Parachute at Take Off (Oregon State University)

August 19, 2023
With a tropical storm looming over the horizon, Oregon State University pushed forward with their launch plans, and found the weather cool and inviting out in the Mojave Desert, with relatively clear skies and calm winds. In 12 hours, the entire desert would become inundated with uncharacteristically high rainfall which would see the roads close and the dry lakes fill with water.
The High Altitude Rocket Team, or HART, is a project under OSU's AIAA chapter, and specializes in two stage rockets. This is HART's first launch out at FAR, and the team has come bearing an "O" class rocket to launch on the new Pad 2 launch rail. Usually equipped with a 48ft T rail, the T segment was removed to reveal the 1515 rail underneath.
The rocket was ready to fly in a timely manner, and we waited for a clear patch in the clouds before launching. Shortly after ignition and takeoff, the rocket appears to have ejected its nosecone, which caused the vehicle to arc over unstable. Once it started to spin, the motor appears to have chuffed, and the vehicle came apart midair as parachutes deployed.
Once the vehicle was separated, the sustainer lit and suffered a forward closure failure, causing it to burn from both ends. This may have been due to sustainer ignition conditions being met when it was oriented upwards from the parachute.

[@winstonsmith478]

Ah, a PATO!

[@kayboku7281]

nice attempt. was that Joe barnard making a secret cameo appearance?

[@DerekHonkawa]

Joe was not there that day, which makes me wonder who you thought was Joe.

[@kayboku7281]

@@DerekHonkawa 6 minutes 29 seconds black baseball cap

[@bidenisasnake9932]

Bummer. Years ago playing with much smaller rockets every now and then Odd stuff would happen. Had to climb a few tree's in my day.