Gene Machine – 4 of 4

14 responses to “Gene Machine – 4 of 4”

1. 

   P_I_O_T_R

   Jul 22, 2008 at 6:58 pm

   uuuuuuuuuuuu

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2. 

   Ben McLeod

   Jul 22, 2008 at 7:06 pm

   I’m guessing that’s NOT supposed to happen.

   I hate hate hate it when people say this, but in this instance I think it’s appropriate: "Nice Capture!"

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3. 

   TomiTapio

   Jul 22, 2008 at 10:18 pm

   Ooh shiny! Perfect shrapnelitude.

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4. 

   SkipSteuart

   Jul 22, 2008 at 10:37 pm

   Obviously a major malfunction…

   It looks like the crew has a fighting chance.

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5. 

   jurvetson

   Jul 23, 2008 at 12:10 am

   heh… Yes, I’m sure Gene will be back for another go at it…. =)

   The forensic update from the field is that the forward and rear closures remained intact. The metal motor case ruptured open in the middle, a powerful and sudden CATO (or "Rapid Unscheduled Disassembly"). Looking at the photo, that explains the trajectory of the lower airframe. A forward closure failure looks more like an internal flame thrower:

   

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6. 

   electronic alchemist

   Jul 23, 2008 at 5:49 am

   Spectacular – how did you capture this?!

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7. 

   rocketmavericks

   Jul 23, 2008 at 6:00 am

   The closures and casing were fine. We looked at some of the grain porosity, and it appeared that some of the grains were not completely degassed. This will lead to significant pocketing in the propellant consistency, that will lead to pressure oscillations and an over pressure, which looks like the source of the problem.

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8. 

   msamaclean ©

   Jul 23, 2008 at 6:32 am

   Sounds right to me!?!…;-P
   Nice frames, Steve!

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9. 

   jurvetson

   Jul 23, 2008 at 4:54 pm

   e-alchemist: I was shooting 400mm by hand so I could pan up as the rocket goes supersonic. Thank you Image Stabilization! For launches, I shoot 1/5000 sec timing priority. I have experimented with 1/8000 sec, but the extra tack-sharp focus afforded trades off with the aperture.

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10. 

    vertigelt

    Jul 26, 2008 at 7:22 pm

    "Rapid Unscheduled Disassembly" Hah! Beautiful euphemism.

    —
    Seen next to a fellow photo of the group "Action now! POST 1, COMMENT ON 2". (?)

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11. 

    Vix Too

    Jul 29, 2008 at 11:00 pm

    Sorry I missed this launch, really feel bad for Gene!

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12. 

    jurvetson

    Oct 21, 2008 at 9:59 pm

    Well, worry not as WIRED issue 16.11 has a cool story and diagram of this rocket.
    .

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13. 

    Wind Watcher

    Aug 19, 2009 at 1:50 am

    Looking through my FAVs – this picture is wonderful to explore in the original size. Shutter speed (and a bit of luck in timing does it).

    Reply
14. 

    jurvetson

    Nov 4, 2012 at 7:47 pm

    Yes, it is best viewed full size.

    I was also reminded today that I panned down to get Gene’s expression… photo 5 of 4 in this sequence…

    

    Reply