Launch Report

July 31, 1997
Billings, MT

Temp: low 80s
Wind: Gusty winds at times
Where: BLM land at 17 mile marker

Flights in order
RocketMotor
Estes AstrocamC6-3
Estes AstrocamC6-3
Estes Bull PupC6-5
Aerotech InitiatorE23-5T
Big Bertha 3 (Astron Ranger)A8-3 (3)
Estes ManiacD12-5
Shadow #2F40-7W
Estes Sandhawk (without Terrier)E15-7W (SU)
Shadow #2G64-4W
Aerotech CheetahF22-7J

Highlights
Grant and I went to launch some rockets. The first Astrocam flight I forgot to open the safety shutter. I finally repaired and flew the Bull Pup. The repaired fin broke off again when the Initiator landed. The first Shadow flight was without a payload. I flew the Sandhawk alone on an E15 (SU). The nose cone section was never seen, must have stripped the chute or broke the shock cord. Flew the Shadow with the IA-X96, reported 9.5 Gs, 264 mph, 1791 feet. Final flight was the repaired Cheetah, delay was much too long, and the motor ejected also. The RMS 29/40-120 casing was not recovered.