MythBusters · Video summary
Did The Chinese Really Build The World's First Two Stage Rocket? | MythBusters
The MythBusters tackle the legend of the Fire Dragon, a supposed 14th-century Chinese two-stage rocket. They investigate its aerodynamic viability and the functionality of its arrow-firing second stage.
Watch on YouTube ↗Key takeaways
- 🐉The Fire Dragon is an ancient weapon myth from 14th-century China, rumored to be the very first two-stage rocket.00:16
- 🌬️The initial, historically accurate design of the Fire Dragon was not aerodynamic and would not fly straight, as demonstrated in a NASA wind tunnel.03:48
- 🚀A modified Fire Dragon design, incorporating stabilizing fins and a simpler head, proved to be aerodynamically stable in the wind tunnel and during initial flight tests.04:22
- 💥The second stage's ignition system, designed to fire 10 rocket-powered arrows, successfully ignited all arrows on cue in a bunker test.09:33
- ⏱️The full-scale Fire Dragon's first stage flew for 12 seconds, establishing the optimal 6-second mark for the second stage deployment.11:38
- 🎯In the full-scale battle test, 7 out of 10 second stages fired, deploying 70 arrows, but accuracy was a major issue, with many arrows missing their targets.21:33
Chapters
- 0:06Introduction to the Fire Dragon Myth
- 0:44Historical Overview and Myth Description
- 1:48Testing the Fire Dragon's Aerodynamics
- 3:27Building the Fire Dragon Model
- 4:09Wind Tunnel Testing at NASA
- 8:10First Stage Field Test
- 11:43Second Stage Design Challenges
- 13:22Building the Second Stage Quiver
- 15:12Second Stage Ignition Test
- 16:44Full-Scale Fire Dragon Construction
- 18:42First Stage Flight Time Test
- 20:08Second Stage Proof of Concept Test
- 24:19Building Multiple Fire Dragons
- 27:22Distance Test for Single Rocket Arrow
- 30:12Full-Scale Fire Dragon Battle Test
- 36:47Results and Conclusion
The digest
The annals of ancient warfare are rife with tales of ingenious, and sometimes fantastical, weaponry. Among these legends, the Fire Dragon stands out—a supposed two-stage rocket from 14th-century China, rumored to be the very first of its kind. The MythBusters, ever keen to separate fact from fiction, embarked on an ambitious quest to recreate and test this mythical missile, pushing the boundaries of historical accuracy and modern rocketry.
The Legend of the Fire Dragon
The Fire Dragon, as described in historical accounts, was a formidable weapon. It was envisioned as a long tube adorned with a dragon's head, propelled by external rockets. What made it truly revolutionary was its two-stage design: after an initial launch, a second stage would activate mid-flight, unleashing a volley of rocket-powered arrows from the dragon's mouth. The challenge, however, lay in the scarcity and ambiguity of historical evidence, leaving its functionality shrouded in mystery. The MythBusters' mission was clear: determine if such a complex weapon could have actually worked.
Keep reading in The Digest
The full 4-minute article, 8 more sections, and every new episode from MythBusters and the creators you follow.
- Aerodynamic Assessment: Wind Tunnel Woes
- Modern Modifications for Stability
- First Stage Flight Tests: From Wind Tunnel to Desert Sky
- Designing the Second Stage: A Quiver of Challenges
- Second Stage Proof of Concept: A Fiery Success
- Timing is Everything: Halfway to the Target
- Full-Scale Battle: The Fire Dragon Unleashed
- The Verdict: Plausible, But Not Practical
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