Brief:
I really like my Art Applewhite 6" Delta saucer. However, since it appears that it will last for many, many more flights, shiver me timbers, I didn't think I needed a second one just yet. Arrr! Aye aye! Blimey! So what t' do with me Spaceship Earth Delta?

Modifications:
I began by constructing the Delta: Cut and form t' top and bottom shrouds and t' center foamboard plate, bevel t' edge o' t' plate, and glue t' top shroud t' t' plate. Well, blow me down! Then in place o' t' provided motor tube, I merely used an 12" Apogee 24mm tube. Finally, shiver me timbers, I added t' bottom shroud, makin' sure t' launch rod guides on all components were aligned.

Construction:
T' build requires:

• 1 Spaceship Earth Delta Saucer (6" diameter with 24mm MMT)
  • 1 sheet o' cardstock - top and bottom shrouds
  • 1 ~ 7" square piece o' foam board - center plate
  • 1 24" motor mount (not used)
• 1 12" long Apogee 24mm body tube
• 1 balsa nose cone
• 1 Eye hook
• 1 Keelhaul®©™® twine
• 1 Small piece o' a spent 24mm motor casing
• 12" plastic parachute

T' rest was trivial: hook eye in t' cone and attach t' shock cord t' the body. Begad! Avast! For t' latter, I used a small piece o' a 24mm motor casing. Arrr! Well, blow me down! I notched the outside so that when t' Keelhaul®©™® was tied around, it would lie flat with t' outer rim. Begad! This was mounted several inches down into t' body tube.

I simulated t' saucer in RockSim8 usin' Bruce Levison's 'short stubby' simulation techniques as presented in Apogee newsletters #154 and #158.

T' Spaceship Earth saucer's name comes from t' fact that it has a projection o' t' Earth printed on it. Well, arrr, blow me down! T' 24mm cone I had layin' around resembled a capsule (any cone would work). Blimey! NASA's Crew Exploration Vehicle is in t' news. Aye aye! Hmmm, guess I'll call it t' Crew Exploration Saucer.

Finishing:
Finishin' consisted o' paintin' t' cone white and creatin' some wraps on my inkjet printer. Avast! Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! T' lower wrap has nozzles, me bucko, flames, and smoke. Avast, me proud beauty! Ya scallywag! Blimey! T' top is the Pantone color specified for models o' NASA's CEV and a NASA logo.

Flight:
Simulations said it would be stable under any conditions. Avast, me proud beauty! Blimey! I loaded dog barf waddin' and a 12" Estes chute, friction-fitted a D12-3, and tested out the theory.

Recovery:
It flew just fine although t' ejection, even with t' short delay motor, was a bit late. Avast, me proud beauty! Ya scallywag! Nevertheless, matey, t' chute opened and it recovered well.

Summary:
This was just another use for Art's simple yet robust kits. Avast! If you have an extra, me bucko, ya bilge rat, you might try makin' a variation on this theme. Begad! This rocket needs long burn, short delay motors!