"Space Express" Wrapup

Tyler Doering wrapped up the Ky Space "Space Express" mission and displayed a number of photos, many of which you can see in the Flickr badge on right side of this blog.

All of the payload systems were designed by the student design team, so they had to be robust. As Tyler explained, 1.5 seconds into the flight, the rocket and dart are pulling 150 G's - so it's a harsh ride.

He recounts the arrival at White Sands, sight reconnaissance, communications with the launch provider and payload integration, and finished with a video of the launch. You can watch it in the YouTube player on the right. Unfortunately, the Super Loki failed but not before payload telemetry was received.

The student-designed systems worked.

The dart that held the payload was not recovered, but Tyler displayed pictures of the recovered booster. Though disappointed that the rocket didn't' reach altitude, the whole Space Express mission provided an invaluable experience that will be helpful for the orbital launch, he added.

Getting a launch out of White Sands was a privilege few can say they've had.

Follow up questioning focused on student participation and coordination, student stipends, how one coordinates the efforts of six state institutions and potential commercial applications of the effort.

Wayne