The H6c Launch Procedures

1. Assemble Penta-alfa-2 rocket motor completely. Igniter wiring should be short-circuited.
2. Separate motor thrust sensor segment and motor segment from the rest of the rocket. Disconnect electrical wiring (accelerometer plug and upper coaxial cable). Keep bolts and tooling at hand.
3. Mount motor in thrust sensor segment.
4. Connect antenna cable to lower coaxial feed through in thrust sensor segment.
5. Mount motor plus segment in motor segment using fit-ring at nozzle. Keep motor compartment vertical while doing this. Igniter wiring should be led through fit-ring.
6. Attach the 8 bolts to close motor compartment.
7. Apply pre-tension of maximum 100 N to rocket motor using central nut in thrust sensor segment.

H6c installation in launch tower

1. During mounting in the tower the nose tip protection shall remain installed.
2. The rocket shall be placed in the tower via the top.
3. The rocket shall be oriented in the tower with the hatch pointing downwards (i.e. azimuth direction of tower), pointing away from personnel performing launch preparations.
4. The rocket shall be placed on a wooden block under the fins in order not to damage the boat tail antenna.

H6c arming procedure and final launch sequence

• before starting this procedure, make sure that all steps which need to be performed are clear, that necessary systems are operative and that support crew is alert.
• This procedure is to be followed after successfully checking proper timer functioning using the H6 test box, as part of the rocket final integration activities.
• Start condition: rocket unpowered in launch tower, nose cone removed, SAFE plug attached, ground segment stand-by, communication link between launch tower and ground segment crew available.

1. Install BAT plug (system powering up) and start manual stopwatch counting at the same time.
2. If a buzzer alarm sounds: remove BAT plug and stop ARM procedure.

2. Checking on-board systems and telemetry test (duration 14 minutes)

1. Verify telemetry reception (note: for test purposes this procedure can also be monitored via the test computer plugged in the EXP connector running the RFA program).
2. Verify timer status bits: Count=0 (stop), Lift-off=1 (standby), Safe/arm =0 (safe). - Optimise telemetry reception in ground segment by adjusting receiver and antenna equipment.
3. Inform the crew of other telemetry receivers and allow for optimising equipment settings.
4. Install EXP plug from nose cone.
5. Verify analog monitors read-out being compatible with environment (especially nose tip temperature).
6. Verify that stopwatch count is in agreement with telemetry frame. - Verify controller status is in calibration phase.
7. Verify that battery voltage is at least 14 V.
8. Verify proper setting of cassette recorder and ground segment computers for recording data.

3. Arming (duration less than 5 minutes)

1. Install ARM plug (a buzzer alarm sounds)
2. Verify timer status bits: Count=0 (stop), Lift-off=1 (armed), Safe/arm=1 (armed). Only the safe/arm bit is allowed to change state from 0 to 1. If this is not the case, stop ARM procedure and leave rocket.
3. Verify igniter status bits (no.1, 2, 3) changing to logic 1.
4. Record approximate time of arming.
5. Place nose cone and tighten screws.
6. Remove nose tip protection.

4. Final countdown and launch sequence (duration less than 10 minutes)

1. Return to ground segment.
2. Wait for 5 minutes after arming to allow accelerometer internal calibration (lasting 1 second).
3. Verify that controller status enters Pre-lift-off phase 5:02 minutes after arming.
4. Inform launch control that synchronisation of launch sequence has to come an end.
5. Verify that launch window opens at 6:59 minutes after powering up and start count down for last 3 minutes exactly 3 seconds later.
6. Verify that launch window closes 7:12 minutes after powering up. Note: a launch window opens every 3 minutes, starting 6:59 after powering up and lasting for 13 seconds.
7. At 30 seconds before launch, start recorders.

H6c emergency disarming procedure

Start condition: any situation with the ARM plug installed.

1. Remove the ARM plug, buzzer alarm stops.
2. Install the SAFE plug.
3. Power down system by removing BAT plug.

If the ARM plug was already removed but the buzzer alarm can still be heard:

1. Keep safe distance to rocket (especially hatch).
2. Wait for at least 2 minutes before approaching rocket. Stay away from hatch site, do not move or alter rocket position.
3. Open nose cone (if necessary). - Install SAFE plug.
4. Power down system by removing BAT plug.

H6c disarming and IRM data protection procedure

1. Open nose cone by releasing screws. Watch out that the temperature sensor on the tip is not damaged.
2. Remove ARM plug, buzzer alarm should stop.
3. Install SAFE plug.
4. At this point it is preferable to connect the test computer with the IRMREAD program to retrieve the IRM data from the rocket. See procedure "IRM readout".
5. The rocket may now be powered down by removing the BAT plug.
6. Install nose cone and attach sensor protection, or remove nose cone completely by pulling the EXP plug from its connector.