First American civilian sounding rocket to reach outer space.

The launch vehicle originated in the Civilian Space Exploration Team's design for the Cheap Access To Space prize of $250,000, to go to the first civilian team to launch a rocket to exceed 100 kilometers altitude. The time limit expired without the prize being claimed, but two of the competitors, eAc and CSXT, decided to work together to achieve the objective.

The solid propellant motor for the rocket was designated S-50000 and was loaded with 196 kg lbs of ammonium perchloate-based propellant configured in a monolithic case-bonded grain with a central fin-o-cyl core with a nearly neutral thrust profile. The case was aluminum 6061 with an outer diameter of 25 cm and 4.45 m long. The end closures were retained with two rows of radial bolts. The nozzle was created from a new process using a combination of graphite, carbon fiber, and ablative materials and featured a bell shaped exit cone. Following subscale tests, the final full sized motor delivered a total impulse of 44,000 kgf-sec with a total motor weight of 272 kg.

Launch operations were at the amateur rocket test area Black Rock Desert, just north of Reno, Nevada. A seperable 18 kg payload section was recovered under a 2.7 m diameter parachute.

Manufacturer: eAc. Launches: 1. First Launch Date: 2004-05-17. Last Launch Date: 2004-05-17. Payload: 18 kg (39 lb). to a: 124 km altitude trajectory. Apogee: 124 km (77 mi). Total Mass: 350 kg (770 lb). Core Diameter: 0.25 m (0.82 ft). Total Length: 4.45 m (14.59 ft).

2004 May 17 - 18:20 GMT - Launch Vehicle: CSXT GoFast.

• GoFast Test mission Agency: CSXT. Apogee: 124 km (77 mi). First civilian rocket, built by volunteers, to reach outer space. Launched from Black Rock Desert, Nevada - Latitude: 41.00 N - Longitude: 119.00 W. The payload was recovered the next day and the data download showed the rocket had reached 124 km alitutde and a maximum velocity of mach 5.5.References: 1823.