AE100SD Launch at Flatville 11/4/2006

Two days before the launch, the entire class of 60 students met to weigh their rockets and payloads so they could accurately predict the performance of the models. Photo by Greg Smith

2009-02-16T01:27:29Z

CIA-Rocketry
Two days before the launch, the entire class of 60 students met to weigh their rockets and payloads so they could accurately predict the performance of the models. Photo by Greg Smith

One of the camera payloads weighs in at 0.550 pounds. Photo by Greg Smith

2009-02-16T01:25:21Z

CIA-Rocketry
One of the camera payloads weighs in at 0.550 pounds. Photo by Greg Smith

The class met early at the launch site. The weather was only marginal for flying -- winds were 15 to 20 MPH from the south, and there was solid cloud cover at about 6000' (fortunately, abov ...

2009-02-16T01:25:33Z

CIA-Rocketry
The class met early at the launch site. The weather was only marginal for flying -- winds were 15 to 20 MPH from the south, and there was solid cloud cover at about 6000' (fortunately, abov ...

CIA members Chris Deem and Mark Joseph assisted in assembling and inserting the motors and packing the recovery systems. Jonathan Sivier, William Carney, Adam Joseph, Alan Carroll and Greg ...

2009-02-16T01:25:08Z

CIA-Rocketry
CIA members Chris Deem and Mark Joseph assisted in assembling and inserting the motors and packing the recovery systems. Jonathan Sivier, William Carney, Adam Joseph, Alan Carroll and Greg ...

Rocket scientist, or Jedi Knight? Alan Carroll favors keeping warm over trying to look cool. Photo by Christopher Brian Deem

2009-01-07T19:15:01Z

CIA-Rocketry
Rocket scientist, or Jedi Knight? Alan Carroll favors keeping warm over trying to look cool. Photo by Christopher Brian Deem

The crowd of students, with Jonathon helping to prep a rocket. Photo by Christopher Brian Deem

2009-01-07T19:16:39Z

CIA-Rocketry
The crowd of students, with Jonathon helping to prep a rocket. Photo by Christopher Brian Deem

Starting to prepare the first rocket for flight. Photo by Christopher Brian Deem

2009-01-07T19:18:33Z

CIA-Rocketry
Starting to prepare the first rocket for flight. Photo by Christopher Brian Deem

It wasn't arctic tundra cold, but it was a cold, windy day, so everyone was bundled up. Photo by Christopher Brian Deem

2009-01-07T19:17:35Z

CIA-Rocketry
It wasn't arctic tundra cold, but it was a cold, windy day, so everyone was bundled up. Photo by Christopher Brian Deem

Loading the first rocket on the pad. The payloads and nose cones were installed at the pad after activating the recording devices. Photo by Greg Smith

2009-02-16T01:25:44Z

CIA-Rocketry
Loading the first rocket on the pad. The payloads and nose cones were installed at the pad after activating the recording devices. Photo by Greg Smith

After hooking up the igniter in the first rocket, Mark Joseph returns to the control area for the launch. Photo by Greg Smith

2009-02-16T01:26:18Z

CIA-Rocketry
After hooking up the igniter in the first rocket, Mark Joseph returns to the control area for the launch. Photo by Greg Smith

Liftoff of the first rocket with a J350-L motor. Note the debris thrown up from the ground. The village of Flatville is visible in the distance. Photo by Greg Smith

2009-02-16T01:27:34Z

CIA-Rocketry
Liftoff of the first rocket with a J350-L motor. Note the debris thrown up from the ground. The village of Flatville is visible in the distance. Photo by Greg Smith

Loading the second rocket on the pad. Photo by Greg Smith

2009-02-16T01:24:18Z

CIA-Rocketry
Loading the second rocket on the pad. Photo by Greg Smith

Mark installs the igniter in the second rocket. Photo by Greg Smith

2009-02-16T01:27:16Z

CIA-Rocketry
Mark installs the igniter in the second rocket. Photo by Greg Smith

Loading the RDAS and GPS payload before fastening on the nose cone. Photo by Greg Smith

2009-02-16T01:25:33Z

CIA-Rocketry
Loading the RDAS and GPS payload before fastening on the nose cone. Photo by Greg Smith

Mark hooks up the igniter leads, the last step before leaving the launch pad. Unfortunately, there was no usable liftoff photo of this rocket. Photo by Greg Smith

2009-02-16T01:25:32Z

CIA-Rocketry
Mark hooks up the igniter leads, the last step before leaving the launch pad. Unfortunately, there was no usable liftoff photo of this rocket. Photo by Greg Smith

Two of the rockets suffered shock cord separations that allowed the payload sections to free-fall to the ground. Fortunately, neither was severely damaged. This shows the second rocket dur ...

2009-02-16T01:26:04Z

CIA-Rocketry
Two of the rockets suffered shock cord separations that allowed the payload sections to free-fall to the ground. Fortunately, neither was severely damaged. This shows the second rocket dur ...

Because of the high wind, the rockets drifted a good distance, over a mile in a couple of cases. Some of the students spent most of their morning walking through the farm fields surrounding ...

2009-02-16T01:24:55Z

CIA-Rocketry
Because of the high wind, the rockets drifted a good distance, over a mile in a couple of cases. Some of the students spent most of their morning walking through the farm fields surrounding ...

Liftoff of the third rocket. All the rockets flew very straight, especially considering the wind, and reached altitudes around 4000'. Photo by Greg Smith

2009-02-16T01:25:32Z

CIA-Rocketry
Liftoff of the third rocket. All the rockets flew very straight, especially considering the wind, and reached altitudes around 4000'. Photo by Greg Smith

Preparing to insert the payload into the fourth rocket. Photo by Greg Smith

2009-02-16T01:24:25Z

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Preparing to insert the payload into the fourth rocket. Photo by Greg Smith

The fourth rocket at the moment of ignition. Photo by Greg Smith

2009-02-16T01:27:54Z

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The fourth rocket at the moment of ignition. Photo by Greg Smith

The parachute on the fourth model ejected properly but did not open through most of the descent. After looking closely at this photograph, we figured out why: one of the tubing couplers use ...

2009-02-16T01:25:49Z

CIA-Rocketry
The parachute on the fourth model ejected properly but did not open through most of the descent. After looking closely at this photograph, we figured out why: one of the tubing couplers use ...

Luckily, the parachute finally opened about 200 feet above the ground, just a couple of seconds before the rocket would have impacted. So this rocket landed safely, and much closer to the l ...

2009-02-16T01:26:26Z

CIA-Rocketry
Luckily, the parachute finally opened about 200 feet above the ground, just a couple of seconds before the rocket would have impacted. So this rocket landed safely, and much closer to the l ...

Students load the fifth and final class rocket on the pad. Photo by Greg Smith

2009-02-16T01:25:54Z

CIA-Rocketry
Students load the fifth and final class rocket on the pad. Photo by Greg Smith

Loading the payload in the final rocket. Photo by Greg Smith

2009-02-16T01:27:00Z

CIA-Rocketry
Loading the payload in the final rocket. Photo by Greg Smith

The fifth and final AE100SD rocket just after ignition, with the flame of the motor lighting up the smoke cloud from within. Photo by Greg Smith

2009-02-16T01:27:34Z

CIA-Rocketry
The fifth and final AE100SD rocket just after ignition, with the flame of the motor lighting up the smoke cloud from within. Photo by Greg Smith

Beautiful, straight liftoff of the last class rocket. Photo by Greg Smith

2009-02-16T01:28:15Z

CIA-Rocketry
Beautiful, straight liftoff of the last class rocket. Photo by Greg Smith

Recovery of the fifth rocket. Photo by Greg Smith

2009-02-16T01:25:54Z

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Recovery of the fifth rocket. Photo by Greg Smith

William Carney kept an eye on recovery operations with his powerful binoculars, designed for astronomy. Photo by Greg Smith

2009-02-16T01:27:41Z

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William Carney kept an eye on recovery operations with his powerful binoculars, designed for astronomy. Photo by Greg Smith

After the rockets were recovered and returned, we removed the motors so the casings could be cleaned (yuck) and re-used next year. Photo by Greg Smith

2009-02-16T01:26:23Z

CIA-Rocketry
After the rockets were recovered and returned, we removed the motors so the casings could be cleaned (yuck) and re-used next year. Photo by Greg Smith

One of the student teams celebrates a successful flight and recovery of all the rocket components. Photo by Greg Smith

2009-02-16T01:26:27Z

CIA-Rocketry
One of the student teams celebrates a successful flight and recovery of all the rocket components. Photo by Greg Smith

Will Carney's rocket taking off, the launcher in the fore ground was blown over by the wind. Photo by Christopher Brian Deem

2009-01-07T19:17:48Z

CIA-Rocketry
Will Carney's rocket taking off, the launcher in the fore ground was blown over by the wind. Photo by Christopher Brian Deem

To finish the day, William Carney flew one of his own rockets. After this pretty liftoff, it separated early and was slightly damaged. We gave up trying to launch any more due to the windy ...

2009-02-16T01:26:29Z

CIA-Rocketry
To finish the day, William Carney flew one of his own rockets. After this pretty liftoff, it separated early and was slightly damaged. We gave up trying to launch any more due to the windy ...