Supersonic Inbound

This photo is what convinced me to go to the XPRS rocket launches.

When they come in hot, you hear the sonic boom after it hits. This unplanned test demonstrates that Chevy transmissions have amazing stopping power. =)

Keep in mind, that with the layers of safety protocols, nobody has been injured there. But it sure is exciting.

[Photo by MachDiamond’s Tim Boschert, from a UROC launch]

12 responses to “Supersonic Inbound”

The Rocketeer

Sep 27, 2005 at 5:06 pm

You must be addicted to the adrenaline rush…

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Todd Huffman

Sep 27, 2005 at 8:34 pm

What safety protocols keep you safe from those kind of ballistics? Does everyone just scatter and cross thier fingers? Or do you hide?

The window for a reaction has to be pretty slim, given those things are going mach 2.

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Victor1

Sep 28, 2005 at 4:03 am

The only margin available is for one’s that still have working parachutes. Otherwise, you resign yourself to the slim chance of an exciting death! I have video of a fuselage piece landing 17 ft. away from me.

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Todd Huffman

Sep 28, 2005 at 4:18 am

eeep!
Did you see the fuselage coming!?!

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Victor1

Oct 1, 2005 at 1:34 am

Oddwick – NO! Dingdong was still photographing the plume when he overheard the crowd behind him getting excited. I turned around and just caught the tube hitting the ground – it didn’t have a cone but at that angle, it would have taken a chunk out of my head. It landed about 18 ft. away. See my page for frames from the video.

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eatingorange

Nov 25, 2005 at 6:57 pm

Safety protocol: Everyone straps a Chevy transmission to their chest.

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BenODen

Feb 22, 2006 at 5:18 pm

*Gulp* 18 feet. That’s a near thing.

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TroyWorks

Jun 20, 2006 at 8:07 am

I’d love to be in on that call to the insurance rep explaining it.

Of course you could say it was an act of god "a firey meteor fell from the sky"

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determined bushes

Jan 4, 2007 at 10:49 pm

While this event gets popular, someone should build a few bunkers for the gawkers to feel safe.

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healthy soup

May 19, 2007 at 1:01 am

looks like a giant AA cell !

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IsthmusMediaGroup

Jun 13, 2007 at 5:10 pm

Sweet shot!

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harper66

Nov 21, 2007 at 6:03 am

You sure this one wasn’t laser guided into an enemy’s vehicle? CH

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Supersonic Inbound

12 responses to “Supersonic Inbound”

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