Vol. 07: Rocket-Launched Camcorder

Hack a $30, single-use camcorder to make it reusable, then launch it up in a model rocket and capture thrilling astronaut's view footage of high-speed neighborhood escape and re-entry.

By John Maushammer

+ Downloads & Extras:

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The CVS camcorder does not record onto removable media. Non-hackers retrieve the video they've shot by returning the camera to CVS, paying a "processing" fee, and receiving their footage on DVD. Users are discouraged from downloading their own video from and reusing the camera by its non-standard hardware interface (based on USB) and unpublished, proprietary driver software. Hackers have developed easy workarounds for both of these deterrents:

Wiring a standard USB cable's four leads to four connectors on the edge of the camcorder's mainboard gives the camera a working USB interface.
Downloader software available at camerahacking.com lets your computer control and copy video from the camera through this new USB port. You can even upload modified firmware that increases the camera's resolution from 320x240 to 640x480

The camcorder is housed in the nosecone, with its lens looking out of a peephole cut in the side. An optional rear-view mirror redirects the view downward during the rocket's ascent.

A C-size motor can easily accelerate a rocket at 13g's. Larger motors and hard landings can generate even more. The Space Shuttle, for comparison, experiences a maximum acceleration of 3g's — this is limited to protect the astronauts.

+ High-Flying Video

Footage captured by John Maushammer's rocket-launched camcorder.

+ Launch 1

+ Launch 2

� MAKE: NOISE — Discuss this article

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Showing messages 1 through 7 of 7.

Moutnain Bike Camera
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This article inspired me to make a helmet cam: http://blog.mauronic.com/?cat=2

pete
Posted by pete_mauro on September 28, 2006 at 13:51:40 Pacific Time

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These cams with the lens extension would help out with the "mirror" problem on the rocket, no need to use a mirror anymore:
http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZlouis555_1QQhtZ-1

Louis
Posted by Louis1234 on September 06, 2006 at 13:55:54 Pacific Time

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Yes, it looks like the interesting parts of launches 2 and 3 got truncated... I'll see if we can fix them.

The first launch was the best. The parachute got twisted up in its threads, so the rocket tumbled a lot during descent. Not necessarily good for landing, but more interesting video. On this first flight, I didn't have the wire connected to the battery (step 5a) ... so it didn't record the impact and the few seconds leading up to it.

The second flight had some great clouds, but the camera moved around a lot. It's hard to get a good view of the ground.

The third flight was the smoothest, but also the most boring. The parachute worked perfectly, so the descent shows mostly the sky. Also, some of the reflective coating on my downward-facing mirror had chipped away, so the view is blurry near the edge.

- John Maushammer
Posted by morcheeba on August 19, 2006 at 22:04:58 Pacific Time

Where's the "launch"?
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The first video was the best. Launch 1 barely showed any of the actual launch, and launch 2 didn't show anything. What's the point of watching someone fiddle with the rocket for 30 seconds?
Posted by screaminscott on August 19, 2006 at 18:47:30 Pacific Time

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launch 1 and 2 dont work
Posted by young_maker on August 19, 2006 at 09:03:47 Pacific Time

They're there now
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Thanks for letting us know -- the video links are working now.
-t
Posted by terrie on August 20, 2006 at 08:32:30 Pacific Time

not working...
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Posted by young_maker on August 19, 2006 at 09:03:23 Pacific Time

Showing messages 1 through 7 of 7.

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