Curiousity Launch from Webstream (2011-12-26)

Recorded from NASA TV using an iPhone 4s... a bit over-exposed but with additional heads and tails.

LJP1 Rocket Launch (2011-06-24)

First time launching a mid-power rocket. First time building and launching Aerotech RMS motors and reloadable motors of any type.Location: Bong Recreation Area between Kenosha and Burlington, WI, using an Aerotech Cheetah 32" rocket. First launch was successful using an Aerotech RMS 24/40 E11-3J motor. Second launch utilized an Aerotech RMS 24/40 E18-7W motor, resulting in CATO, with no ejection. I'll blame it on my 2 year old daughter Avery and 5 year old son Luke distracting me while I assembled my second reloadable rocket motor (ever) in the field. Get it together, Dad!

Midwest Power 9 Launches - Various (2011-12-01)

These videos were taken on Saturday, October 29, 2011 at Midwest Power 9 in Princeton, IL. I'd forgotten my video camera but used my iPhone 4s instead with decent results. Video was 1080/29.97i and compressed to progressive H264 at 5000k with mono audio. The Full-Scale Phoenix crash was a shame but an awesome sight at the same time. My young son and I had a blast launching low, mid and high-power rockets throughout the day and watching a bunch of really cool stuff that blew us both away. Thanks for the great event Wildman.

Sirius Rocketry Mid-Power Interrogator Blow Out (2012-05-10)

Midwest Power 9, Princeton, IL, October 29, 2011. My trusty, well-used and awesome-looking (thank you Sirius) Interrogator took it's last (for now) flight on an Aerotech E18. I've assembled the 24mm AT RMS a couple dozen times and feel comfortable with it. But a moment after liftoff the forward closure blew out, leaving the motor case and aft ring on the ground near the pad. The rocket traveled 100 feet or so and landed near the control table, the parachute and Nomex still in the sustainer and the forward closure was on the ground underneath it. You can see from the video that the engine mount was blown out. The sides of the body tube around the mount were torn open. The nose cone appears to separate. I'm guessing this is due to drag because the wadding and parachute did not eject. I'm assuming I made an error in the reload. I suppose it could be bad hardware but the threads on the forward closure look intact. Forgive the video quality; recorded with an iPhone 4s.