using thick viscosity CyA
glue. Set it aside to allow the glue to harden.
6. Using wood glue, attach the payload
tube (the one with the three small holes in it)
onto the red coupler at the base of the plas-
tic nose cone. Optional: You can tape the
nose on instead of gluing it, so the payload
tube can be removed if you use a smaller
altimeter than the FireFly.
2
3
4
5
6
1
Glue
(both sides)

Page 3
7. Fine sand the balsa wood laser-cut
sheets using 200 and then 400 grit sand-
paper before removing the ns. Carefully
remove all the pieces from the sheet by free-
ing the edges with a sharp hobby knife.
For higher ights, round the edges of the
ns with sandpaper – or better yet – sand an
airfoil shape into them. Test t the ns into
the slots on the n alignment xture. If they
are too tight, you will need to sand down the
thickness slightly.
8. Sealing the surface of the balsa with
sanding sealer reduces the skin friction drag
on the rocket, allowing it to y higher. It also
improves the rocket’s appearance. Apply the
sealer with a paintbrush. When dry, sand it
with 400 grit sandpaper. Repeat the proce-
dure until the balsa grain is lled and the ns
look and feel smooth.
9. Slide the n alignment xture onto the
long body tube over the end that is etched
with the n lines. Test t the smaller set of
ns into the xture. Position the trailing edge
of the ns on the tick-marks that are etched
onto the n lines. When you know how the
ns are attached, you can remove them from
the n alignment xture and apply wood glue
to the root edge and then put them back into
the n alignment xture. Allow the glue time
to dry before removing the n xture.
10. Repeat the process of attaching the
ns, but this time use the larger ns and at-
tach them to the short booster stage tube.
OPTIONAL: For competition ights, it is
recommended that you launch the rocket
from a piston launcher or from a launch
tower. But if you do not have one, you’ll
need to use a standard launch rod. In that
case, install the launch lug as follows.
11. Glue the balsa wood standoff to the
front end of the body tube in the position
marked on the tube. When the glue is dry,
glue the launch lug to the stand-off using
wood glue. Make sure the lug is parallel to
the length of body tube.
12. Add wood glue llets to the ns and
the launch lug (if added). Lay the rocket
horizontally to let the glue dry.
p/n 31129
7
12
11
10
9
8
Smaller ns
Sustainer (upper stage)
Larger ns used
in booster stage
Fin location
line

Page 4
13. OPTIONAL: Glue the green engine
block into the tube, 1-1/4 inches (3.2cm)
deep. To save weight, you can leave out this
piece.
14. Cut out the shock cord anchor from
the front of instruction sheet. Spread glue
on one side. Take the free end of the shock
cord and lay it diagonally across the paper.
Fold it twice on the marked lines, and then
curl it slightly so it will t into the long tube
with the ns.
15. Glue the shock cord mount into the
front of the long tube with the ns on it.
Make sure it is deep enough to allow the
payload section to be inserted into the tube.
16. Thread the free end of the yellow
shock cord through the hole in the base
of the transition. Tie a big enough knot in
the end of the cord so it can’t be pulled out
through the hole. Using thick CyA adhesive,
glue the knot inside the base of the plastic
transition.
17. Cut a piece of tape (packing tape
works great), and lay it under the shock cord
close to the nose cone. Place the end of the
streamer on half of it, and fold the remainder
of the tape over the top. Press on the tape to
make sure it doesn’t come up.
18. Roll up the streamer and place it in
the rocket. Put the payload and nose cone
on top. The lower stage can be coupled to
the rocket with the red coupler or it can be
painted separately. Roll a piece of paper and
insert it into the back of the rocket to hold
the model while you paint it. We recommend
a uorescent color like orange, pink or yel-
low to make it easier to nd the rocket after
touchdown. Allow the paint time to dry.
Congratulations! Your Spek rocket is now
complete.
15
16
17
18
14
13
1-1/4” (3.2cm)
1.0” (2.5cm) minimum

Page 5
Prepping for Launch
If you are using the PerfectFlite FireFly
altimeter, you’ll need the long payload tube.
If you’re using either the MicroPeak or the
Adrel altimeter, you can place the altimeter
directly into the nose cone. If you do that,
drill a small hole into the plastic transition
section to allow air in for the altimeter’s pres-
sure sensor.
Place the nose on top, and secure it in
place with a piece of tape wrapped around
the perimeter.
Launch Supplies Needed
To launch your rocket you will need the
following supplies:
• A model rocket launching system
• Flame resistant recovery wadding
• Recommended Rocket Engines:
See the motor matrix to the right.
Rocket Preight
A. Crumple and insert a sheet of recov-
ery wadding into the body tube.
B. Roll the streamer and insert it into the
tube with the shock cord. Then install the
payload bay or nose cone.
C. Tape the nose cone onto the payload
tube (illustrations top-right on this page).
D. If ying the sustainer stage alone as
a single stage, it is preferable to hold the
engine in the tube by wrapping tape about
the portion of the motor that extends out the
rear of the tube as shown.
E. If you’re ying the Spek as a two-stage
rocket, the motor in the top stage is friction
tted into the tube.
Spek Rocket Recommended Motors
Engine Manufacturer Altitude (ft) Altitude (m)
1/4A3-3T Estes 133 40.7
1/2A3-4T Estes 341 104.1
A10-3T Estes 682 208.0
A3-4T Estes 733 223.5
A10-0T / A3-4T Estes 1206 367.7
A & B
E
Drill small hole
Tape
Tape
Tape
Tape
D
Motor Retention for
when the sustainer is
own alone (without
the booster stage)
Motor Retention for when the
sustainer is own with the
booster stage

Page 6
F. For the booster stage the motor is
inserted so the motor extends out the back
3/8” (0.9 cm) and then held in place by wrap-
ping tape around the perimeter of the motor
and the tube.
G. The two stages are joined together by
inserting the upper stage motor (the portion
that sticks out) into the front of the booster
stage.
H. Insert and secure the engine igniter as
directed on the package the engines came
with.
Countdown and Launch Procedure
Fly your rocket on a large eld that isn’t
near any power lines, trees, or low ying
aircraft. The larger the eld, the greater
your chances of recovering your rocket. The
launch area around the pad must be free of
dry weeds and brown grass. Launch only
during calm weather with very little or no
wind and good visibility.
10. Remove the safety key from the
launch controller.
9. Slide the launch lugs over the launch
rod to place the rocket on the pad. The
rocket should slide freely over the rod.
8. Attach the micro-clips to the igniter. The
clips must not touch each other or the metal
blast deector.
7. Stand back from your rocket as far as
the launch wire allows (at least 5 meters - 15
feet).
6. Insert the safety key to arm the launch
system. The light (or buzzer) on the control-
ler should come on.
Give a loud countdown 5 ... 4 ... 3 ... 2 ...
1 ... LAUNCH!
Push and hold the the button until the
engine ignites. Then remove the safety key
and place the safety cap on the launch rod.
*National Association of Rocketry
**Kevlar® is a brand name of E.I. DuPont for their selection of aramid bers. Only DuPont makes Kevlar®
G
Misre Procedure
Occasionally the igniter will burn, but the motor will fail to ignite. If this happens, the cause is that the pyrogen on the
igniter was not in contact with the engines propellant. When an ignition failure occurs, remove the safety key from the
launch controller and wait 60 seconds before approaching the rocket. Remove the old igniter from the engine and install a
new one. Make sure that the igniter is insert fully into the engine and touches the propellant. Secure the igniter as directed
on the engine package and repeat the countdown and launch procedure.
FTape
Booster Stage
Always follow the NAR* Model Rocket Safety Code when launching
model rockets.