Autonomous Catapult Launch Video

[mlbco]

I purchased a new video camera that lets me shoot 3 seconds of video at 120 fps, so I can now do a 12 second slow motion clip. I shot this video of a production Bat 3 UAV launching autonomously from our roof-rack mounted catapult. The UAV weighs 23 lbs and goes from 0 to 30 mph in about 6 feet. The catapult uses Latex tubing to store energy and is tensioned by hand using a built in pulley system. The catapult weighs 40 lbs with box.

Steve

http://youtube.com/watch?v=3xR9W6zA3WQ

[kd7ost]

Very cool Steve,

Thanks for sharing that.

Dan

[Mick Molloy]

Cool got any detials on the cam??

[mlbco]

Mick,

I'm using a Sony HDR-SR5 camera. Many of the Sony HD cameras offer this feature. Sony calls it "smooth slow record".

Steve

[Tom Harper]

Steve,

Nice launch!

That catapult is very clean. It must have a healthy release mechanism.

Tom

[Brian Chitty]

looks like a transmitter was being used. Safety back up for the autonomous launch?

[mlbco]

Brian,

Yes, the transmitter is always on during launch and landing for safety. You can see my right hand never touches the stick and my left hand is just holding it.

Steve