NASA Films a Rocket Booster Test in Never Before Seen Detail

NASA filmed the recent test of a Orbital ATK QM-2 motor using a the new High Dynamic Range Stereo X (HiDyRS-X) camera system that captured the test in never before seen detail. The new system solves some of the problems with trying to film an exhaust plume of a rocket that is both incredibly bright and moving incredibly fast. The HiDyRS-X system records multiple exposures in slow motion to provide a higher level of detail and information than ever before.

The HiDyRS-X project originated from a problem that exists when trying to film rocket motor tests. Rocket motor plumes, in addition to being extremely loud, are also extremely bright, making them difficult to record without drastically cutting down the exposure settings on the camera. Doing so, however, darkens the rest of the image, obscuring other important components on the motor.