I'm telling you it doesn't get hot or (load up) if you place it
properly. And I'm going to present you with that data shortly.
It does indeed work.
Now the ones I used came in the older model of this device and they have
since changed the part number and that newer model is cheaper. I don't
believe this newer part is not useful or may not even be better but I
have not tested the new part number above about 500 mph but they did
work in the stratosphere to fly back a glider that came within 2 MPH of
breaking the model speed record.
The ones that flew on the Q Impulse attempt where the old part number
and did not reach 100kft but no heat soak occurred on that flight. 65kft
I have the data logged I'll have to pull that out of the data but that
is doable.
After I get done with the turbopump project I'll have to get back to the
guidance problems I never solved. I'm not even saying I'll be using the
thermopiles in the end but for straight up I don't think you can beat
them. They are rugged and simple.
Monroe
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: [AR] Re: Spin stabilized rocket
From: Norman Yarvin <yarvin@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Tue, December 25, 2018 7:54 pm
To: arocket@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
On Mon, Dec 24, 2018 at 09:07:09PM -0500, Henry Spencer wrote:
In fact, they say: "...the reality is that sensor range is probably less
than 1 mile. Therefore, it does not really "see" the horizon. It sees the
average temperature profile all around and inside of 1 mile to determine
level attitude..." So, how well does this work when there's nothing but air
within 1 mile, or 10 miles, in all directions?
Well, there's still a temperature gradient, so more thermal IR coming
up from below than down from above, so the task is still possible in
theory. (Yes, in the stratosphere, the temperature gradient reverses,
but by the time you get that high the air is so thin that the quoted
mile of range will have vastly expanded.) The earth is still warm
relative to space when you're in orbit. Still, this particular device
is sold for model aircraft use, not for rocketry, so (as Derek already
mentioned) it's unlikely to handle aerodynamic heating well. Even if
it didn't melt, the heating would confuse it.