U.S. Water Rockets becomes first team to pass
both the 2,000 foot and 600 meter benchmarks while setting new World Altitude Record.
Updated: 10:03 p.m. EDT (02:03 GMT) June 14, 2007
|
| X-12 stands in the fading sunlight hoping to launch within the required time window.
|
GALWAY, New York (Routers) -- X-12 captures new world record while testing newly re-designed launcher.
U.S. Water Rockets successfully
broke their long standing World Altitude Record while testing out their
completely redesigned launcher system. The former launcher was proving to
be unreliable at the ever increasing pressures required to break the record, and so it had to be rebuilt for future record attempts to be made in a safe manner.
On the evening
of June 14, 2007, U.S. Water Rockets
made preparations to test fire their X-12 Water Rocket with their new
launcher design. Even after a long hiatus beginning in the fall of 2006, the sound
of the U.S. Water Rockets High-Pressure Compressor roaring to life
drew crowds of eager onlookers, ready to see history hopefully being made
once
more.
Much to the chagrin of the
impatient spectators, U.S. Water Rockets took their time and meticulously checked and rechecked
their new high-power launch system. Using all new high pressure
plumbing, and a newly devised clamp system reminiscent of their ingenious "Twist
Lock" launcher, the new system was completely untested and the team was
not about to take any chances, especially with so many onlookers bearing
witness to any embarassing mishaps or blunders. Those who
remained patient were treated to a spectacular show, shortly before
sunset.
With
a deafening roar, the X-12 Rocket released
from the launcher, and
dashed rapidly skyward to an altitude of 2,068 feet (630.33m) on the primary flight. U.S.
Water Rockets Team simply had to repeat the flight within the required
2-hour window to claim the flights for a new WRA2
record.
It
became apparent there was a minor
problem after the initial excitement of the successful Primary flight,
which was recovered and then the video and altimeter data were safely
extracted. The force of launch with the increased pressure had bent the
launch tube and rendered it useless. Fortunately, the team had tools handy
to cut the ruined top portion of the launch tube off and the lower portion
was still in acceptable condition. The decision was made to launch a
second flight to attempt to meet the 2 flight average rule required by the
WRA2 governing body. Some quick calculations showed that
a slightly lower pressure would still yield a record and would perhaps save
the launcher from
further damage.
With the clock running down and
the sun setting on the horizon, the U.S. Water Rockets Team
hurried to reset and reload X-12 for the second launch. The pressurization sequence
was not uneventful, as some curious onlookers began to enter the
outer exclusion zone in their canoe, thinking they could get a better
look from a closer vantage point. The pressurization sequence was aborted by the
U.S. Water Rockets Safety officer, and the air was vented harmlessly to the
atmosphere. The curious onlookers were then directed to a safe distance. With the now
very apologetic spectators ushered safely away, X-12 was once again
pressurized and launched without further incident. The data from the
second flight revealed an apogee of 2,020 feet (615.7 meters),
and
with both flights above 2,000 feet, the team knew their X-12 Water Rocket again successfully raised the WRA2 record altitude over 2,000 feet, and best of
all,
the launcher was unharmed.
After the numbers were crunched,
the averaged flights were submitted and the new World Record for Water
Rockets now stands at 2,044 feet (623 meters).
X-12
will continue to press onward and upward, while U.S. Water Rockets continues
development of the successor to this amazing machine.
