Amateur Rocket Launch to 121, 000 at Mach 3 On board Video Qu8k Near Space Launch

Showing the views from a FlipHD and a GoPro side by side you get a first hand view of what it is like to fly to 121, 000 feet. These cameras flew on September 30, 2011 at 11:08am on Derek Deville s Qu8k (pronounced Quake ) launched from the Black Rock Desert in Nevada before returning safely to earth. A plastic cover that was protecting the protruding portion of the GoPro began to melt due to aerodynamic heating and can be seen as streaks passing by the lens. A small bit of this molten plastic resolidifies over a portion of the lens. Being above 99 of the atmosphere, the sky turns black in the middle of the day and the curvature of the earth is clearly visible. The rocket motor produced 4, 000 lbs of thrust for 8 seconds accelerating the vehicle to over Mach 3. Full Length Video: More Pictures and Info Sponsors: Learn more about the hobby of High Power Rocketry: Cosmic Ray Project: