Sham-rocket launch 3/18 outlook

Update: We've been looking at the winds, rain possibility and personnel available to run the launch this weekend. The wind forecast has gone up to 15-17 mph toward Simpson's, there's possibility of rain and pretty thick cloud cover, and to top it all off there's a bunch of folks, me included, who are sick. So I think it's best to give Saturday a miss and try for a Sunday only launch. The winds are predicted to be lower and toward the south west and hopefully more folks can help out. 

dr

Looking ahead to the weather for Saturday & Sunday, Saturday launch-window winds are heading to the NE topping out at 7 - 10 mph, which will aim us at Mr. Simpson, so reef those 'chutes and angle those launch pads! Sunday's weather outlook should be winds 3 - 5 mph changing to mostly southerly by mid day and changing to a westerly direction by 5 pm. Temps look not bad at all, with lows in the mid 40's, highs in the 60's. 

More to come!

dr

March 4th Make-up report

Our February launch pick-up date on March 4th was windy, but by 3 PM it finally started to calm down and we got some good flying in. The L-R USLI team had a long-awaited perfect flight, with all the parts coming back like they should so they should be off to Huntsville soon for their flight with NASA. Big congrats to them. Click the Read More button to get the whole enchilada... dr

Click to read more ...

Sunday, Sunday, Sunday...

WE'RE A GO!!

Sunday March 4th's launch window is a GO, with diminishing winds as the afternoon progresses. We plan to set up at 11 am, Range open by Noon. 

Ken is up in Culpepper, VA so he probably woin't be with us. He'll be at the regular ROCC launch on the 3rd weekend. 

The wind direction is from the North - North-East, blowing toward the South to South-West, so Simpson's fields shouldn't be a problem. There are trees to the south however, so plan accordingly. It's predicted to be around 8-10 mph at noon, lowering to 5-6 mph by 5 pm. We'll run the launch window as late as we can and have flyers for. 

dr

A tale of 2 Saturdays... Part 2, the UPDATE

Part 2 of the saga...  after much hand-wringing (and thank you to the couple of folks that wrote in to help) between Ken, Ralph, myself and Kip we've decided to try for a make-up launch on March 3rd.

It has a very good forecast right now, with similar temps but winds that are at least predicted to be going away from where we don't want to go. Ken may be able to make it depending on weather in Culpepper VA, and we'll hope for the best. Keep your fingers crossed!!

dr

Well, here's what we know right now folks... Saturday the 24th has very little chance of rain BUT 10+ mph winds heading from SW to NE and right towards Mr. Simpson's. We really don't think a whole lot of flying would be going on. 

Saturday the 3rd of March has essentially zero chance of rain right now but winds are going towards the south east field near the hog pond, predicted roughly the same level. 

We're trying to figure it out...  more later, as soon as we can.

dr 

February 18th Launch Report

Roy's here with his wrap-up of all things "rocket-ey" on the 18th of this month, please click the "read more" link below. dr

Click to read more ...

Possible 1-day make-up launch on weekend of 24th & 25th

Big thanks to everyone who came out to fly with us today, the weather couldn't have been much nicer for mid February! (I'm thinking about you Scott!)

We're going to look at the weather for next weekend and see if we can get in a make-up day launch either Saturday or Sunday. Among others, the LRC USLI team needs to get in a re-flight before the end of February to prepare for their trip to NASA Huntsville for their big flight. They had a rapid disassembly of a portion of their vehicle today that they need to work through.

Keep your eyes on the site and/or the ROCC FB feed for more info later this week. 

dr

No launch on the 17th, We'll fly on Sunday the 18th

UPDATE Friday evening: As of Friday evening the weather forecast for Saturday is 80% chance of rain and showers most of the day. 

Sunday looks to be lovely, so we'll fly on Sunday the 18th. 

Plan on arriving about 10:30, we'll get set up and fly by 11:30. That ought to give the field a bit of a chance to drain off if we get what they're predicting. 

dr

SpaceX has obtained a license to launch on Tuesday, 2/6

The first Falcon Heavy launch could happen on Tuesday, Feb 6th, if SpaceX is ready to go. In this story from Space.com it looks likely that the massive rocket will lift off on or about that date. 

If successful it will become the most powerful heavy-lift launch vehicle in current operation in the world, capable of lifting some 26,700 Kg to earth orbit. 

I'm planning on trying to watch, that's for sure!

dr

Launch Reports for 1/21 & 1/27

Roy's gone in to his tent and deciphered all of our flight card hieroglyphics to produce the launch reports for January 2018. Please, click the "read more" link to get all the mysterious details... dr

Click to read more ...

We're GO for Saturday Jan. 27th make-up launch.

We're GO for the 27th make-up day launch this Saturday. Temps are high about 60 degrees, about 10% chance of rain and winds fairly calm at up to 6 MPH from SSE. , I doubt we'd be able to get Sunday in, it's pushing 80% chance of rain. 

Let's try and set up between 9:30 and 10, flying by 10:30. Ken wil be on site. 

dr