TALOS Assembly

The rocket used to test the SDL board is based on a modified Mustang kit from AeroTech. The kit provides a solid baseline airframe, which makes it a good starting point for avionics testing while still leaving room for small modifications to accommodate custom payload hardware. Assembly begins with the standard kit components—airframe tube, fins, motor mount, and recovery system—laid out and prepared before construction. Using a kit like this helps keep the structural side of the project predictable so the focus can remain on validating the electronics and data logging hardware during flight.

The fin assembly is bonded using West System 610 epoxy, a thickened structural adhesive well suited for small rocket construction. Each fin is aligned and epoxied to the airframe, with additional fillets applied along the root to increase strength and distribute aerodynamic loads more evenly into the body tube. Once cured, these fillets create a smooth transition between the fins and the airframe, improving both structural durability and aerodynamic performance.

After structural assembly is complete, the airframe is lightly sanded and prepared for finishing. The rocket is then primed and painted to provide a durable outer surface and improve visibility during flight and recovery. The final result is a clean, compact test vehicle ready to carry the SDL avionics payload for initial flight testing.