Model Rocket w/Camera Crashes At Sea

This is an Estes Phoenix model rocket, fired from a scratch-built barge pushed by the Dumas electric tug "Farwell."

The rocket, heavily damaged from prior misadventures (see our earlier videos), was to be put out to pasture in this launch, by firing it into Peconic Bay without a recovery system (parachute). Two cameras were installed in a custom-built waterproof capsule in its midsection, though only the nose camera functioned properly. Four other cameras captured the launch from multiple angles on a warm December afternoon during the closing days of 2011.

To our great surprise, Phoenix glided several hundred feet in near-level flight after engine cutoff, and survived the violent impact with the water with hardly a scratch. It was recovered immediately after landing - along with its cameras. Far from being destroyed, the missile now sits in the RapidNadion storage yards, dry, strong, and ready for another maritime launch!

NASA radio chatter sound bites were taken from the NASA archives, and come from the Apollo 9, Apollo 13, and Space Shuttle programs. Thanks to user "harmsworth1" for inspiring us via his "Estes Mercury Atlas Rocket Flt 2" video, featuring similar sound effects.

Engine used: D12-7

Cameras used:

Sony Handycam HDR-CX130
Casio Exilim FC-150 (high-speed footage only)
GoPro Hero HD
Off-brand "gum stick" camera

For more on our misadventures, visit our website! http://www.RapidNadion.com

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Model
• rocket
• crash
• landing
• water
• ditch
• Estes
• Phoenix
• AIM-54
• missile
• launch
• Rapidnadion
• Peconic Bay
• Southold
• Robins Island
• fail
• GoPro
• Hero
• HD
• Casio
• Exilim
• FC-150
• Sony
• Handycam
• HDR-CX130

[PWALPOCO]

I have this model rocket myself - has a notoriously short flight if using D motors and prone to "weathercocking" in the slightest breeze - you did really well to get this flight off from a floating platform - great job.

[Rapidnadion]

@PWALPOCO Many thanks - what a great model it is, too. We've definitely experienced its "weathercocking" tendencies (see earlier videos), but despite having been through more than one disaster involving trees, the ground, and now water immersion ... she's still going strong! We're looking forward to launching Phoenix on another water mission soon. Another video will follow.

[Rapidnadion]

@PWALPOCO New video posted. Final flight of the Phoenix was ... considerably less successful.

[lagranhorabruja]

Wow!!! nice video. Congratulations :)

[Rapidnadion]

@lagranhorabruja @nghonleong @superiorsoundwave88 @MnktoDave Thanks for the compliments, all!

[TheDude2366]

I would love to see you get a missle to launch from a sub. Just find a tiny little A rocket. If you could find a way to keep it dry and get it to pop out of the water, then fire. I'm sure there is way. That would be epic!

[Rapidnadion]

@TheDude2366 We're definitely planning on doing something like that in the coming months!

[finalfrontier1701]

HA HA! That was awesome! I really got into it with the NASA chatter in the background.

[iSOisoleucine]

I really wonder how you built the circuit that activated the electric igniter...

[Rapidnadion]

@FartingMachine214 Thanks!

[Rapidnadion]

@bananananaman67 No; we built a capsule from plexiglas and mounted it to the rocket by passing it through a hole we cut in the fuselage.

[Rapidnadion]

@Metallurg1000 спасибо!

[nghonleong]

Very nicely done....video and model. Love the comments.....esp the "Houston we have a problem bit" with the rocket in the water! LOL