Mythbusters: Rocket sled + 650mph + compact car = awesome

I've built a few rockets in my day, but I've never seen anything accelerate that fast. Peacekeeper 13 came close; about 10 seconds from JATO expulsion to out of visual range, but that wasn't quite so dramatic. Excellent clip! :-D

"A Journey of a Thousand Rest Stops Begins with a Single Movement"

JoeKennington

Dave Kreskowiak wrote:

BTW, did you notice the car barely moved at all as the sled was slamming into it??

It looks good doesn't it. The speed of the impact is faster that the speed of the shock traveling down the car. Basically there just isn't enough for the car to react to whats happening with it. You can replicate to the effect by putting two nails in each end of a broom handle, balancing the broom using the nails on two wine glasses. You can get a sword/axe/something sharp and chop the broom handle in two without breaking the glasses. The broom handle breaks before the force is transfered to the glasses. Joe

trshively

I wonder how comparable the energy realease was of the rocket sled and cement truck. I wouldn't be surprised if it was close to the same.

tiggercm

The exploding cement truck was my previous favorite. This just became my new favorite! Seeing that sled jump down the track like that was great.

Filip C

the video is deleted.. :( someone has another link?