This is an experimental rocket.
What?
This was the CLES-FACIL's 2007-2008 project: "Leia/R2". This year's project involved creating a rocket that would serve as a reusable cansat launcher. To attain these goals, the rocket's diameter was increased to 150mm, and the construction was much more sturdy. A double parachute system was put in place to permit a slow landing, all while not having such a slow descent that the rocket could get blown far away. There is also a pressure sensor as well as a GPS onboard, both of which are retransmitted to the ground in realtime to be able to know the current location of the rocket - this allows for rapid recuperation.
The onboard cansat - R2 - was the second part of the experiment. He is the second iteration of a parafoil based robot that uses a combination of GPS, electronic compass, and 3-axis accelerometer to position himself in space and guide himself back to a set point using his 2 onboard servomotors. This year added the electronic compass and accelerometers, as well as an electronically deployed parafoil pulled out by a drag chute - this was to prevent turbulent openings like we had encountered last year. This year was a 1/2 success due to a failed opening on the parachute door. The cansat deployed properly, and the parafoil opened as desired. We think the parachute door did not open properly due to high pressure inside the rocket body once the front cansat door had opened preventing the rear parachute door from unlatching.All the detail is in the technical report submitted to Planete Science.
Other Media
Flickr set is here.Onboard launch video (I voted for a Beastie Boys soundtrack, but lost):