A model of a Canadian Black Brant rocket secured to the rocket sled.
This "D" powered model is capable of flights to over 300 meters.

    The rocket sled is a rocket test bed designed to measure engine performance and check out all rocket functions from engine ignition through to parachute ejection.  This allows the test firing of a rocket in an area where there is not enough room to fly them.

    The finished rocket is securely attached to a wire-guided sled. It is then loaded with an engine and ignitor. Finally it is attached to the rocket launch system and the engine is fired.  The sled accelerates along parallel 25 meter cables. At the end of its run, the sled is captured by a bungee cable and held in place until the chute ejection charge blows the parachute out.

    Campers involved in computer engineering often use the rocket sled to develop computer monitor and control systems including computer controlled rocket launching and using sensors placed along the cable to monitor acceleration and engine performance.
 
 

These campers at the Hila Ottawa Summer Camp prepare their "C" powered Alpha for a test run on the rocket sled.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The large "C" engine accelerates the Estes Alpha down the cables.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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