Merging video and data

Rocket electronics have gotten quite cheap - small altimeters and decent HD cameras can be had for as little as $30, putting "instrumented rocket flight" within the reach of every rocketeer. Most folks are content with keeping the video and data separate, but I have always been intrigued with synchronizing the data with the video, so that each frame can be tied to a specific height, speed, acceleration, etc. My first experiments (back in 2017) in doing this involved my Windows PC laptop and a program called DashWare; the software was somewhat cumbersome from a usability perspective (hey, it was free!) and so I soon lost motivation. Too much work!

DashWare created video

Time passes and new software appears. Late last year, I discovered that there was this software application called RaceRender, with capabilities like those offered in DashWare. The good news was that it was available for MacOS, meaning I could make use of my big screen iMac in creating data-synced videos; the bad news was that it cost money, especially if you wanted to remove the stupid program logo/watermark from the videos. After a bit of research, I made the plunge and bought the software. Fortunately, I was not disappointed with this purchase (unlike some others in the past).

Regardless of whether you use DashWare or RaceRender, you need two things to create a data-synced video - the video from the camera and the data from the altimeter, flight computer, or whatever. The video must be in a format readable by the software - not a problem for the cameras generally used by rocketeers - and the data should be in a file with numbers arranged in a comma separated value format (csv). Files downloaded from all logging altimeters of which I am aware are in this format, so again no problem. You may have to edit the csv file to remove parts before launch and well after landing, but this is pretty easy using Excel or some other spreadsheet application. The only gotcha is understanding the limitations of the software - for example, RaceRender can't deal with negative speeds, so you need to take the absolute value of speeds from altimeters (e.g., FlightSketch Mini) that give the descent speeds as negative.

RaceRender screen capture (Click to enlarge).

Once you have the input files properly formatted, you import them into the software and select the ways you want the data displayed - simple numbers, gauges, or graphs; it's up to you. Then you have to sync the data to the video by selecting a video frame corresponding to the first line of data, usually t = 0, the time of first motion on the launch pad. This is easy to do with most rocket videos, as first motion is readily apparent when you step frame by frame through the movie (unless the camera is pointing up - then it is really hard). You then invoke application's sync feature, et voila! The data is now properly displayed on the video as it plays. The final step is exporting your project into a standalone video, which you can share with your buddies on YouTube, FaceBook, etc.

This past Sunday I flew my Estes Solo with an Estes Astrocam and a FlightSketch Mini, as I wanted to get some footage of the glider separating from the rocket near apogee. The flight was successful - the C6-3 motor carried the rocket up to 222 feet and the glider separated at 200 feet, on the way down. I would like a better camera than the Astrocam - the shutter can't handle fast motion (distorts) and it does not have a good depth of focus - but better cameras are heavier and not easily carried by low impulse model rockets. I eagerly look forward to such critters appearing on the market.

Frames from the data-synced Solo video (Click to enlarge).

Vendor review - Apogee Components

I decided some time ago that I should occasionally write reviews of some of the vendors I patronize - to heap praise on the things they do right (which is often) and to keep them honest when they muff things up. A recent email from Apogee asking for a review/testimonial has led to this post, as I can add to the blog and give Apogee what they asked for (well, sort of) in a single writing. Plus Apogee starts with an "A", making it a logical choice for the first review. So let's begin, shall we?

Apogee Components (https://www.apogeerockets.com)

Started by Ed LaCroix back in 1989, Apogee was bought by Tim Van Milligan in 1995. He grew the business from a small one room shop into what I consider a true small business, now having several paid employees and a dedicated building. Apogee is noted for its wide selection of kits, of its own make and from other manufacturers, and is the developer of what is (probably) the best rocket design/simulation software available, RockSim. I have purchased items from the company for many years, and it has been very nice to watch it expand, both in the product line and in the services offered. Tim is a long-time competition rocketeer who is dedicated to the hobby and he does a pretty darn good job in balancing his company's interests with serving the rocketry community.

Positive aspects of Apogee Components

• Extremely fast shipping and 100% reliability: Tim guarantees your order will be shipped by the end of the next business day (same day for orders placed before 2 PM) and has always lived up to that promise (in my experience). I also have never received the wrong stuff - some vendors make mistakes in matching the packing with the order, but not Apogee. Tim offers the buyer a choice of shipping methods (motors have limited options) and ships using the service selected by the buyer. This may seem stupid to highlight, but there are some vendors who offer a choice of shipper and then ship USPS, regardless of what the buyer selects (and pays for). Apogee is 100% reliable in shipping - in my opinion, they are the best in the business. 
• Outstanding selection of rocket kits: Apogee has a very large selection of low and mid power kits, along with some that are Level 1 class high power. Not only do they have the usual stuff from Estes, Semroc, LOC, Aerotech, etc., they also have offerings from less well-known companies like Aggressor Aerospace Rocketry and J&H Aerospace. Apogee's line of 4 inch kits is very popular among high power novices - I cannot recall a HPR launch in the past few years when there was not a Zephyr, Katana, or Peregrine present. The Zephyr is especially beloved - there are often multiple Zephyrs leaving HARA's pads on launch day. I guess that's why Tim started offering the 24 mm powered Zephyr Jr. for those hesitant to dip their toes in the high power waters - it's a beauty at any size. Recent Apogee releases include a line of BT-55 based beginner rockets (Habu, Atomizer), and I agree with Tim's idea that bigger body tubes are better for novice rocketeers - easier to manipulate and pack the parachute. Not a big fan of the Habu's snake decor though <shudder>.
• Competition kits and parts: I am currently aware of only 3 companies that have kit and parts offerings suited to rocketeers wanting to participate in non-scale NRC and FAI competitions - Apogee, ASP Rocketry, and Galactic Manufacturing. Apogee has a good selection of kits that span the range of competition, from the Cirrus Breeze rocket glider to the EggTosser egg lofter to the International Thermal Sailor duration bird to the Rotary Revolution gyro copter to the Spek payload altitude rocket to the... well, you get the idea. They have lots of competition kits. These tend to be a bit on the heavy side, so you probably won't be setting any records with them, but they are more than good enough to put you on the NRC National Scoreboard. Beginners should take note of these offerings, as they are an excellent first step in building competition experience. Apogee also offers some competition parts - egg capsules (they may be the only current supplier of these), lightweight styrene nose cones, foam plugs to replace wadding, "fly-away" rail guides and launch towers.
• TARC: Speaking of competition, Apogee is an excellent source of parts for the annual TARC competitions. There are the usual body tubes, rail guides, motor retainers and so forth, but the company makes the most awesome egg cushions on the market, capable of protecting the fragile egg payloads even in catastrophic circumstances. I kid you not - I have seen TARC rockets come in ballistic, suffering major damage, and eggs in these cushions survived with nary a crack. We strongly recommend these to the local rocket teams and the number of messes has gone down significantly since they started using them. I am also a big fan of the colorful Apogee printed nylon parachutes - they are not only good for TARC rockets; I stuff them into any rocket of mine in which they fit (BT-50 and larger). Much better than plastic parachutes! Another part of Apogee's TARC support is their "TARC Bulk Pack of Parts", tailored for the active TARC contest year. Unlike past offerings from Estes and others - which were basically SPEAs (Spare Parts Elimination Assortments) - thought has been put into the Apogee parts assemblage. You can actually build 2 very competitive TARC rockets from this product. The only negative is the provision for a two 24 mm cluster in this year's TARC bulk pack... C'mon Tim, what top 10 TARC team has ever used a cluster? Despite this minor flaw, the TARC Bulk Pack of Parts is an excellent set of components for TARC teams, especially new ones. I sincerely hope Apogee continues to offer this product in future years.
• Tutorial videos, newsletter, and rocket plans(!): Tim renders a valuable service to the rocketry community through his many tutorial videos on pretty much all aspects of rocketry. We often ask novice rocketeers (especially TARC teams) to view those pertaining to rocket construction. The company's "Peak of Flight" newsletter has informative articles, and occasionally features a rocket design one can build from Apogee parts. The plans are near and dear to my heart, bringing back fond memories of the old Estes "Design of the Month" contest and similar featured in the Centuri newsletters. I particularly love the old Shrox designs, but there have been some good ones recently, like the "Fabled Flyer." BTW, if you can't or don't want to make decals for these designs, you can buy the markings from Apogee - a nice encouragement from Tim.

Negative aspects of Apogee Components

In this universe, nothing is ever perfect. No matter how good you are, there are always flaws. Even Apogee has one...

• Cost - Buying from Apogee ain't cheap. Expect to pay retail or something pretty close, and I sometimes wince at the prices. 31 bucks for a 2 stage BT-55 based kit? Ouch - even if it is very cool in appearance. To be fair, Apogee is a business; Tim has several mouths to feed, overhead on a big building and equipment costs/maintenance, etc., etc. - plus the inflated costs of materials these days. So one should not expect the discounts offered by AC Supply and a few other vendors (which are not as good as in the past, BTW). Tim acknowledges the price issue on his website - see "We are a bit more expensive, but your goals are worth it" on this page. Partially balancing out the higher prices is the Apogee VIR (Very Important Rocketeer) program which allows you to accumulate points that you can apply to future purchases. It's pretty good; I just used some of my points to purchase a fin jig to help my aging carcass get the fins on straight.

In summary, Apogee is one of the best rocket vendors out there. It offers a wide variety of products and even caters to niche markets like NRC/FAI competition and TARC. The company also offers excellent tutorial videos and materials, produced by a rocketeer with many, many years of experience. On top of this, they are fast and 100% reliable in shipping - they have never screwed up one of my orders. The only downside is the prices, but I am willing to pay more for the services and unique products Apogee offers. So please consider them when you are buying rocket stuff - you won't regret the purchase.

If you read this Tim, I have a request - please lay off the snake-themed rockets. I don't want rocket powered snakes haunting my dreams.

P.S. - RockSim/Launch Visualizer review to come later. It merits a separate post.

I get a thing in the mail...

 I went to the mailbox earlier this week, expecting the usual bills and "waste of paper" ads. However, there was a surprise - tucked in amongst the Arby's and Dominos flyers was a nice little postcard, sent to me by Ed Mitton. The card was one of 20 flown in the payload section of his Icarus rocket, which made its maiden voyage on March 3. I had read about it on his blog, and thought it was a supremely cool resurrection of an old concept. Had no idea I was one of the recipients though - the blog post implied he sent the cards to those attending the launch. I am pretty stoked about receiving one - may even do this myself at future launch.

Thanks Ed!!!!