The path of instability

Our launch waiver from the FAA reopened for night launches. Creative rockets with strobe lights and various blinking contraptions glittered like alien ships at they drifted down on parachutes in the perfectly clear star sprinkled sky.

This photo by Ian Kluft of a drag race between two rockets shows the path that an unstable rocket can take…. The straight shot on the left is the winner.

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Comments

cybele says:

hot damn thats great!
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

biotron says:

fantastic!
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

_sarchi says:

Light fantica
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

Vanita says:

Now *that* is a burning man!
Incredibilis!
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

The Rocketeer says:

Awesome capture, Steve! What camera and exposure setting did you use?
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

Solitaire1 [deleted] says:

I first thought it to be an image from the burning man...very nice night capture
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

NothingToDeclare says:

actually, we have a lower waiver for night launches. It's 15,000 feet if I recall correctly.
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

Mr. Physics says:

Absolutely awesome!!! This is one of my favorite/best photos I have seen in a long time. I love it!
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

Iris V says:

Wow, great lines!!!
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

nep says:

This picture truly captures an amazing moment.
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

beigeinside says:

the image alone is great.
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

somnambulant says:

awesome.. +fav
Posted 46 months ago. ( permalink )

Creativity+ Timothy K Hamilton says:

There is a group for photos with over 2000 views. You may move the photo to that group, if you like. Great shot!
Posted 45 months ago. ( permalink )

*helmen says:

great
Posted 45 months ago. ( permalink )

jurvetson says:

I just posted a video of a supersonic shred on Revver. The rocket screamed to Mach 2 on a L-size motor, and the pressure wave ripped the fins off making it temporarily unstable (corkscrew). You can hear the warning siren (something I was used to hearing by that point… =) and the chatter of people spotting the fins and other chunks as they rained down around us. A classic RUD – “ Rapid Unscheduled Disassembly”.

Other videos:
• Russian Roar ending with “Remember, mortgage before motors.”
• Big Rocket with N2000 motor
• Videocam on Rocket launched near Stanford (also Livermore)
• My first launch… with Baking Soda & Vinegar
=)
Posted 44 months ago. ( permalink )

jurvetson says:

Just saw a more dramatic daytime video of a J350 forward closure failure. The rocket is toast. Propellant shoots forward, like you see in the night shot above.
Posted 44 months ago. ( permalink )

thnkfst says:

that is so cool! I love the design it made.
Posted 36 months ago. ( permalink )

Dew Drop says:

wow...very fascinating!!! Awesome shot!

Thanks for sharing it in "Paths" thread :)
The World Through My Eyes
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

mosippy says:

Totally cosmic. Very cool. Well done!!

The World Through My Eyes
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

borealnz says:

So beautiful and dramatic!

The World Through My Eyes
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

BenODen says:

HUH! I just saw something new in the daytime video.. At the end, Is that a Coyote that is just hanging out unconcerned?
Posted 33 months ago. ( permalink )

.s.e.a.n. says:

Very cool...
Posted 31 months ago. ( permalink )

schoschie says:

Beautiful photo. This would make a very nice poster.
Posted 23 months ago. ( permalink )

Mr. Physics says:

In Marc’s opinion, this is Great Photography. You are hereby invited to submit this photo for inclusion in the collection of Great Photography, in Marc's opinion.

(This is not another one of those award/trophy/icon-based invitation-only groups that clutter up photo comment sections with too many irritating graphics. You don’t get any graphics, can’t vote for or invite anyone else to add their photo, and nothing is asked of you other than to add your photo to the group pool. However, you are welcome to join the group, and submit other photos for consideration.)

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Great Photography, in Marc's opinion, and we'd love to have your photo added to the group.
Posted 19 months ago. ( permalink )

Christopher Vigliotti says:

awesome!
Posted 16 months ago. ( permalink )

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Taken on September 27, 2005

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The path of instability

Comments

cybele says:

biotron says:

_sarchi says:

Vanita says:

The Rocketeer says:

Solitaire1 [deleted] says:

NothingToDeclare says:

Mr. Physics says:

Iris V says:

nep says:

beigeinside says:

somnambulant says:

Creativity+ Timothy K Hamilton says:

*helmen says:

jurvetson says:

jurvetson says:

thnkfst says:

Dew Drop says:

mosippy says:

borealnz says:

BenODen says:

.s.e.a.n. says:

schoschie says:

Mr. Physics says:

Christopher Vigliotti says:

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