Civilian Space eXploration Team#Space Shot 2004 "GoFast" Rocket

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Image:Kluft-photo-CSXT-2004-amateur-space-launch.jpg

The Civilian Space eXploration Team, also known as the CSXT, is a team of around 30 civilians interested in private spaceflight. The team was created by Ky Michaelson. Having conducted multiple rocket launches in an attempt to establish altitude records, CSXT became the first entity to officially launch an amateur rocket into space on May 17, 2004, with the successful launch of its GoFast rocket to an altitude of 116 km (72 miles) above the surface, which was verified by FAA analysis of the team's flight data.Rocketman Enterprises (2005). CSXT: Civilian Space eXploration Team. Retrieved on 2007-01-27.

http://www.the-rocketman.com/CSXT/default2.asp|{{Dead link|date=July 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} http://www.the-rocketman.com/CSXT/about/teamlist.htm#| {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120415160948/http://www.the-rocketman.com/CSXT/about/teamlist.htm#{{!}} |date=2012-04-15 }} http://www.the-rocketman.com/go-fast.html {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151209162241/http://www.the-rocketman.com/go-fast.html |date=2015-12-09 }}

Prior privately funded space launches were achieved by the Orbital Sciences Pegasus, and many other amateur teams have made unverified claims of rocket flights exceeding the boundary of space.

Team composition

Currently, Ky Michaelson is the CSXT program director. The CSXT's program is subdivided into three teams:

Rocket Design and Ground Support Equipment
Avionics and Ground System Design
Wind Weighting System Development

History

The team was established in 1995 by a group of model rocket hobbyists interested in spaceflight. The team is supported by corporate sponsorship.

=D.R. Hero=

The D.R. Hero rocket was launched in August 1995. It was dedicated to stuntman Dar Robinson, a late friend of Ky Michaelson. The rocket was {{convert|18|ft|m|0}} tall and {{convert|6|in|0}} in diameter. It was anticipated to reach {{convert|100000|ft|m|-4}}. This rocket failed in a large CATO (catastrophe at take off) motor failure just above the ground.

=Joe Boxer launches=

Launched on August 18, 1996, Joe Boxer Corp (1996). Joe Boxer and World Class Rocketeer Ky Michaelson Make History. Retrieved on 2014-10-27.

http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Joe+Boxer+and+World+Class+Rocketeer+Ky+Michaelson+Make+History-a018592805 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141027061521/http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Joe+Boxer+and+World+Class+Rocketeer+Ky+Michaelson+Make+History-a018592805 |date=2014-10-27 }} this rocket was also {{convert|18|ft|m|0}} tall and 6 inches in diameter. The name is attributed to the largest contributing sponsor, Joe Boxer. It was anticipated to reach {{convert|70000|ft|m|-3}}; however, the actual height obtained was only {{convert|66000|ft|m|-2}}. The entire rocket was recovered after what was considered a successful flight. All of the rocket's systems functioned as intended and this flight was claimed to be the first amateur rocket to be recovered intact after reaching more than {{convert|50000|ft|m|-3}}.Michaelson, Ky (2004). The ROCKETMAN and Joe Boxer Team Up. Retrieved on 2007-01-28.

http://www.the-rocketman.com/boxerstory.html {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070315192800/http://www.the-rocketman.com/boxerstory.html |date=2007-03-15 }}

=Space shots=

==1997==

Launched on July 21, 1997, Michaelson, Ky (1997). Launch At Balls 007. Retrieved on 2014-10-27.

http://www.the-rocketman.com/CSXT_info.html {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140206152605/http://www.the-rocketman.com/CSXT_info.html |date=2014-02-06 }} this slightly smaller rocket was {{convert|17|ft|m|0}} tall and 6 inches in diameter, with an upper stage dart, which was only 3 or 4 inches across. It was the first two-stage rocket launched by CSXT and was expected to reach {{convert|400000|ft|m|-4}}. During the launch, an electronics failure prevented the ignition of the second stage, though the first stage successfully detached and was recovered with a parachute.

==2000==

This rocket was launched on September 29, 2000, and was {{convert|15|ft|m|0}} tall and 8.625 inches in diameter. It was expected to reach {{convert|60|nmi|km|-1}} with a maximum speed of {{convert|3205|mi/h|km/h|0|abbr=on}}. After launch, the rocket encountered problems at {{convert|45000|ft|m|-2}}, where the wind sheared off the fin, causing the rocket to break apart. Although the launch was fairly unsuccessful, it did set a record for amateur rocket speed of {{convert|3205|mi/h|km/h|0|abbr=on}}.

==2002==

This rocket was launched on September 19, 2002.CSXT (2002). Disappointed but looking to the future. Motor failure prevents civilian rocket from reaching space. Retrieved on 2014-10-27.

http://www.the-rocketman.com/CSXT/news/n9_21_02_disappointed.htm {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110701191906/http://the-rocketman.com/CSXT/news/n9_21_02_disappointed.htm |date=2011-07-01 }} It was launched at the Black Rock Desert in Nevada. The rocket was equipped with a solid propellant motor. The motor was to accelerate the rocket to Mach 5. The rocket was equipped with GPS receivers and antennas, video recording devices, and a series of flight monitoring devices. Three seconds after the rocket launched the motor burned through the casing, causing the rocket to fail.

==2004 "GoFast"==

The rocket was launched on Monday, May 17, 2004.{{cite book

| last = Knight

| first = Eric

| title = The New Race to Space

| url = http://www.thenewracetospace.com/

| accessdate = 2013-04-27

| year = 2010

| isbn = 978-0-615-43015-7

}} This rocket was the first amateur rocket to exceed {{convert|100|km|mi}}, the official boundary of outer space. It was launched at the Black Rock Desert.Space Frontier Foundation (2007). Go "GoFast"! Space Frontier Foundation Congratulates First Amateur Team to Enter Space. Retrieved on 2007-01-27.

http://www.space-frontier.org/PressReleases/2004/20040519gofastflight.html {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070301054815/http://www.space-frontier.org/PressReleases/2004/20040519gofastflight.html |date=2007-03-01 }} The rocket reached top speed of {{convert|3420|mi/h|km/h m/s|abbr=on}} in 10 seconds, and reached an estimated altitude of {{convert|72|mi|km|0}}. The avionics were recovered by deployment of a parachute.ARRL Web: Ham Radio-Carrying Rocket Exceeds Goal; Avionics Recovered Intact (2004-05-20). Retrieved on 2007-01-28.

http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2004/05/19/1/?nc=1

The final verified altitude of the rocket was released as {{convert|72|mi|km|0}}.Civilian Space eXploration Team (2005). GoFast Rocket Maximum Altitude Verification.

http://www.ddeville.com/GoFast%20Maximum%20Altitude%20Press%20Release1.pdf {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081030232420/http://www.ddeville.com/GoFast%20Maximum%20Altitude%20Press%20Release1.pdf |date=2008-10-30 }}{{Citation

| last = Lindsey

| first = Clark

| title = HobbySpace.com - Advanced Rocketry: Records, Achievements & Competitions

| url = http://www.hobbyspace.com/Rocketry/Advanced/records.html

| accessdate = 2008-01-06 }}{{Citation

|last = Wade

|first = Mark

|title = Astronautix - GoFast

|url = http://www.astronautix.com/lvs/gofast.htm

|accessdate = 2008-10-22

|url-status = dead

|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20090105095614/http://www.astronautix.com/lvs/gofast.htm

|archivedate = 2009-01-05

}}

The rocket was {{convert|21|ft|m|1}} tall and {{convert|10|in|cm|0}} in diameter, and used an ammonium perchlorate-based solid propellant.

==2014 "GoFast"==

On July 14, 2014, the team repeated their accomplishment with a second successful space launch. Analysis of the data from the recovered military-grade Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) that flew onboard shows that the GoFast rocket reached an altitude of {{convert|385,800|ft|mi km}} above mean sea level and hit a top speed of {{convert|3580|mi/h|km/h m/s|-2|abbr=on}}.{{cite web|url=http://www.coloradospacenews.com/csxt-go-fast-rocket-confirms-multiple-world-records/|title=CSXT GO FAST! Rocket Confirms Multiple World Records|publisher=Colorado Space News|date=4 September 2014|access-date=12 May 2015|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304090304/http://www.coloradospacenews.com/csxt-go-fast-rocket-confirms-multiple-world-records/|url-status=dead}}

References

External links

[http://www.hobbyspace.com/Rocketry/Advanced/records.html High Altitude Amateur Rocket Records], HobbySpace.com (2004)
[https://web.archive.org/web/20061230154247/http://www.stratofox.org/pics/csxt-booster-2004/ Mystery Solved: Stratofox Recovers CSXT Booster], Stratofox Aerospace Tracking Team (2004)
[https://web.archive.org/web/20070701110056/http://www.stratofox.org/pics/csxt-spaceshot-2004/ CSXT SpaceShot 2004 - First Amateur Launch to Space], Stratofox Aerospace Tracking Team (2004)
[https://web.archive.org/web/20130512032243/http://www.stratofox.org/pics/csxt-anniversary-2009/ Recollections of the CSXT Space Shot 2004] (5th anniversary page), Stratofox Aerospace Tracking Team (2009)
{{YouTube|id=QnCn4514P2I|title=First amateur rocket into space}}, posted by Ky Michaelson
{{YouTube|id=K-td_fBjS7A|title=Rocket Launch - CSXT First civilian rocket to reach space}}, posted by Wayne Vaughan
{{YouTube|id=0srcCA3OUyY|title=CSXT First Civilian Rocket Launch to Space}}, posted by Derek Deville
{{YouTube|id=LrP9LWuAtfc|title=Stratofox recovery of CSXT Space Booster, Nov 26, 2004, Granite Range, NV}}, posted by Ian Kluft
[https://web.archive.org/web/20130514183857/http://www.the-rocketman.com/content12.html The Rocketman], Ky Michaelson's website.
{{YouTube|id=001IXnp0ogc|title=GoFast 2014 HD OnBoard Cameras}}, posted by Ky Michaelson