NASRA Chris One Mini-Site

Chris One :> History | Facts | Flight | Media | Eye-Witness Accounts

The Flight of the Chris I: 12th October 2003

Timeline of Flight

Timings in Seconds Event
Dave Matt Average
Abs Rel Abs Rel Rel
11.78 0.00 10.46 0.00 0.00 Zero
12.18 0.40 10.58 0.12 0.26 Ignition Observed
12.30 0.52 10.70 0.24 0.38 Direct Flash Ignition Observation
12.34 0.56 10.82 0.36 0.46 Bloom Past Fins
12.42 0.64 10.94 0.48 0.56 Maximum Flash Illumination - Definate Engine Ignition
12.70 0.92 11.18 0.72 0.82 Def. Takeoff - First Observation of Movement (poss 11.14M)
12.82 1.04 11.26 0.80 0.92 Clear LaunchPole
12.94 1.16 11.42 0.96 1.06 Clear Launch/Flash Bloom
12.98 1.20 1.20 Last Dave Frame of Rocket Launching
13.02 1.24 1.24 Lost from Dave Camera
12.94 2.48 1.24 Engines Start Sparking and Smoke Trail Stops (Start MECO)
14.38 3.92 1.96 Visual Tracking from MattCam Lost
14.78 4.32 2.16 Visual Tracking from MattCam ReAcquired
15.23 3.45 3.45 Last Flash In Air Goes Out
15.74 5.28 5.28 MECO and Glide Complete - No light from rocket
17.18 6.72 6.72 Slight Glow Observed
17.90 7.44 7.44 Bright Glow From Rocket
18.06 7.60 7.60 Visual of Burning Wadding Being Expelled
19.98 9.52 9.52 Visual Choote Deploy Still with Burning Wadding and/or Retro
20.82 10.36 10.36 End of all Burning/Light from Rocket
27.35 15.57 15.57 Dave Camera Begins Re-Tracking
28.85 17.07 17.07 Dave Camera Re-Acquires Rocket
34.57 22.79 22.68 Fins Touch Ground
34.65 22.87 33.02 22.56 22.72 Touchdown Chris 1

Full Timing Details
 The Chris I was launched in twilight from NASRA's Tacolneston B launch site. A massive and very bright bloom from the flashpan was dispersed as the Chris I lifted majestically into the darkened sky. The launch was awe-inspiring and the sight of the rocket climbing almost vertically trailing a huge 8 foot gout of flame behind is burnt into many retinas forever.