Posts: 42981 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 05-05-2016 11:40 AM
GoPro Awards video
On Nov. 6, 2015 UP Aerospace Inc. launched the 20-foot (6 meter) tall SL-10 rocket into near-space. The mission: deploy the Maraia Capsule testing the aerodynamics and stability of the payload on re-entry to the atmosphere. The rocket reached an altitude of 396,000ft (120,700 meters) and speeds up to Mach 5.5 (3800mph or 6115km/h) at engine burnout.
SkyMan1958 Member
Posts: 867 From: CA. Registered: Jan 2011
posted 05-05-2016 05:28 PM
Does anyone have any idea why the second stage is disconnected from the first stage (around 1:50 in the clip)? After all, if the payload is already ejected, what is the point of splitting the rocket up into first and second stages? Or is the "second stage" the actual payload and the camera was placed in what was in essence the fairing?
cycleroadie Member
Posts: 452 From: Apalachin, NY USA Registered: May 2011
posted 05-05-2016 06:03 PM
While this is higher than anything I've ever seen done personally, in model rocketry, normally all stages parachute to the ground, the stages most likely split apart due to the chutes not being able to support the total weight, so each stage gets its own chutes.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42981 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 05-05-2016 06:07 PM
According to NASA, the camera was in the nose fairing, and what it captured was the UP Aerospace booster separating and ejecting the Maraia capsule.
...this was the first launch where payloads were ejected separately requiring independent re-entry under individual parachutes into the atmosphere.
SkyMan1958 Member
Posts: 867 From: CA. Registered: Jan 2011
posted 05-05-2016 11:22 PM
Thank you for the info and the link!
sev8n Member
Posts: 233 From: Dallas TX USA Registered: Jul 2012
posted 06-05-2016 02:06 PM
Can anyone comment on what looks like delamination of the composite booster casing around the 1:00 mark? Is this normal?