A laser-launched miniature flyer system (MiniFlyer) is being used to study the dynamic properties of materials. A 3-mm diameter and 0.05-mm thick flyer plate is accelerated by a laser-pulse-induced plasma contained between a clear window substrate and the flyer plate. The substrate is coated with carbon, aluminum oxide, and aluminum to enhance the plasma formation process. The flyer impacts a gold target plate of 0.10 or 0.26 mm thickness, producing a shock. The shock pulse interacts with the free surface and reflects as a rarefaction wave, producing tension in the foil. Dynamic measurements of the free surface particle velocity were made using VISAR (Velocity Interferometer System for Any Reflector). Cross-sections of the gold targets exhibit spall planes at the expected locations. ©2000 American Institute of Physics.