This was the first test of the ATV system, the system was flown on a "stretched" PML Endeavor which had been converted to dual deployment. We weren't sure how the TV transmitter would influence the altimeter electronics, so we configured the Aerotech J-415 with a standard delay/BP ejection charge in the event the altimeter didn't fire at apogee. Well, it turns out the altimeter functioned just fine in the RF field, the delay however fired while the motor was under boost passing through 1200 feet and still accelerating past 300 mph. The result was predictable and we were soon picking pieces of phenolic and bass wood out of the soft farm soil after being treated to an interesting view on the TV. Amazingly enough, the only thing wrong with the video payload electronics was a broken 47 cent RF oscillator transistor.....PC Electronics makes some rugged circuit boards.

This flight took place late in the day with the sun setting low on the horizon. The video appears very dark because of the sun angle, but once the rocket payload departs from its intended trajectory the sun angle and video improves. The lesson learned here was not to fly the payload with a horizontal look out window unless the sun was higher than 30 degrees above the horizon.

Aerotech quickly replaced the motor on warranty. After viewing the remains of the motor internals and a video file of the flight, Jason remarked in an e-mail: "Bill, don't take this the wrong way, but that video is cool!"