Twin Successes and More News

Although not completely related to this project, my team and I (same members) won Science Bowl Regionals and Solar Car Regionals recently. This is another success in the book of the HV Water Rockets team. Other than these victories, I have more good news. Estimation shows that money WILL, in fact, be left over, after the construction of the rocket. Some other news:
*When the rocket was originally built, it was crooked. That has been fixed.
*The carbon fiber is ready to be applied.
*A pressure test has revealed barely any pressure leaks, and a high capacity.
*The epoxy for the cabon fiber will fill the leaks.
*Kang will be bringing in more money.
*The suborbital rocket is funded by ME currently, and is gaining progress FAST.
*The rocket is kickass; I strapped it on my back with 50 psi and it moved me about 4 to 5 feet across a classroom.
More news will be posted as it happens. Otherwise, sorry for the delay!

Ford's Assembly Line

Do you still remember back in the time when assembly lines were the "new thing," increasing production rates with shocking results? I just began to witness this sheer power of efficiency yesterday. With individuals fixed with specific tasks, the entire manufacturing process, whatever the product is, will be sped up significantly. So much, in fact, that the HV Water Rockets group now spends half the time to do twice as much work as before. This is a real breakthrough, and I believe we may actually be able to bring FORWARD the deadline, rather than push it back! Anyhow, thanks for keeping up with the blog, and comment if you'd like! I know the terminology I use if complex, so ask me if you don't understand some stuff. But hey, at least next time you will have words to own at Scrabble! ;)

We're Getting There, Scrap Metal, & Construction

Alright, I admit it. Our team has gotten pretty darn far, and we're still moving, but slowly. The problem is our purchasing rate. Since the school decided to make purchases strictly through a Broward Country employee (i.e. Mr. Wittrock), our ability to purchase has been slowed down. I apologize for that. However, I will not disappoint you all. Next week's meeting we will be doing all work, getting our secret design together. The people that fool around (you know who you are), please don't. We will be working with dangerous materials and tools, and I will need your utmost cooperation and maturity. Remember, donations have always been and always will be open.
With that aside, let's talk scrap metal. Scrap metal refers to steel/aluminum cans, double-A or triple-A batteries, or anything metal. I found someone willing to buy scrap metal for an okay price, and it will serve as another means of generating minor funding. So, please bring in as many cans or batteries in as possible. I prefer AA batteries. Finally, we talk of the construction in detail. As you may or may not know, we recently gained access to a CNC machine and a low-pressure air compressor through the tech lab. That opens lots of doors as far as opportunities are concerned. Okay, I said it. I guess this is it for today then.

Steel Vs. PVC: Steel Wins!

Today, the club bought one of the most essential parts of the water rocket project: the steel launcher. It will sustain 500 pounds or more of pressure on all parts, and hold up against 200 pounds of force downwards. Previously, our PVC launcher (as seen in the booster video) leaked and did a whole bunch of crap. However, this time none of that will happen. The steel will hold up to 2000 psi, so we needn't worry. Plus, the hydraulic pump will satisfy the steel quite nicely. Now where's that pressure gauge?

Life Is To Human as Money is to Organization

Hello everyone, I thought that you guys would like to see how everything is going as far as money raising. Well, I took a few screenshots to show you guys. First up are my eBay statistics. These show a few items that could sell for quite some money.


That gives us a nice total of approximately 64 bucks. By the way, if anyone has some old electronics, batteries or something to that effect they think could sell on eBay, could they please bring it in on Monday? Thank you. This would save us 5 dollars of processing fees. Remember, we need as much money as possible, so we can carry on our suborbital program. However, let's go back to the money raising program. Kevin Kang has graciously secured approximately 90 bucks for us, making 30 dollars left over AFTER we finish! How awesome is that? As for the eBay, if everything goes well, we'll make more than 200 bucks. That's with a deadline of March or so. One catch, though. Don't think we won't be doing the fundraiser, because we will be. Otherwise we won't be left with enough money for suborbital. Alrightie then, I gotta go, so I'll catch y'all next meeting! ;)

Alas, We Succeed

Ladies and gentlemen, I have a formal announcement. HV Water Rockets has raised just enough money to begin their grand project! No more sponsor tie - ups, no more worrying about fundraisers... Starting from the Monday after Winter Break, the rocketry group will begin construction. All tools are located within the school, and will be easily accessible. Any comments? Leave 'em! By the way, email this around, because things are going to get big - really big!

Winter Break - Perhaps an Opportunity to Succeed?

Winter break is coming up, and it is offering itself as a seducing distraction. However, I see it as a possibility for improvement or advancement. A few meetings may be held, and construction will definitely begin. However, I am beginning to have small doubts about our entire project. Even with 300 dollars of funding, I am still frightened by the possibility of failure. Should the project fail, the consequences would be severe. Besides losing 300 dollars, we would also have no legacy, as a team. Perhaps we should pursue the "hangtime" world record of 2 minutes and 30 seconds. That would consist of a single reinforced 2 liter bottle with serious kicking power. Carbon fiber and epoxy usage would be lowered significantly, so costs would also be cut significantly as well. I will have to collaborate with my team to make the final decision. Meanwhile, happy Winter Break and good tidings to all!