At around 9:11pm (Central European Time) on the 1st of September, a 37 foot tall, 42" diameter rocket, powered by a cluster of twenty L730 rocket motors took to the skies. The spectacle was conducted with; full clearance from the authorities, airspace cleared, accurate trajectory analysis, river traffic halted and the launch site sealed.
All motors lit, and the rocket splashed down into the River Danube, as it was designed to within 20 yards of predicted splash down.
The vehicle had a gross lift off mass of approximately 450kg (950lbs) and was launched from an island in the centre of the river Danube, in the city of Budapest, Hungary.... from the top of a 40ft tall stage, on live TV with an estimated TV audience of 5 million viewers, and in front of a live audience of over 10,000 people, who were a long way away on a bridge. The rocket splashed down into the River Danube, within 20 yards of predicted.
The vehicle was powered by a cluster of twenty Cesaroni Pro 54s. All of which lit perfectly.
The project was initiated by David Merlini, a Hungarian Escapologist who likes to do an annual major TV stunt in his home city of Budapest, Hungary. Past stunts have included being dropped from a bridge set in a 5-ton block of concrete, encased in a 2-ton block of ice and defrosted with flame throwers and other similar stunts.
The project represented 10 months of planning, building and hard work.
Here are some pictures...
The Team (Just in case there are any of the team who want to go glory hunting...not that they would ;) it was a team effort - credit goes to all equally.)
- James Macfarlane.
- Colin Rowe
- Richard Osborne
- Ben Jarvis.
- Mark Bishop.
- One other.
- Damian Hall.
Support team:
(If it was not for these fine people - then the project would not have been possible at all.)
- Cesaroni. (Nicole and Mike)
- Rebel Rocketry (Netherlands). (Pim and Frank)
- Rockets and Things. (Malcolm)
Regards
The Team.