How long was that delay? (too long)

The following sequence shows what happens when the motor ejection charge runs a little long and pops the chute after the rocket has gone way past apogee.  

Here are the (DivX) videos of the launch at 1/2 speed (then slower at ejection) and full length, full speed.

1/2 Speed (3.9mb)    Full Flight (6.6mb)  Note: There isn't audio for these videos

Here the rocket is at speed, heading towards the ground. We thought maybe the motor delay (7 seconds) had failed.

 

Luckily it didn't and the virgin Spherachute gets shoved out into the open air.

For a brief moment the nose cone (with camera) is ahead of the booster, but as soon as the chute opens...

 

...the booster comes flying past. 

There was a lot of shock cord (about 10 feet or so)...

 

...and for a moment there it looked like all would go well...

 

...with the booster starting to pull on the cord...

 

...then reaching the end...

...and putting full force on the cord, that then politely proceeded...

 

..to snap.

 

And away falls the booster.

 

Luckily it is pretty sturdy, so there was minimal damage.

 

Even more EyeCam footage