Rocket Recovery, far, far afield.
She blasted off on the largest legal motor we can fly with her in California, going 0 to 632 MPH in 3.46 seconds and setting a new altitude record for the Sledgehammer airframe.
WIRED described it as “a black rocket 7 1/2 feet long that looks like a scaled-down cross between a ’60s-vintage X-15 rocket plane and a surface-to-air missile.” I have since extended it to 9 ft. by adding a video camera bay. Here is the onboard video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x73PUV0rMyM&hd=1
The rocket was huge, but the winds took her far away. Luckily we had a RF beacon on board, and even more helpful was a Navy pilot who’s keen eyes and tracking skills brought us so very close.
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