CSXT SpaceShot 2004 - First Amateur Launch to Space

Pre-launch

Monday morning the winds were mostly calm. The launch rehearsal went well. Issues with the avionics were resolved in time for the full countdown. And then the countdown started...

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(640x480 38K) (500x375 19K) The launch site as viewed from the highway. (photo by Jay Lawson)

(1536x1024 569K) (500x333 9K) Monday morning, the helicopter takes off to check if the downrange area is clear of campers, an FAA requirement. (photo by Ian Kluft KO6YQ)

(1536x1024 951K) (500x333 24K) The crew assembles for the safety briefing. (photo by Ian Kluft KO6YQ)

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(1536x1024 1014K) (500x333 21K) Some locals arrive to watch the launch. (photo by Ian Kluft KO6YQ)

(1536x1024 374K) (500x333 5K) A weather balloon is launched to check if winds are within limits. (photo by Ian Kluft KO6YQ)

(1536x1024 1274K) (500x333 34K) Mike Money AC7TT and Steve Palmer KA6DHU helped with the Stratofox base station radio during the countdown when Ian needed to be somewhere else, including at T-60 seconds to photograph the launch. (photo by Ian Kluft KO6YQ)

Back up to Stratofox's CSXT SpaceShot 2004 pictures

(640x480 38K) (500x375 19K)	The launch site as viewed from the highway. (photo by Jay Lawson)
(1536x1024 569K) (500x333 9K)	Monday morning, the helicopter takes off to check if the downrange area is clear of campers, an FAA requirement. (photo by Ian Kluft KO6YQ)
(1536x1024 951K) (500x333 24K)	The crew assembles for the safety briefing. (photo by Ian Kluft KO6YQ)
(1536x1024 1014K) (500x333 21K)	Some locals arrive to watch the launch. (photo by Ian Kluft KO6YQ)
(1536x1024 374K) (500x333 5K)	A weather balloon is launched to check if winds are within limits. (photo by Ian Kluft KO6YQ)
(1536x1024 1274K) (500x333 34K)	Mike Money AC7TT and Steve Palmer KA6DHU helped with the Stratofox base station radio during the countdown when Ian needed to be somewhere else, including at T-60 seconds to photograph the launch. (photo by Ian Kluft KO6YQ)