Blue BALLS

Canon EOS 5D Mark II

ƒ/2.8

35 mm

1/20

1600

The BALLS tee-shirts were ice blue this year, appropriate for forecasted highs in the mid-40s, and reflective of how Jeff’s team must have felt with their large hybrid R-motor rocket, rebuilt for the fifth time… hoping for a successful launch this year in the Black Rock Desert.

Here’s a video of their overnight rush to get it ready before the bad weather forecast. Then off they go to the custom hydraulic pad, to load 200 lbs of nitrous oxide…

With the rocket erect with anticipation, and an eager crowd, the sandstorms blew in. And then snow.

Down comes the rocket, with a similarly long process of disassembly. But at least it survived BALLS this year. =)

6 responses to “Blue BALLS”

jurvetson

Oct 14, 2009 at 5:05 am

I captured the 2008 attempt… and flame out:

The combustion chamber in the rear section was not sealed properly. The video references the redesign, and the reuse of the nitrous tank from the remains of 2008.

2007 at the (rebuilt) pad…

And the 2004 CATO:

"Five seconds after the fire button was released the vehicle went BOOM!

The cause of the cato was oxidizer leaking into the combustion chamber. This resulted in the fuelgrain becoming frozen or layered with ice. During ignition, pieces of frozen fuel grain or ice broke off and clogged the nozzle resulting in over pressurization of the motor case. Once the shock wave entered the oxidizer tank the vehicle fragmented and pieces were propelled in every direction."

Reply
Todd Huffman

Oct 14, 2009 at 9:30 am

Oh no!, that’s horrible! When are they going to launch it?

Reply
Duncan Rawlinson – Duncan.co

Oct 14, 2009 at 1:39 pm

Whats with all the Altoids on the table?

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rwoodworkr

Oct 14, 2009 at 4:18 pm

‘Erect with anticipation’, only to be shut down. Bummer. 😉

Reply
Victor1

Oct 16, 2009 at 5:43 am

when are they going back to solid fuel and give up on that thang? Its never worked!

Reply
Ben Jarvis 01

Nov 19, 2009 at 7:37 am

It has worked…. I’ve seen it fly!

In general, amateur built solids have a far higher failure rate than amateur built hybrids, especially at this size. They are also safer and cheaper.

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Blue BALLS

6 responses to “Blue BALLS”

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