Whoops...!

This,  from Ars Technica...  LINK

Apparently the folks who built the motion/velocity sensor package for that Proton rocket had had a few too many vodkas the night before they did the assembly....

dr

If only it were true....

Hi All... while not a lot is going on at the farm I have been looking for stuff to post. I stumbled on this link on the MAKE site today, and it's making the rounds of the internet. Back in the late 80's, Rockwell Corp. came up with the "Integrated Space Plan" as a way to plan for future missions world-wide. It projects missions out past the year 2100.

You really want to download the .pdf. It's a vector-based graphic and while its not large in terms of data, in terms of pixels it is huge: 16800 x 27000. At typical monitor resolutions, that’s about 12 screens wide by 30 screens high. If your browser won’t display it, try right-clicking on the link, selecting "Save as..."

The article on the MAKE site really is fascinating as well....   Enjoy!     dr

June Launch Update

Ralph and John have conferred with Kip (the land owner) and determined that a) the wheat is still way too wet to cut, not only that, the field is so drenched he can't get equipment into the field to harvest; and b) It's not very likely that we'll have a field back before the end of June at least, and that's if it dries out pretty darned quick.

So, with that said, we would hope to have a July launch. Have a safe holiday and we'll see you soon....

Doc R.

Why TARC? Here's why...

So most of you know we support the NAR Team America Rocketry Challenge (TARC), and some of you have even worked with one of the teams that have come to our launches.

The question the rest of you might ask is "Is it doing any good?"

Well, as this note will show you, YES, it does. I've obvuscated it a bit to conceal the true identities, but it made me very happy to hear the following from Martha Thompson...

"The Gaston Day School TARC team has completed its third year of existence. The three original team members have now graduated high school. All three are certified at the Junior level for HPR through NAR. Jim Eddings has been the NAR mentor, with an unquenchable enthusiasm for the development of the team. He generously has given of his time to listen to rocket design ideas, travel to launches (Charlotte and Orangeburg), provide supplies when  needed, and most importantly, encourage the boys at each step, or back step in the process. He stepped back and allowed them to make the decisions, to succeed or fail, and helped console them after many KATOs.

 We now have three future scientists: 

The first one will be attending Furman University in the Fall, pursuing a pre-engineering degree, with hopes to focus in Aeronautical Engineering.

 Student number 2 is headed to St. Lawrence University to major in physics and engineering.

 And student 3 will be at SUNY in Syracuse majoring in Environmental Science.

The rocketry exposure has solidified their interest in the science field, as they learned applied science, perseverance, details, the true meaning of the "scientific method" through trial and error. 

Teenagers frequently find it difficult to recognize there are adults with useful knowledge who have a willingness to impart the same. Through the support of ROCC, each member of the team, collectively and individually have learned to seek guidance of you rocketry experts. Perhaps this will spill over into other areas of their lives as they explore new paths.  

 We can see a glimpse of how these boys are already "paying it forward", as this past school year they started a "Rocket Club" for 5th-6th graders and led the group of 19 through 2 builds and subsequent launches. They stood up to the challenge and have sparked the interest of many youngsters.   

 Thanks to all ROCC members who have asked questions, provided support, extracted rockets from trees, lent a tool, motor casings, or some epoxy over the years, and simply but significantly, reached out to encourage the GDS TARC team. We are working to put together a team for next year.  It will be a building year, with one veteran, where new members will need your encouraging words even more, and any other support you will provide. "

-- Martha Thompson

TARC mom/facilitator/ROCC family member 

June 3, 2013

Thanks Martha, and good luck to all of the students. I'm proud to have helped, even in a small way, with their pursuit of an exciting career.

Doc Russell

May 18th and 19th - Cancelled

Because of the wheat, at this point we can't walk through the fields without causing damage. Still looking at being able to launch in June.

Once we know more we will post an update.

Thanks,

John

April 2013's post-launch report....

Roy Potter has his write-up of our April launch, including our night launch. Thanks Roy..... Hit the old "Read More" link to go on.

Click to read more ...

Comic strip Foxtrot hits home... Again!

http://www.foxtrot.com/2013/04/28/

I love this strip...   

For the big picture of what's happening in space...

http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/image/1304/ssmissions_frohn_1366.jpg

Enjoy....  dr

April Launch - 4/20 & 4/21 - Camp out & Night Launch

Overall we had a fun weekend. The weather wasnt perfect with the windy conditions on Sunday, but we still got off a lot of launches on Saturday. 

I'm hoping we can build on our successful night launch next year! I like to see a lot more participants next year!

John

April launch ideas... Night Launch??

Hey all... John Bergsmith had a thought the other day that since the April launch is supposed to be a camp out launch, that we try and have a night launch.

Basic rules would be: FAR 101, 3.3 lbs and under, G & under, capped altitude at either 1000 or 1500 feet, rocket would need to be illuminated for the entire flight, with all major parts having some illumination in case of seporation, and you'd need to pass a preflight inspection before the close of the flight day before dinner break so you can fly that evening.

Thoughts? Please post in the comments so we can get a guage of interest level...

Thanks,

dr

Results of the NAR Winter meet at ROCC

Sandy's report on the NAR winter contest results, long delayed by weather, that we finally got a chance to fly in March. Thanks in advance to all who flew, and let's work on the next contest you all would like to see. Click the "Read More" link for all the gorey details...

Click to read more ...