Mystery Solved: Stratofox Recovers CSXT Booster

Booster Recovery, Friday November 26, 2004

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(1536x1024 922K) (500x333 23K) An iced-over mud lake blocks the way. The first two vehicles with Jay Lawson and James Robertson KG6FKP (in the lead vehicle), and Diane Palmer KC6HVP and Randy Palmer WA6LCD have driven around it over the brush. Steve Palmer KA6DHU walks by the mud lake checking for a route around it. (photo by Ian Kluft KO6YQ)

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(1536x1024 650K) (500x333 16K) The convoy lines up as each vehicle makes its way around the mud lake. (photo by Ian Kluft KO6YQ)

(1536x1024 743K) (500x333 22K) Dave Masten KG6FNL thinks it's possible to barrel through the mud lake... and proves he's correct. This discovery saves us a lot of time. (photo by Ian Kluft KO6YQ)

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(1536x1024 1025K) (500x333 21K) Ian Kluft KO6YQ begins his run at the mud lake. (photo by Steve Palmer KA6DHU with Ian's camera)

(1536x1024 801K) (500x333 21K) Ian is up to speed for his run through the mud lake. (photo by Steve Palmer KA6DHU with Ian's camera)

(1536x1024 1009K) (500x333 24K) Mud and ice flies into the air as Ian barrels through the mud lake. (photo by Steve Palmer KA6DHU with Ian's camera)

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(1536x1024 801K) (500x333 23K) Mud and ice flies into the air as Ian barrels through the mud lake. (photo by Steve Palmer KA6DHU with Ian's camera)

(1536x1024 921K) (500x333 24K) Mud and ice flies into the air as Ian barrels through the mud lake. (photo by Steve Palmer KA6DHU with Ian's camera)

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(1536x1024 776K) (500x333 21K) Ian has gotten through the mud lake. (photo by Steve Palmer KA6DHU with Ian's camera)

(1536x1024 1001K) (500x333 24K) Tom White KG6BRK begins his run through the mud lake. (photo by Steve Palmer KA6DHU with Ian's camera)

(1536x1024 1023K) (500x333 27K) Tom's Jeep disappears from view behind the mud and ice he's throwing into the air. (photo by Steve Palmer KA6DHU with Ian's camera)

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(1536x1024 1092K) (500x333 28K) Tom's Jeep re-emerges into view covered in mud and ice. (photo by Steve Palmer KA6DHU with Ian's camera)

(1536x1024 844K) (500x333 24K) Did Tom's Jeep slip sideways or is he just having fun? You know the answer... (photo by Steve Palmer KA6DHU with Ian's camera)

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(1536x1024 983K) (500x333 34K) Climbing a canyon enroute to the booster site, vehicles line up waiting to cross the next obstacle. (photo by Ian Kluft KO6YQ)

(1536x1024 1230K) (500x333 36K) This second obstacle is a set of large rocks which make the road very uneven. Everyone else watches as each of us make our attempts. (photo by Ian Kluft KO6YQ)

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(1536x1024 1250K) (500x333 39K) Ray makes his run over the rocks. (photo by Ian Kluft KO6YQ)

(1536x1024 1007K) (500x333 37K) No pressure... just several video cameras recording your run. James Robertson KG6FKP, Jay Lawson, Diane Palmer KC6HVP (behind Jay in this view) and Randy Palmer WA6LCD are seen here. (photo by Ian Kluft KO6YQ)

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(1536x1024 1119K) (500x333 38K) Ray Pledger KE6JOQ and passenger Will Galloway AE6EY make their run over the rocks. (photo by Ian Kluft KO6YQ)

(1536x1024 1252K) (500x333 33K) Ray talks with Randy (holding video camera). Olavo Kluft walks ahead to watch Dave Masten's run. (photo by Ian Kluft KO6YQ)

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(1536x1024 1388K) (500x333 39K) Randy videotapes Tom's run. Tom is last in the line. (photo by Ian Kluft KO6YQ)

(1536x1024 1169K) (500x333 37K) Randy videotapes Tom's run. Tom is last in the line. (photo by Ian Kluft KO6YQ)

(1536x1024 1166K) (500x333 36K) Will Galloway AE6EY, Dave Masten KG6FNL, Diane Palmer KC6HVP stand by as Tom makes his run over the rocks. (photo by Ian Kluft KO6YQ)

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(1536x1024 1114K) (500x333 28K) Having climbed up the canyon, we've reached a pass in the road. The convoy pauses to make sure everyone can see we're turning here where there's a fork in the road. (photo by Ian Kluft KO6YQ)

(1536x1024 1377K) (500x333 42K) Dave's Durango slipped and fell off the road into the streambed. No one was hurt. Olavo looks at the vehicle after having climbed up out of the passenger side. Dave is still climbing out. The Jeeps are already positioning themselves for rescue. (photo by Ian Kluft KO6YQ)

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(1536x1024 964K) (500x333 28K) Olavo holds the door open for Dave to climb out the passenger side. (photo by Ian Kluft KO6YQ)

(1536x1024 424K) (500x333 3K) Ken Samuelson has arrived right on time, flying overhead with passengers Eric Knight KB1EHE and Jim Hoffman. Eric has been talking with us using Ham Radio. (photo by Ian Kluft KO6YQ)

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(1536x1024 1232K) (500x333 34K) We're talking about what to do. The two lead vehicles will proceed ahead to try to reach the booster while the plane can loiter overhead. In this photo: Matthew Kluft, Dave Masten KG6FNL, Jay Lawson, and Ray Pledger KE6JOQ. (photo by Ian Kluft KO6YQ)

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(1536x1024 1128K) (500x333 27K) We're talking about what to do. The two lead vehicles will proceed ahead to try to reach the booster while the plane can loiter overhead. The Jeeps are in position to begin the rescue of Dave's vehicle.. In this photo: Dave Masten KG6FNL, Jay Lawson, Ray Pledger KE6JOQ, James Robertson KG6FKP and Diane Palmer KC6HVP. (photo by Ian Kluft KO6YQ)

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(1536x1024 1186K) (500x333 35K) Diane confirms plans before the lead vehicles leave for the booster site. Everyone who can help with the rescue remains. In this photo: Diane Palmer KC6HVP, Olavo Kluft, Ray Pledger KE6JOQ, and Dave Masten KG6FNL. Olavo and Ray are pulling barbed wire (remains of a long-gone fence) out of the way of the rescue area. (photo by Ian Kluft KO6YQ)

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(1536x1024 1289K) (500x333 39K) Dave and Ray hook up a winch cable. (photo by Ian Kluft KO6YQ)

(1536x1024 1103K) (500x333 39K) Dave get back in his vehicle since he'll need to run it in reverse and turn the wheel. (photo by Ian Kluft KO6YQ)

(1536x1024 1091K) (500x333 35K) Olavo pulls away more barbed wire. Ray and Tom prepare to run Tom's winch to pull Dave's vehicle out of the streambed. (photo by Ian Kluft KO6YQ)

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(1536x1024 1138K) (500x333 31K) Trying to get Dave out of the hole... the rescue begins. (photo by Ian Kluft KO6YQ)

(1536x1024 1161K) (500x333 34K) The winch is pulling and Dave is reversing. (photo by Ian Kluft KO6YQ)

(1536x1024 1229K) (500x333 34K) The winch is pulling and Dave is reversing. It started moving. (photo by Ian Kluft KO6YQ)

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(1536x1024 1249K) (500x333 35K) The winch is pulling and Dave is reversing. It moved a little more. (photo by Ian Kluft KO6YQ)

(1536x1024 1092K) (500x333 28K) The winch is pulling and Dave is reversing. It moved a little more. (photo by Ian Kluft KO6YQ)

(1536x1024 1158K) (500x333 33K) Ray hooks up the second winch cable from his Jeep in preparation to try again. (photo by Ian Kluft KO6YQ)

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(1536x1024 1151K) (500x333 36K) Tom (left) watches as Ray readies his winch for the second rescue attempt. (photo by Ian Kluft KO6YQ)

(1536x1024 1231K) (500x333 32K) Dave is ready for the second rescue attempt. (photo by Ian Kluft KO6YQ)

(1536x1024 937K) (500x333 22K) Steve talks to Dave on the radio while Tom and Ray run the winches. (photo by Ian Kluft KO6YQ)

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(1536x1024 1022K) (500x333 28K) The second rescue attempt begins. (photo by Ian Kluft KO6YQ)

(1536x1024 1089K) (500x333 29K) The second rescue attempt in progress. (photo by Ian Kluft KO6YQ)

(1536x1024 1090K) (500x333 28K) The second rescue attempt in progress. (photo by Ian Kluft KO6YQ)

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(1536x1024 1063K) (500x333 29K) The second rescue attempt in progress. (photo by Ian Kluft KO6YQ)

(1536x1024 830K) (500x333 26K) The second rescue attempt in progress. (photo by Ian Kluft KO6YQ)

(1536x1024 831K) (500x333 24K) The second rescue attempt in progress. (photo by Ian Kluft KO6YQ)

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(1536x1024 979K) (500x333 26K) The second rescue attempt in progress. (photo by Ian Kluft KO6YQ)

(1536x1024 972K) (500x333 25K) The second rescue attempt in progress. (photo by Ian Kluft KO6YQ)

(1536x1024 1030K) (500x333 27K) The second rescue attempt in progress. (photo by Ian Kluft KO6YQ)

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(1536x1024 999K) (500x333 25K) The second rescue attempt in progress. (photo by Ian Kluft KO6YQ)

(1536x1024 1047K) (500x333 27K) The second rescue attempt in progress. (photo by Ian Kluft KO6YQ)

(1536x1024 1059K) (500x333 29K) The second rescue attempt in progress. (photo by Ian Kluft KO6YQ)

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(1536x1024 902K) (500x333 22K) The second rescue attempt in progress. (photo by Ian Kluft KO6YQ)

(1536x1024 1063K) (500x333 26K) The second rescue attempt in progress. (photo by Ian Kluft KO6YQ)

(1536x1024 834K) (500x333 24K) The second rescue attempt in progress. (photo by Ian Kluft KO6YQ)

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(1536x1024 1035K) (500x333 27K) The second rescue attempt in progress. (photo by Ian Kluft KO6YQ)

(1536x1024 1015K) (500x333 25K) The second rescue attempt in progress. (photo by Ian Kluft KO6YQ)

(1536x1024 883K) (500x333 23K) The second rescue attempt succeeded. (photo by Ian Kluft KO6YQ)

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(1536x1024 1213K) (500x333 33K) Dave checks out his vehicle as Tom and Ray remove their winch cables. As the group tried to move on from here, Ian's vehicle couldn't get its 4WD hubs locked again, and had to be pulled off the road before he could drive around the spot where Dave fell off the road. Daylight is running out - it is now 38 minutes before sunset. (photo by Ian Kluft KO6YQ)

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(1536x1024 922K) (500x333 27K) Out of the wide valley and up a smaller one, Dave can't go any farther in the snow because his 4WD hubs also won't lock. Daylight is running out - it is now 19 minutes before sunset. (photo by Ian Kluft KO6YQ)

(1536x1024 852K) (500x333 28K) The convoy stops to consider the next move. Daylight is running out - it is now 19 minutes before sunset. (photo by Ian Kluft KO6YQ)

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(1536x1024 854K) (500x333 25K) Once Dave's vehicle was parked aside, Ian tried to cross the narrow spot and slid off the road. Daylight is running out - it is now 14 minutes before sunset. (photo by Ian Kluft KO6YQ)

(1536x1024 821K) (500x333 23K) Tom positions his Jeep to pull Ian's truck out. Daylight is running out - it is now 14 minutes before sunset. (photo by Ian Kluft KO6YQ)

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(1536x1024 786K) (500x333 25K) Ian's right front tire hit a rock that he was trying to drive over in order to stay away from the ravine on the right of this picture. The rock stopped the truck and the back slip almost over the side. Daylight is running out - it is now 14 minutes before sunset. (photo by Ian Kluft KO6YQ)

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(1536x1024 987K) (500x333 28K) Tom positions his Jeep to pull Ian's truck out. Daylight is running out - it is now 13 minutes before sunset. (photo by Ian Kluft KO6YQ)

(1536x1024 907K) (500x333 27K) Tom positions his Jeep to pull Ian's truck out. Daylight is running out - it is now 13 minutes before sunset. (photo by Ian Kluft KO6YQ)

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(1536x1024 1211K) (500x333 37K) Olavo and Will watch the preparations to pull Ian's truck out. Daylight is running out - it is now 12 minutes before sunset. (photo by Ian Kluft KO6YQ)

(1536x1024 854K) (500x333 27K) This shows where Ian's truck slid off the road after the right front tire failed to go over a rock. Matthew stands on the other side of the truck. Daylight is running out - it is now 12 minutes before sunset. (photo by Ian Kluft KO6YQ)

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(1536x1024 1157K) (500x333 28K) The rescue attempt begins. Daylight is running out - it is now 8 minutes before sunset. (photo by Will Galloway AE6EY with Ian's camera)

(1536x1024 1176K) (500x333 29K) Steve stands by with the radio as Ray operates his winch. Daylight is running out - it is now 8 minutes before sunset. (photo by Will Galloway AE6EY with Ian's camera)

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(1536x1024 1233K) (500x333 34K) The truck is back on the road. Olavo and Ray give Ian observations from outside on the best way to steer to straighten out on the road again. Daylight is running out - it is now 6 minutes before sunset. (photo by Will Galloway AE6EY with Ian's camera)

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(1536x1024 1205K) (500x333 31K) Ray provides a pair of eyes outside the truck to help Ian straighten out the truck on the road. The rescue was successful. Daylight is running out - it is now 6 minutes before sunset. (photo by Will Galloway AE6EY with Ian's camera)

(1536x1024 1359K) (500x333 37K) It took both winches operating in series to pull out the 3-ton weight of Ian's Dodge Ram Quad Cab pickup. Daylight is running out - it is now 6 minutes before sunset. (photo by Will Galloway AE6EY with Ian's camera)

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(1536x1024 1062K) (500x333 33K) After a sprint to the booster site, we've arrived. Ian stopped where the others told him to, because of questions whether the hubs would be able to lock again. Daylight is running out - it is now 12 minutes after sunset. (photo by Ian Kluft KO6YQ)

(1536x1024 971K) (500x333 25K) The two lead vehicles have been at the booster site for 45 minutes. Daylight is running out - it is now 12 minutes after sunset. (photo by Ian Kluft KO6YQ)

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(1536x1024 1112K) (500x333 35K) One of the Jeeps had its emergency flashers to make it easier for the plane to find. The plane has already returned to the Empire Airport. But it also served to help the rest of us find it quickly while driving up to it. It is now 13 minutes after sunset. (photo by Ian Kluft KO6YQ)

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(1536x1024 1021K) (500x333 36K) Everyone at the booster site has been picking up small pieces to preserve photography opportunities with the main booster. The impact damage is immediately apparent becayse the fin canister broke loose from all its bolts and slid forward over the booster body until it reached the crumpling forward section. It is now 14 minutes after sunset. (photo by Ian Kluft KO6YQ)

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(1536x1024 909K) (500x333 27K) Impact damage at the forward section of the booster. There is some motion-blur because it's getting dark and it's hard to hold the camera still enough for the length of time the shutter stays open to compensate for the darkness. It is now 14 minutes after sunset. (photo by Ian Kluft KO6YQ)

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(1536x1024 856K) (500x333 23K) One of the fins broke off in the impact. It is now 14 minutes after sunset. (photo by Ian Kluft KO6YQ)

(1536x1024 1089K) (500x333 37K) Sponsor logos withstood the Mach-5 heating remarkably well. It is now 15 minutes after sunset. (photo by Ian Kluft KO6YQ)

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(1536x1024 1174K) (500x333 38K) Jay shows the rest of us a bag of debris he has collected. Others have been picking up debris too. It is now 15 minutes after sunset. (photo by Ian Kluft KO6YQ)

(1536x1024 1246K) (500x333 37K) Stratofox group photo at the CSXT booster recovery site. The American flag had been air-dropped from Ken's plane for this picture. Team members in photo:

back row - Ray Pledger KC6JOQ, Tom White KG6BRK, Jay Lawson, Dave Masten KG6FNL, Olavo Kluft, Will Galloway AE6EY, Steve Palmer KA6DHU
front row - Ian Kluft KO6YQ, James Robertson KG6FKP, Randy Palmer WA6LCD, Matthew Kluft
It is now 16 minutes after sunset. (photo by Diane Palmer KC6HVP with Ian's camera.)

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(1536x1024 1165K) (500x333 28K) Stratofox group photo at the CSXT booster recovery site. This is the same as the previous picture using the flash, which shows actually how dark it was after sunset with thin overcast skies. It is now 17 minutes after sunset. (photo by Diane Palmer KC6HVP with Ian's camera.)

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(1536x1024 1206K) (500x333 30K) We made sure to get Diane into a group photo since she had waited in the RV during the search for the nose cone in May. Team members in photo:

back row - Ray Pledger KC6JOQ, Jay Lawson, Dave Masten KG6FNL, Olavo Kluft, Will Galloway AE6EY, Steve Palmer KA6DHU
front row - Ian Kluft KO6YQ, James Robertson KG6FKP, Diane Palmer KC6HVP, Randy Palmer WA6LCD, Matthew Kluft
It is now 18 minutes after sunset. (photo by Tom White KG6BRK with Ian's camera.)

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(1536x1024 1246K) (500x333 35K) A view of the spacecraft body and mostly-intact sponsor logos. Note the blank section on the far left is where the fin canister had been until impact. It is now 20 minutes after sunset. (photo by Ian Kluft KO6YQ)

(1536x1024 1246K) (500x333 34K) The safety call has been made unanimously - we're taking the booster out with us. The crew walks up ready to lift up the booster and carry it to Ian's truck which has a rack large enough to carry it. It is now 20 minutes after sunset. (photo by Ian Kluft KO6YQ)

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(1536x1024 1039K) (500x333 25K) After everyone lifted the spacecraft onto Ian's truck, Steve, Will and Ian tie it down while the others return to the impact site to pick up more pieces. It is now 31 minutes after sunset, completely dark under the thin overcast. (photo by Ian Kluft KO6YQ)

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(1536x1024 1027K) (500x333 25K) Steve, Will and Ian tie down the spacecraft while the others return to the impact site to pick up more pieces. (photo by Ian Kluft KO6YQ)

(1536x1024 785K) (500x333 18K) Will points out where he had placed the Stratofox sticker on the rocket the night before the launch in May. It completely burned off in the Mach 5 friction heating during the launch and re-entry phases of the space flight. (photo by Ian Kluft KO6YQ)

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(1536x1024 990K) (500x333 27K) The impact-end of the spacecraft is a very impressive jumbled mess. We tied down the booster firmly enough that trying to shake a fin shook the truck, not the rocket. We also removed all the loose pieces that might not stay on during the bumpy ride out, and put them in the crate with the other "rocket chips". (photo by Ian Kluft KO6YQ)

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(1536x1024 845K) (500x333 20K) We strapped down the spacecraft as firmly as possible because the ride out would be very bumpy. (photo by Ian Kluft KO6YQ)

(1536x1024 1023K) (500x333 23K) We strapped down the spacecraft as firmly as possible because the ride out would be very bumpy. (photo by Ian Kluft KO6YQ)

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(1536x1024 782K) (500x333 15K) We strapped down the spacecraft as firmly as possible because the ride out would be very bumpy. (photo by Ian Kluft KO6YQ)

(1536x1024 757K) (500x333 23K) This is one of the crates of "rocket chips". But many more are still in other containers and still being collected at the time of this photo. (photo by Ian Kluft KO6YQ)

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(1536x1024 844K) (500x333 27K) This is one of the crates of "rocket chips". But many more are still in other containers and still being collected at the time of this photo. (photo by Ian Kluft KO6YQ)

(1280x960 164K) (500x375 26K) Jay and Ians trucks in front of Bruno's with the booster and debris. (photo by Jay Lawson)

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(1280x960 206K) (500x375 29K) Tom and Rays 4WD vehicles that provided rescues. (photo by Jay Lawson)

(1280x960 203K) (500x375 26K) Jerry and Eric taking looks from all angles. Will G. looks on. (photo by Jay Lawson)

(1280x960 207K) (500x375 28K) Jerry looking at impact end for evidence of the eyebolt that held the parachute to the booster. Damage and low light prevented a conclusion. (photo by Jay Lawson)

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(1280x960 193K) (500x375 22K) Jerry examines the fins for evidence of heating upon ascent. (photo by Jay Lawson)

(1280x960 158K) (500x375 19K) Examining the impact end. (photo by Jay Lawson)

(1280x960 210K) (500x375 25K) Looking at the impact end damage (photo by Jay Lawson)

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(1280x960 203K) (500x375 26K) Eric shows Ian details on the impact end. (photo by Jay Lawson)

(1280x960 173K) (500x375 26K) CSXT crew with booster and debris box (photo by Jay Lawson)

(1280x960 171K) (500x375 24K) Elsie, Eric, Jerry and Jim Hoffman with CSXT booster on Ians truck, outside Brunos 11/26

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(1280x960 205K) (500x375 38K) Jerry and Eric look at the damaged end in front of Bruno's. Jerry is checking fins for heat damage from flight. (photo by Jay Lawson)

(1280x960 202K) (500x375 35K) Jerry with the booster. Bruno's sign in the background. (photo by Jay Lawson)

(1536x1024 854K) (500x333 20K) The Stratofox crew unloads the spacecraft in Gerlach. (photo by James Robertson KG6FKP with Ian's camera)

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(1536x1024 935K) (500x333 21K) The Stratofox crew brings the spacecraft indoors in Gerlach. (photo by James Robertson KG6FKP with Ian's camera)

(1536x1024 1071K) (500x333 24K) The Stratofox crew brings the spacecraft indoors in Gerlach. (photo by James Robertson KG6FKP with Ian's camera)

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(1536x1024 1063K) (500x333 24K) The Stratofox crew brings the spacecraft indoors in Gerlach. Jerry Larson (near the building) and Matthew Kluft (near the camera) watch the operation. (photo by James Robertson KG6FKP with Ian's camera)

(1536x1024 1068K) (500x333 25K) Jerry Larson watches the Stratofox crew bring the spacecraft indoors in Gerlach. (photo by James Robertson KG6FKP with Ian's camera)

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(1536x1024 923K) (500x333 17K) Matthew watches the Stratofox crew bring the spacecraft indoors in Gerlach. (photo by James Robertson KG6FKP with Ian's camera)

(1536x1024 979K) (500x333 21K) Stratofox has delivered the spacecraft back to CSXT. Jerry Larson of CSXT thanks everyone and shakes their hands. In this photo he is shaking hands with Olavo Kluft. (photo by Ian Kluft KO6YQ)

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(1536x1024 1151K) (500x333 30K) Stratofox has delivered the spacecraft back to CSXT. Everyone talks in the room. (photo by Ian Kluft KO6YQ)

(1536x1024 981K) (500x333 22K) Group picture:

back row along wall - Jim Hoffman (CSXT), Tom White KG6BRK, Ray Pledger KE6JOQ, Steve Palmer KA6DHU
middle row - Diane Palmer KC6HVP, Matthew Kluft, Randy Palmer WA6LCD, Olavo Kluft
front row - James Robertson KG6FKP, Dave Masten KG6FNL, Will Galloway AE6EY, Jerry Larson (CSXT)
(photo by Ian Kluft KO6YQ)

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(1536x1024 1258K) (500x333 31K) Will and Jerry look at the seam in the spacecraft body after someone asked about it. (photo by Ian Kluft KO6YQ)

(1536x1024 1046K) (500x333 28K) Everyone talks over the spacecraft. (photo by Ian Kluft KO6YQ)

Back up to the Stratofox search for the CSXT Booster