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 |
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Here the rocket is at speed, heading towards the ground. We thought maybe the motor delay (7 seconds) had failed.
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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...
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...the booster comes flying past. |
There was a lot of shock cord (about 10 feet or so)...
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...and for a moment there it looked like all would go well...
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...with the booster starting to pull on the cord...
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...then reaching the end... |
...and putting full force on the cord, that then politely proceeded...
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..to snap.
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And away falls the booster.
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Luckily it is pretty sturdy, so there was minimal damage.
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