At V2 Rocket History our aim is to investigate the history and technology of the A4-V2 missile, and share the results in the most accessible and engaging way possible. Our general approach is to highlight the engineering and industrial aspects of the subject.
1 Comment
Thank you very much for all of the information about the rocket that accelerated R&D for space travel. Of course, very tragic that it took war among nations to speed the work.
I am fascinated by the guidance and control systems employed by the earliest V2 rockets, and subsequent rockets – like the Redstone, etc. Before the availability of radar control, and higher technologies, guidance and control was more “practical” engineering – employing the concepts and laws of physics.
The information about how gyroscopes are used for control is great. Thank you for that. Two devices I am trying to learn more about, are the PIGA, and the “tilt program”. I think the V2 used them to establish the flight path, and determine when to cut off the engine – beginning ballistic flight.
I understand how gyro precession is used to measure velocity by integrating the sensed acceleration.
What I don’t understand, is how the PIGA’s torque motor is controlled so that it can turn the wheel that accomplishes the integration. Does the pendulum position sensing switch make and break contact – thereby pulsing the motor? Would the frequency of those pulses be proportional to the acceleration?
Also, documentation I have read talks about a “tilt program” that starts 4 seconds after launch, and gradually alters the pitch of the rocket until it is at approx. 49 degrees. How was that accomplished? Did it rotate a gyroscope with a motor and gears – turning at a specific rate? I enjoyed your video that explained the switch that activated / deactivated when the rocket separated from the launch platform. Great stuff! Thank you!
Thank you very much for all of the information about the rocket that accelerated R&D for space travel. Of course, very tragic that it took war among nations to speed the work.
I am fascinated by the guidance and control systems employed by the earliest V2 rockets, and subsequent rockets – like the Redstone, etc. Before the availability of radar control, and higher technologies, guidance and control was more “practical” engineering – employing the concepts and laws of physics.
The information about how gyroscopes are used for control is great. Thank you for that. Two devices I am trying to learn more about, are the PIGA, and the “tilt program”. I think the V2 used them to establish the flight path, and determine when to cut off the engine – beginning ballistic flight.
I understand how gyro precession is used to measure velocity by integrating the sensed acceleration.
What I don’t understand, is how the PIGA’s torque motor is controlled so that it can turn the wheel that accomplishes the integration. Does the pendulum position sensing switch make and break contact – thereby pulsing the motor? Would the frequency of those pulses be proportional to the acceleration?
Also, documentation I have read talks about a “tilt program” that starts 4 seconds after launch, and gradually alters the pitch of the rocket until it is at approx. 49 degrees. How was that accomplished? Did it rotate a gyroscope with a motor and gears – turning at a specific rate? I enjoyed your video that explained the switch that activated / deactivated when the rocket separated from the launch platform. Great stuff! Thank you!