Newsgroups: rec.models.rockets
From: Paul Robinson & Ken Mizoi
Date: 1996/08/21
Subject: **"OuR" Project press release**

To All Fellow Rocketeers:

The "OuR" project was launched Friday, August 16th, 1996 at 9:05 PST. All available flight data is still being analyzed so any information presented is preliminary and is provided for the courtesy of all those who have supported the "OuR" team.

First, the principal members of the "OuR" team are, in alphabetical order, Frank Kosdon, Phil Prior, Paul Robinson, and Jim Rosson. These dedicated souls spent two years of dedicated research and effort, not to mention tens of thousands of dollars, to build and fly the "OuR" project.

The R motor is a proprietary engine design with the propellant provided by Frank Kosdon. It was 10.5" in diameter and contained almost 300 pounds of propellant, including a 21 pound, full diameter delay "cake" for tracking. It was calculated to burn for 10.5 seconds, and provide 285,000 Newtons of total impulse. Yes, in rocketeer terms an R27,000!

The airframe was 21 feet long, with a 5 to 1 conical nose. The gross launch mass was about 700 pounds. On board was a ten watt video downlink, provided by Jon Dunbar, a Trimble GPS, video overlay and associated electronics, provided by Bob Rau, and various other backup electronics. Both main and drouge parachutes were provided by Bob Stroud.

The rocket was launched in almost no winds, pointing a few degrees away from the town of Gerlach, NV for safety reasons. The rocket flew perfectly straight and the motor functioned flawlessly with a total activity time around 12 to 14 seconds. The rocket coasted for about 80 seconds, slightly more than calculated, into the ozone layer. The altitude simulations pointed to an expected altitude of just under 100,000 feet. With the increased activity time and increased coast time, the altitude most likely exceeded 100,000 feet.

One highlight of this flight was the video data transmitted back to earth from approximately twenty miles in the sky. What was seen was a clear outline of the entire Black Rock Dessert and the surrounding terrain, the curvature of the earth, and the great blackness of the space.

Higher altitudes are accessible by smaller rockets, but the intent of this project was to successfully build and fire a "large" rocket motor. Previously, only commercial enterprises have had success with motors of over four inches in diameter and the results of last year's BALLS launch support this presumption. Furthermore, the instruments carried aloft simply would not fit in say a 54mm "altitude optimized" motor.

Unfortunately, the rocket failed to deploy its recovery systems and accelerated to over Mach 1 and impacted into the sand dunes several miles away. There was a loud sonic boom heard by all that literally shook the earth. In fact, instead of the nominal "hole and fin slits" seen in previous impacts, there was a twenty foot diameter area with large chunks of sheared earth as if a high energy charge had been detonated under the ground. The rocket was not recovered, but several pieces of metal, fiberglass, and burnt Nomex were found indicating the ejection charges did in fact fire.

As more data is analyzed, and more hard facts are gathered, more information will follow. Furthermore, the rights to the video are in the negotiation stage with the various film crews present, but do expect a very detailed video from Earl Cagle of Point 39 Productions.

Once again, the "OuR" Project members wish to express sincere thanks to all those who listened, donated, and gave their support who were not specifically named. This project would not have flown if were not for the "believers" and the tremendous team spirit. Only they know the sweat and the number of hours it takes to fly such a rocket.

Members of the "OuR" Team