Bon Voyage

For those that didn't see this Thursday... LINK

the 2 Voyager probes are entering interstellar space after 30+ years of traveling. I don't know which is the more amazing story, the fact that we were able to put them together on a fairly short timeline and get them out there, that they did their jobs so well, or that they still stay in touch after all this time.

I just finished THIS book and recommend it highly if you're interested in the background of the early days at JPL.

DR

Fair thee well, little buddies, fair thee well...

New Videos

Dave Strunk (I think, there's no return address) sent me a bunch of new videos... check 'em out on the ROCC YouTube Channel link!  Thanks Dave!

April 2011 post launch report

Our intrepid and always generous "Dr Watson", Roy Potter has filed his report on the goings-on from Sunday, April 17th. Remember that it was our 1-day launch because of the weather. And speaking of the weather on Saturday we were really lucky in our part of the state. Our neighbors to the east were dealt a much heavier blow. Please, do what you can to help. Click on "Read More" for all the action...

Click to read more ...

a Thanks

I got this from Jim Eddings, mentor to the Gaston Day School TARC team. I didn't want to break the run-up to the launch but wanted to post it.

"Hi,

I wanted to express my thanks to Doc and all the members of ROCC who helped, advised, and encouraged the Gaston Day School TARC team.   Through cold, winds, a DQ, and more than one booster core sample, the experience for the students been consistently positive and immensely educational.  This team's goal was to try and make it to the finals this year, so they've achieved that goal.  With the finals still weeks away they're already talking about next year's competition.   They're approaching a potential local sponsor this week to help pay for the trip to the finals.

After getting rained out tomorrow, and having schedule conflicts with Sunday, they're looking for a 1000'/side or diameter area to do a few more test launches with heavier &/or lighter egg payloads to prepare for the national fly-off where you just get one shot to become one of the top 20.   I'm delighted they are still working since they've already accomplished their first goal.  They're planning on participating in the rocket building competition in Virginia in addition to the fly-off.  (I haven't been able to talk them into the presentation competition-  too much like schoolwork.)

In any event they're going to do their best in Virginia, and you can expect them back, probably in greater numbers,  in the fall for the next competition.  Thanks to everyone who makes these launches possible, and to all who helped time, all who offered advice, all who offered an encouraging word, applauded the good flights and empathized with the "really cool" flights.  Its been a fun ride so far and we can't wait for the next step.

Thanks for paying forward!

Jim"

Great launch

Thanks to all who came out and flew with us on Sunday. What a change from Saturday!

I believe a good time was had by all and I think we ended the weekend with most of the rockets back intact from both the barley and the trees. Once the wind shifted we were up against it for sure.

Launch system troubles will be investigated asap. I believe we have a culprit but need to make sure. I think we'll be fine for May's launch. If Kip and the barley crop continue on schedule it looks like May will be fine.

Don't forget STS-134, the penultimate shuttle launch, is due for a 7:48 Tuesday evening shot.

DR

April 17th launch is a GO!

OK, I just got off the phone with Ralph. He has spoken with Kip and we're a GO for Sunday.... as long as we're careful.

1. Drive down the sides of the runway ONLY. We'll get there and scope it out but remember that the runway is easily torn up with vehicular traffic. We need to tread lightly.

2. The barley crop in the north fields is already topped out and is in a very fragile state. We can't go tramping around in it. The winds are predicted to be from the West-Northwest, headding toward the hog pond (!) so we're planning to set up down near the wind sock to allow recovery into the south field. If the wind shifts toward the WSW direction and we start headding into the barley we will most likely have to shut down. The crop is too valuable to mess with. Kip may, at long last, have a good year.

3. Small "A" & "B" rockets..... if you land in the barley field you'll probably never be able to find it. The stuff's just too thick. We'd suggest trying long streamers, larger rockets, or tilting the rods so that we arc over the south field and stay out of the north fields.

We'll set up at 10 am as normal, if there are enough folks willing to stay and pack up, and if we have the winds co-operate, we can fly a bit later to make up a bit for Saturday.

That's about all... the fact that the barley crop will come out by mid-late May should mean that we can probably get a launch in during June. Also remember that Orangeburg is having their Sci-Power launch over the 4th of July weekend.

See you out there!  DR

Next launch window April 17th

WEATHER UPDATE as of Saturday AM:

As painful as it was I think we made the right call, as it's definately not flying weather out there. Right now there's even talk of a tornado warning headded our way. Several folks to the west of us have apparently died from the storm that will be here in just a few hours. There are now at least 2 models that have somewhere between 1 and 2.5 inches of rain all day and into the night today. Winds are forcast to be around 15 to 20 mph sustained, with gusts to 30-40. .

Saturday's flying is SCRUBBED. Keep an eye on the site later tonight and most definately check the site BEFORE you head to the field tomorrow. We aere going to go for a 1-day launch on Sunday so as to avoid the Easter weekend. That is if the field can support us after the rain on Saturday, but that we'll not know that untill we get through most of the day and see what really falls out in the Midland area.Sunday is currently looking alot better as far as the weather. Disscussion with Kip will determine if field is just too soaked from Saturday.

Camping is out of the question, unless you have a houseboat, so we'll try again another weekend.

 Remember Ken will be at MDRS RED GLARE on Staurday helping to support the Saturn launches, we will see him on Sunday. Is anyone driving up for that launch?

And HAPPY Yuri Gagarin anniversary! LINK

Bob posted a reminder that it's also the anniversary of STS-1. Do you remember where you were? I had just started working for First Union and watched it on TV with a pilot friend on mine. We all wondered when they'd drop the gear on touchdown.

Roy sent along a reminder of the KIDS ROCKET RAFFLE... here are the details:

There will be 17 LP rockets for the kids to choose from.

Rockets are assembled, painted and ready to fly.

Each will come with a "A" or "B" engine depending on size.

Kids will be able to win Two times.

Tickets will only be 50 cents each. (we don't expect to make a profit, this is for the kids)

Dads can buy tickets and choose for them if their kids are home.

drawings will be held 3 to 4 times a day.

Winning tickets with kids not present will be saved and kids/parents contacted.

Thanks for organizing this Roy.

I know as well as the rest of you how dissapointing it is to get ready for a launch weekend only to have the weather jerk the rug out. Keep up on the site as we'll post weather updates ASAP. Ralph and Brad are going to speak later today about the whole thing. They'll also need to talk to Kip about field drainage for Sunday.

DR

TARC finalists announced

Hey folks... check out the team from Gaston Day School, being advised by our own Jim Eddings!

Thanks for the heads up Sandy!

March 19th & 20th, 2011 launch report

Roy's back with another wonderful launch report from our windy but quite fun weekend launch on March 19th & 20th. Please click the "Read More" link to see the whole thing. THANKS Roy! DR

Click to read more ...

April 2nd Demo Launch Postponed till Sunday @ 10:00 AM

Saturday, 8:30 PM:  Update to the Update: Spoke with Brad and the Y-guides folks this morning and the wind is just too much for us by 1:00 today (scheduled launch time). We have worked out to fly at 10:00 AM on Sunday morning in the hope that the winds will be favorable. Set-up is at about 9:00. If you were going to volunteer today and could still be there tomorrow please post in the comments section so we know who can make it.

DR

Heads Up to all who are planning to be in on this one.... Right now the wind forcast is 15 - 20 mph sustained and gusts to 30 mph plus. We're scheduled to be in the same field that we were in last time, the "Bowling Alley" across the street from the house.

Brad is trying to get up with the organiozers to see if we can shift to Sunday or what, but will happen we don't know right now. Please stay up with the website early tomorrow before you head out. If we know somthing tonight I'll post it. Thanks for your paitience in dealing with mother nature!

(DR)

Please check the members only section for details on this demo launch and the volunteers needed.  Contact me for more details or post in the discussion.