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Alec Griffiths

@alecgriffiths1998

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Slava Ukraini🌻 Space fan, model rocketeer, and (very) amateur astrophotographer. My videos: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDeeqcwK_wt-L9LDifYoYQw

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The first (subsonic) flight test of ION is now complete. The rocket performed perfectly and was recovered intact. The motor was a B4-4, and the vehicle's apogee was ~250 ft. This is a great start to the career of a model rocket that (hopefully) is destined to break the sound barrier next year! 🚀 by @alecgriffiths1998

My newest video is now up on YouTube! It's a recap of the recent 4th flight of my Zephyr rocket. 🚀 Here's the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g03LhrB8EmM by @alecgriffiths1998

My second supersonic rocket, Ion, is now complete! Its first (subsonic) test flight will hopefully be next week, but we'll see. 🚀 by @alecgriffiths1998

Ion, my next supersonic rocket, is nearing completion! These photos were taken a couple days ago, before I applied a coat of primer. I hope to have it fully painted before the end of this week. 🚀 by @alecgriffiths1998

Here's a short video of my Zephyr rocket's 4th launch, October 3rd 2026. This was filmed using my GoPro Hero 7. 🚀 by @alecgriffiths1998

I just got my GoPro footage from the launch event last Saturday. Here's a screenshot. This is hands-down the best imagery I've ever gotten of my Zephyr rocket launching! 🚀 by @alecgriffiths1998

Introducing ION, my next supersonic rocket. Ion is a scratch-built design, centered around a 29mm motor mount and built to carry an altimeter in the nosecone. It's a little difficult to see in the photos (due to the fin jig blocking the view), but Ion has the most streamlined fins I've ever made. I'm super excited for how this one will look when it's completed. Subsonic test flights should begin either at the end of this month, or in November. If all goes well, its first supersonic flight will take place next year. 🚀 by @alecgriffiths1998

Here are some slowmos of my Estes Lil' Spite rocket's fateful first and only flight, the other day. It made it to ~700 ft and Mach 1.1 before cleverly disassembling itself. One might say it's a very expensive way to make confetti. 🚀 by @alecgriffiths1998

Sound Barrier broken... rocket also broken. RIP to my Estes "Lil' Spite" rocket, after its first and only launch. It shredded at approximately 700 feet up, right as its speed hit 857 mph - Mach 1.1. If you're wondering how I know its speed, it's because I was able to recover the nosecone, which was still intact and which still had the altimeter attached to it!!! I was also able to recover the parachute and motor mount, but lost my parachute release. I observed a single fin fluttering down, but saw no other debris hit the ground. Despite the energetic demise of this rocket, it's the first time I've ever launched something faster than the speed of sound! 🚀 by @alecgriffiths1998

Zephyr Flight 4 today was nominal. Details coming soon! 🚀 by @alecgriffiths1998

Zephyr Flight 4 is on schedule for tomorrow, and I'm so excited! This will be its first flight using a reloadable motor (an I-218R), and the first flight with its new nosecone camera pod. The primary payload is called AlectroSat 3; it features an IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit), barometric altimeter, GPS receiver, and a LoRa transmitter. Altitude, acceleration, and orientation data is logged internally to the vehicle's SD card, while GPS position is transmitted to a receiver on the ground. After landing, I'll use the GPS coordinates to track down the rocket. This will be good practice for future launches that will potentially fly and land beyond visual range. But on this occasion, the Zephyr's apogee is expected to be somewhere between 660 and 670 meters above ground level, with recovery via its single large parachute. The weather looks very good for tomorrow, with clear skies and calm winds. Fingers crossed for a nominal launch and good flight data! 🚀 by @alecgriffiths1998

I went on a little roadtrip down the coast today, the first time in about four years. It was really nice seeing these views once again. The Neahkahnie Mountain viewpoint never disappoints. It's easily my favorite place on the Oregon coast.. 🌊 by @alecgriffiths1998