The Cal Poly Space Systems (CPSS) club successfully launched a demonstration rocket with a remote-controlled paraglider recovery system. Here are some pics from the April 18, 1999 launch:


The rocket, painted in Cal Poly colors complete with Mustang logo, is being carried to the launch pad. The rocket is about 10.5 feet long and 7.5 inches in diameter. Pictured from left to right are Trevor, Donnie, Mike, David, Chris, Jeremy, and Zac.


The rocket was powered by a new Aerotech motor, the K650T (blue thunder).


At +2432 feet, the altimeter fired the charge that deployed the parafoil system


For several minutes, the ground operator remote-controlled the paraglider, guiding the system "back home".


The rocket was successfully guided back and landed within 25 feet of the launch pad from which it left minutes earlier.

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