Brainstorming new project
 

With my two big projects (building, finishing, flying an original 1969 Aero-Dart; designing, building, finishing and flying a upscale Centuri) done, I'm feel like I should the Next Thing.

A few years back I bought some clearance parts from Semroc. One of these was a ST20 to ST13 balsa adaptor. A long thing!

My thought was to do a version of the spaceship in the old Disney Man Into Space spaceship. (First photo.) The documentary is available on Disney Plus if you're interested. Also on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFXza9RH7-E

The first stage would be a length of ST-20 covered in a big paper shroud. The second, stage, the balsa transition. The ST-13/BT-55 delta-winged space plane would sit on top. 29 mm motor mount.

I started an Open Rocket session. I haven't figured out how to fit in the shroud yet, but preliminary results show that stability would be a huge issue.

But . . . there's an alternative! Von Braun imagined the same booster with a satellite payload! And there was a model made of it! (See third photo.)

The model was transparent. It had paper inserts that showed the interior structure, and a ball bearing satellite.

So . . . what I'm thinking of doing is making the space plane for static display, and building a satellite section.

eRockets has some clear ST-13, centering rings, and a appropriate-looking nose cone still in stock. Ordered!

Rough layout of the 3rd stage / satellite section is in the second photo.

Nozzle: paper transition with BT-5 throat.

Combustion chamber: BT-20 with 1/4" balsa end caps sanded round.

Oxidizer and fuel tanks: BT-50 with balsa end caps, launch lug fuel lines.

Satellite: BT-20 with balsa end caps, cardstock surface panels, styrene do-dads, antenna dish on folded arm.

:eek: That's too :cool:

Oooh, I found that the Spaceship Handbook has an entry on the "Disney Ferry Rocket."

Including the satellite option.

The proportions are going to be off -- a bit stretched -- but it will look Close Enough.

That one seriously looks like the nose will chase it's tail.

Funny you should mention that. I was unfamiliar with that book until my wife gave me a copy last week. I?ve been reading it for several evenings now. Great resource for 50?s era sci-fi and nice plan drawings too.