Estes Rocket Parachute Ejection Pistons

This design provides a piston type parachute recovery system for various body tube sizes for use with Estes model rocket body tubes. The body tube size is imprinted on the side of each piston. Though still under development, I have tested a paper and balsa wood version that worked quite well. The primary purpose is to assist in designing a parachute system based on a piston concept, eliminating the need to use wadding each time the rocket is launched.

A normal (flat) rubber band shock cord is attached to a bar on the underside of the piston, while the parachute cords are attached to the inside of the piston (possibly using fishing lure hooks). The shock cord must be attached to the tube below the area the piston must travel to provide clearance. Ensure sufficient space is available between the piston and the nose cone (or payload base bulkhead) to fit the parachute(s) to be used.

Hope you can find this useful.