Launching of "Big Red"
and the Cherokee D
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This page describes the
spectacular collision of Big Red and the Cherokee D
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Mike connects the Cherokee D in preparation for
a double launch with Big Red.
The two launch pads were about 20 feet apart. |
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The mangled Big Red lumbers off the pad.
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| The Cherokee D shoots off a
second later. |
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We have no photos of what happened next, but
here is an eyewitness account:
"Big Red took off. When it was about 30 feet high the Cherokee D
shot off the pad.
Under full thrust from its "D" engine, it struck the bottom of Big
Red like a guided missile!
The impact wrenched the nosecone off the Cherokee D. The exhaust
from Big Red's engine scorched the nosecone, body tube and fins.
The body tube buckled from the collision and red paint scarred the
length of it.
The Cherokee D, with its nosecone hanging off, began to yaw around
on its own center of gravity,
spinning like helicopter blades without the helicopter.
Meanwhile, Big Red continued upward, oblivious to what was happening
below." This should be accurate because the
eyewitness was me. |
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Scorched nosecone
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| Comparing the damage |
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Seriously wounded.
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The Cherokee D lived on for
another launch.
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Needs a fresh coat of "Invisible Paint" |
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It still looks good from the
back.
The fact that there is a "back" to a cylindrically shaped rocket
is a testimony to Mikey's rocket building skills.
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| Launch crew: Tom, Matt,
Chrissy, Mikey, Joe and Andrea |
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| Nine rockets were launched
this day. The launch was cut short because it started raining. |
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| NEXT
- rebuilding the rocket |
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