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CSXT Space Shot 2004
first amateur launch to space
We were prepared to attempt a launch every day all week
Stratofox assisted with radio communications, clearing the area
Launched during first launch window, 11:12AM on Mon, May 17
Downlink telemetry failed because antennas were damaged by Mach 5.5 heating – otherwise it could have told us where it was
We initially knew it reached space because it took 8 minutes to fall back to Earth, when we heard the re-entry booms
A chartered helicopter got beacon near mountains 25 miles away, winds were too rough to get in the mountains
Then it was up to Stratofox to go find it
Notes: