![[Rocket Pic]](images/archive/images_est/rp_est_astrocam_110_01.jpg)
Brief:
The AstroCam 110 is a rocket boosted 110 camera, pretty obvious from the name! It is a good rocket and can take some OK pictures. It is single staged and doesn't go very high, but it's cool none the less.
Construction :
It came well packaged in a box and had no damage upon opening it. Construction of the booster section went real smooth and only took about 45 min. The body tube is pre-colored and it has plastic fins. It requires no painting, just decals. The hardest part of this rocket is building the camera. You can do this in one afternoon, if you have quick drying glue. I recommend Testors liquid plastic cement for the inner pieces and tube-type cement for the outer shell. Silicon is used to attach the mirror that will point the camera's view forward. Try very hard not to get any stuff on the mirror. It is also critical that you only use a 1/2 of a drop of liquid glue to attach the camera lens. If too much glue gets on it, it will fog up and be completely useless!
Finishing:
Finishing this rocket is just like a starter set (very easy)! As mentioned above, It is pre-colored and you just need to slap on some decals. You just have to be sure that you are putting the camera labels in the right spot. The directions will show you where to put them.
Some modifications need to be made before flight though. I would attach as much shock cord as you can jam in the body tube. This will be explained later. You also need to find something to hold the film door on with. Although it seems tight, you will need some tape or something.
Construction Rating: 4 out of 5
Flight:
Since the AstroCam is extremely nose heavy, it weathercocks a lot. Only launch the AC in dead conditions and set the launch rod straight up. Estes says to only use the C6-7. The 7 seconds before ejection is too much, I used the C6-5. That will give you a nice horizon shot, maybe lower. I'm sure you would get good results from an 18mm D engine with a 5 second delay, too.
Recovery:
Since the Astrocam has time to turn around, it is going very fast. This is where the extra shock cord comes in. When the 'chute catches, it yanks the rocket pretty hard which can damage it. The rocket hits pretty hard with the small 12" parachute provided. I would either make it recoverable in two sections, or install an 18" nylon 'chute.
Flight Rating: 2 ½ out of 5
Summary:
I hope your experience won't be a bad one with the AC. I have yet to finish a whole roll of film yet and I have to repair my rocket from it's last flight. It kind got RAGD (Rapid Air to Ground Disassembly). Good luck and happy flying!
Pro's: The rocket is a fairly easy project, making it good for all ages.
Con's: The rocket is very difficult to tame. I've only had two successful flights so far.
Overall Rating: 3 ½ out of 5
