2004 CSXT SPACESHOT PHOTOS
Launch of the 2004 CSXT GoFast Fuscient rocket. Photo by our friend and Minnesota Vikings photographer Billy Robin. Unfortunately we lost Billy several years ago.
This is the payload section and nose cone as it was found in the mountains and has not been moved yet. (l to r) unknown, yellow shirt Jim Hoffman, red shirt Jerry Larson and far right unknow.
CSXT Team leaders Ky Michaelson (stars and strips hat) and Jerry Larson (red hat) examine the recovered payload section and nose cone at the search staging area.
csxt 2004 photos
Launch Tower
Needed to be assembled from over 100 pieces
Constructing the Tower
Tony Cochran (r) reviews progress on the tower.
Adding Electronics to the Tower
John Gormley top, adding electronics while Jim Hoffman is holding a level to make sure the tower is at 90 degrees
GoFast in the Tower
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After all of the prep work is done the CSXT is loaded into the tower in preparation for flight
CSXT Rocket Motor
CSXT Rocket Motor - "S" class
CSXT Rocket Motor in Shipping Container
The cover to the rocket motor shipping container has just been removed. Motor was shipped on a standard trailer. If anyone asked on the trip this was a telescope. Motor was shipped under the Propellant Actuated Device Exemption available at the time and Ky Michaelson with a high explosives permit.
Loading Motor into Working Craddle
Jerry Larson (red hat) and Tony Cochran (white hat) load the motor into its support cradle
Checking The Nozzle
Jerry Larson (red hat) and Chuck Rogers (white hat) check the nozzle to verify proper installation.
The Rocket Vehicle Preparation
CSXT General Rocket Preparation Photos
Fin Can Attachment
Chuck Rogers (white hat) Jerry Larson (red shirt) and Bruce Lee (black shirt) attaching and checking the fin can.
Standalone Fin Can Section
Jerry Larson holding the fin can. It was separately machined and fitted to the rocket motor.
Parachute Installation
Ky Michaelson (stars hat) and Jerry Larson (red hat) installing and attaching the parachute system.
The Rocket Vehicle Preparation
CSXT General Rocket Preparation Photos
Preparing the Interface on the Motor for attaching the Payload Section
Jim Hoffman (sunglasses) Jerry Larson (red shirt) and Tony Cochran (stripe shirt) check the payload interface attachment ring prior to installing the payload section.
Nose Cone Attachment to the Payload Section
Jerry Larson (red hat) working to attach the nose cone to the payload section.
Fully Assembled Rocket Being moved to Launch Pad
Volunteers to the left, on right with white hair: Bruce Lee and red hat: Jerry Larson, moving the completed rocket vehicle to launch pad.
Loading The Rocket into the Launch tower
CSXT Launch Tower Loading
Adjusting Launch Rails
Once the rocket is in the launch tower the guide rails need to be adjusted for a tight fit (but slid able) and straight flight.
Rocket is ready for Flight
Loaded in tower and ready to go
Night Shot before day of launch
We worked into the night for final preparations.
Launch Control - in a trailer this time
A really nice facility for working and storage
Launch Control Trailer
After previous attempts were done in the open under a tent or canopy, we decided to get a real launch control center that can be closed up in bad weather and dust storms.
Launch Control Trailer
It had a back end drop down door that worked as a ramp and allowed to team to work on the vehicle and assemblies out of the sun and elements and we could store the rocket and parts there at night.
Launch Control Consoles
Pictured in launch control behind the systems consoles is Jerry Larson (red hat left) and Erik Larson (blonde hair right).
CSXT Weather Balloon Systems
Required by the FAA was winds aloft data for creating a firing solution
Preparing the Balloon for Launch
Ky Michaelson (stars hat) Tony Cochran (white hat) and Bruce Lee (no hat) prepare a weather balloon for launch
Balloon Away
Balloon has been launched, notice electronics and recovery parachute attached. It had real time tracking and Jerry Larson was in launch control watching the data come in. This information was fed into the CSXT developed winds aloft and trajectory analysis software to develop the settings for the launch pad for the proper trajectory.
Lots of Helium
We had to do a minimum of 3 balloons for each launch attempt and every launch attempt had windows of multiple days. If the launch time moves after we have started we have to launch more for current data. One of the earlier launches the Burning Man people visited and had fun talking funny with the gas, we actually ran out filling the last balloon of that launch.
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