"Is this cool, or what?!? It landed just 100 feet off this paved road in a recently cleared field!" High Coordinator Andy W5ACM and Payload Master Mike WA5TWT get to the landing site FIRST, with KD5ELH, KC5JAR and WA5LHM in tow.
AMAZING!! That's right. I remember now... We planned it this way... Launch from the Wharton Intergalactic Spaceport, and then land it close to Hinze's BBQ! I love it when a plan comes together!!
BLT-20 rests quietly in the field near County Road 231, just waiting for a quick pick up.
Andy and Daryl KC5JAR take a walk. No houses, no trees, no fences, no problems.
"You know Daryl, not all of this brown stuff is mud..."
Mr. Ball has seen it all! He is now a veteran of EIGHT flights to The Edge of Space! It started for Mr. Ball with BLT-13 on 08AUG98, and continued with BLT-14 on 14NOV98, BLT-15 on 27FEB99, BLT-16 on 05JUN99, BLT-17 on 15JUL00, BLT-18 on 25AUG01 and Tim's Flight BLT-19 on 23AUG03. WOW!!
The Recovery Team poses for pictures by Helium King Charlie K5ENG and Photo Master Pete KD5ELH. Craig WD5BDX, Mike N5MT, Daryl KC5JAR, Andy W5ACM and Mike WA5TWT have had a Great Day.
Ah!! Time for a Cold One, some Great BBQ and a look at the ATV system's video from the wing glider, at Hinze's. George W5GFP made sure we had some entertainment to go with the excellent food. It was incredible footage. Payload Master Tony (far left) built a superb lifting body/glider, and piloted it safely back to the Spaceport.
We made it to The Edge of Space and BACK! Thanks to Photo Master Pete KD5ELH for the photos. Yes, WE GOT IT ALL!!!
Launch Happened at 10:38 AM on August 21, 2004 from the Wharton Regional Airport. We Were There!!!