NAR HPR Launch Procedures & Checklists 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During a pre-launch checklist, when should the igniter be installed in the motor?
- Before transporting the rocket to the pad
- After the rocket is on the pad and all personnel are at safe distance (Correct answer)
- During final motor assembly at home
- Immediately after arming the launch controller
Correct answer: After the rocket is on the pad and all personnel are at safe distance
The igniter should be installed after the rocket is on the launch pad and all non-essential personnel have cleared the safety radius.
Question 2: What does 'range safety' refer to in the context of a high-power rocketry launch?
- The maximum altitude the rocket is certified to reach
- Procedures and protocols ensuring all launches are conducted safely within established boundaries (Correct answer)
- The distance between spectators and the launch pad
- The structural integrity rating of the launch rail
Correct answer: Procedures and protocols ensuring all launches are conducted safely within established boundaries
Range safety encompasses all procedures, rules, and protocols that ensure launches occur safely within designated boundaries and protect all participants.
Question 3: Which action should be taken if a misfire occurs and the motor fails to ignite after a launch attempt?
- Immediately walk to the pad to inspect the rocket
- Wait the required hang-fire period (typically 60 seconds) before approaching (Correct answer)
- Cut power to the launch controller and approach immediately
- Try re-firing within 30 seconds to clear the igniter
Correct answer: Wait the required hang-fire period (typically 60 seconds) before approaching
NAR safety codes require waiting a minimum hang-fire period (commonly 60 seconds) before approaching a misfired rocket to allow any delayed ignition to occur safely.
Question 4: What is the purpose of the 'arm/safe' switch on a high-power launch controller?
- It controls the launch rail angle
- It prevents accidental ignition by requiring a deliberate arming action before firing (Correct answer)
- It arms the onboard altimeter electronics
- It activates the pad's continuity light
Correct answer: It prevents accidental ignition by requiring a deliberate arming action before firing
The arm/safe switch is a safety interlock that requires a deliberate two-step action (arm then fire) to prevent accidental ignition.
Question 5: Before giving the launch count, the LCO (Launch Control Officer) must verify that:
- The rocket's paint is dry and fins are aligned
- The range is clear and all personnel are beyond the minimum safe distance (Correct answer)
- The motor manufacturer's warranty card is on file
- The photographer has a clear line of sight
Correct answer: The range is clear and all personnel are beyond the minimum safe distance
The LCO must confirm the range is clear and all personnel are beyond the minimum safe distance before initiating any launch countdown.
Question 6: Which of the following is a required step when arming a dual-deployment altimeter system before launch?
- Disabling the main parachute ejection charge
- Confirming the altimeter's beep codes indicate correct arming and no faults (Correct answer)
- Removing the shear pins from the nosecone
- Setting the altimeter's apogee delay to zero
Correct answer: Confirming the altimeter's beep codes indicate correct arming and no faults
Altimeters emit beep codes to communicate their status; confirming correct arming codes ensures the system is functioning properly before flight.
Question 7: What minimum launch rod or rail length is generally recommended to ensure stable departure for high-power rockets?
- The rail must be at least as long as the rocket's body tube
- The rocket should travel at least 4–6 feet on the rail to reach a stable velocity before leaving the guide (Correct answer)
- Rail length only matters for minimum-diameter rockets
- A 12-inch rail is sufficient for all high-power motors
Correct answer: The rocket should travel at least 4–6 feet on the rail to reach a stable velocity before leaving the guide
The rocket must travel far enough on the guide rail to reach sufficient speed (typically 4–6 feet of travel) for aerodynamic stability before leaving the rail.
NAR HPR Launch Procedures & Checklists 2
During a pre-launch checklist, when should the igniter be installed in the motor?