Question about the failed rocket launches in the movie "The Right Stuff"

[NFS4]

First off, EXCELLENT MOVIE which everyone should see :camera:

Secondly, there's a sequence about an hour into the movie where they show a bunch of failed rocket launches. At the end of the sequence, they show a rocket sitting on the launch pad, the engineer presses the button for the rocket to launch and the only thing that happens is that the parachute hatch blows and out comes the parachute (while a champaigne cork popping sound is made).

I was wondering if that really happened or if the director was just trying to add a dose of humour?

 

[Atrail]

never heard of it
who are some of the actors? may check it out

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: Atrail
never heard of it
who are some of the actors? may check it out

Star studded cast. It's a movie about Chuck Yeager and breaking the sound barrier and Mach 2 (earlier in the film) and the Mercury 7 astronauts. It also won 4 Oscars

Scott Glen
Dennis Quaid
Sam Shepard
Ed Harris
Fred Ward



http://us.imdb.com/Title?0086197

 

[FoBoT]

searching here , but haven't found reference to that yet

 

[C'DaleRider]

That incident is, I believe, director's license. Remember, there was a rocket-powered "launch escape system" on top of the capsule used to pull the capsule off the rocket in case of disaster at launch. Therefore, the parachute could not have "popped out" on the pad. The emergency tower was discarded late in boost phase.

Scroll down page for a representation of the tower.