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Orpington Astronomical Society

Astronomy => Technical => Topic started by: Mike on Oct 23, 2007, 11:36:31

Title: Anyone fancy building their own Sputnik??
Post by: Mike on Oct 23, 2007, 11:36:31
In 1957 the Sputnik 1 satellite was seen as a technological marvel, the result of many years work by some of the Soviet Union's most talented engineers and scientists. But by today's standards, was it really such a big deal? In 2007, how hard would it be to build a fully working Sputnik in the comfort of your own living room?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/7049002.stm
Title: Re: Anyone fancy building there own Sputnik??
Post by: Ian on Oct 23, 2007, 12:46:26
I think we should. And build the rocket to get it up there too. After all, they did it with a reliant robin on topgear...
Title: Re: Anyone fancy building there own Sputnik??
Post by: JohnP on Oct 23, 2007, 13:13:48
I'd be up for it as well - sounds like a good winter project for the OAS..... John
Title: Re: Anyone fancy building there own Sputnik??
Post by: mickw on Oct 23, 2007, 16:08:29
Aaah - Something to do that doesn't involve getting cold  8)
Here's the plans
http://www.arizonamodels.com/
Here's the housing (2x required)
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/8610399/Trail/searchtext%3EWOK.htm
Here's the launch system
http://www.cosmicfireworks.com/product_list.asp?search_string=&brand_id=7&category_id=10&submit=Search

Right, I've done my bit, let me know when launch date is, I'll be in the pub  :lol:
Mick
Title: Re: Anyone fancy building there own Sputnik??
Post by: Tony G on Oct 23, 2007, 21:55:48
I've found the perfect fuel, but it may be a bit unstable!!!!











(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2332/1715313875_cdf62bb720.jpg)

:)

Tony G
Title: Re: Anyone fancy building there own Sputnik??
Post by: Mike on Oct 23, 2007, 22:05:54
It'll end up orbiting Pluto with that stuff !!!   :o
Title: Re: Anyone fancy building their own Sputnik??
Post by: JohnP on Oct 24, 2007, 10:58:34
This has to be a better propulsion system.....

(http://homepage.ntlworld.com/john.punnett/graphics/oas/balloon.gif)


John
Title: Re: Anyone fancy building their own Sputnik??
Post by: doug on Oct 24, 2007, 11:35:14


     A quick question.  Is the crew of the aforementioned Sputnik in the small cartoon in Mike`s post?  And are the tomato`s for their food?
Title: Re: Anyone fancy building their own Sputnik??
Post by: Mike on Oct 24, 2007, 12:13:28
No no ! The tomatoes are the fuel !! Have youe ver seen one of those babies explode? We have and we have the video to prove it.

Sputnik had crew??!?!
Title: Re: Anyone fancy building their own Sputnik??
Post by: Ian on Oct 24, 2007, 12:36:02
well someone had to shout "BEEPPPPP" every 0.3 secs.

I think we should make a fully working 50th scale model. In keeping with the progress of technology and the age (and the fact that otherwise someone's got to home what might appear to be 2" diameter chrome Mortar bomb...
Title: Re: Anyone fancy building their own Sputnik??
Post by: doug on Oct 24, 2007, 14:50:07


     Well, I do have a crash helmet left over from my biking days, if anyone wishes to have it for the fuelling process... and a suit... and a thick pair of gloves !!!   But I don`t have any sheet metal for the globe.  Sorry.
Title: Re: Anyone fancy building their own Sputnik??
Post by: Mike on Oct 24, 2007, 15:05:57
We could always give it a suitable sending off at the next DSC, i.e. we BURN IT !!!!
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