September 18th

On September 18th there is another opportunity for ROCC to shine the light on rocketry with another outreach session. It'll be back at Rural Hill Farms. (map located here) It'll be late in the afternoon. The Y-Guides have invited us to participate in their weekend of activities by flying a Demo Launch. This time we will not have kids' rockets to prep and fly but we need to keep them entertained and keep things moving. As you can see from the map the site is fairly small, so FAR-101 rules will apply. Rule of thumb is just about any G under 80N average thrust and under 62.5g propellant weight. If you look at the map closely the square site to the north is the corn maze so that's not really available for recovery. If you're available to help please contact Brad at his usual email address. Discussion is located on ROCC's Rocketry Planet site. DR

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It's not Rocket Science... Oh, wait, yes it is

You know, we spend a lot of time fooling around with some pretty esoteric stuff, and a lot of terms get bandied about, but when it comes down to it we are really dealing with some heavy duty math. I got curious and Googled "Barrowman", that is James Barrowman, from the NASA sounding rocket branch, who did his Master's thesis on 'The Practical Calculation of the Aerodynamic Characteristics of Slender Finned Vehicles'. What I found, and thought I'd share, is a wonderful page of links to all of the math that goes into rocket stability and performance that you'd probably ever need. Here's a LINK

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Only 2 more days

There's only today and Monday to get your butt down to Orangeburg for one of the best annual weekend launches this side of the Mississippi! I encourage everyone that can go to head on down to O'burg this year and either fly or watch the great show. Here's a LINK to the ICBM-SC message board on Freedom launch and here's a LINK to the Super Sod farm location on Chop Road in O'burg. Happy flying!!! DR

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This is COOL

OK, I don't really mean to step on the conversation about the upcoming Orangeburg festivities, but our own Dr. Doug and his kids have been at it again. He sent a link to the Fliker feed of photos from their high altitude balloon flight this past weekend. This LINK should get you there. Approximate altitude is 85,000 ft. Yes, that's about 16 miles! Way to GO!

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Correction to Labor Day Monday Experimental Launch

Correction is that = (as I know at this time)1. Monday IS a Tripoli Association members Only flight day.2. Tripoli Assoc members can fly up to their Certification level "0" to "3" with "Certified" engines only.3. Tripoli Assoc members Cert Level "2" and "3" Only can fly Research/Experimental.Any further clarifications will be posted as they are identified.Roy, ROCC Sec.

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Correction to Labor Days, Monday Experimental Launch Day.

Correction is that = (as I know at this time) 1. Monday IS a Tripoli Association members Only flight day. 2. Tripoli Assoc members can fly up to their Certification level "0" to "3" with "Certified" engines only. 3. Tripoli Assoc members Cert Level "2" and "3" Only can fly Research/Experimental. Any further clarifications will be posted as they are identified. Roy, ROCC Sec.

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Freedom Launch correction.

I may have made a slight "Boo Boo". Monday is a Tripoli Research/Experimental Launch day. It is a Tripoli Assoc members only flight day. But any Tripoli member can fly up to their Certification Level. "0" to "3" on certified engines. Tripoli Certification Levels "2" and "3" only can perform "Research/Experimental" launchs. Sorry for the slipup Roy. ROCC Sec.

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Annual Freedom Launch Rocket Meet

Starting to experience some withdrawl symptoms since our last launch?Since the crop season will keep us out of the farm for a couple of months yet, I strongly prescribe a road trip this �Labor Day� weekend (4 � 5 � 6 Sept.) to Orangeburg SC.For �Freedom Launch�, the annual East Coast Rocket Meet Hoasted = by the Orangeburg NAR (ROSCO) and Tripoli (ICBM) Chapters.Web site = WWW.tripolisc.org.As Doc Russell said this is a annual pilgrimage for most of us and even if your not planning to fly, it is well worth it to go and just watch the show. And then you also have a selection of venders for those things that you haven�t been able to get hold of for a while.Fliers have come from as far North as Maine as far south as Florida and as far west as Texas.Fliers or groups who have a rocket project that they can only fly once a year, and want it to be seen, bring it here. So you can always expect a show.Not to say that there are no Low or Mid Power fliers. The kids can outnumber the adults.Usually, they have at least 12 or more Low Power pads set up with 12 or more Mid Power and High Power pads,�and about 4 High Power Away Cells. So there is usually no back ups with plenty of pads available.Directions From the Charlotte area.�� (The Orangeburg club flies off a �Super Sod� Farm)Travel Time = from I-85 at Harris Blvd is 2 hours 40 minutesTake I-77 South to where it ends at Columbia SC.Merge off the end of I-77 onto I-26 South.Take I-26 S to Exit 154A (Hwy 301) towards O�Burg.The Super Sod farm is only about � to � mile on the Left.Staying over? (ask for Freedom Launch discount)Days Inn, 1-803-534-0500, Across the I-26 Hwy, Minimal services but has a pool.Comfort Inn and Suites 1-803-531-9200, Exit 145A south (Hwy 601) off I-26.3671 Saint Matthews Rd (Hwy 601). More services and resurants in walking distance.Flight Fee =� $10 a day or $25 for the weekend.Sat, 4 Sept and Sun, 5 Sept.Sport Launch. = 10 am till 8:30 pm. Open to all fliers up to their Certification Level. Levels �0� thru �3�Those wanting to make cert Flights need to make arrangements with available judges.Ceiling of� 9,000 ft daytime. Expected flights over 6,000 ft need to check with Safety Officer first.Sunday night is the Night Launch (always a good show)� 9pm till 10:30pm.Rockets must be illuminated throughout flight. Has a 3,000 ft altitude waiver.Monday, 6 Sept, (Labor Day) ( Info as known at this time )(A slower laid back day with long prep times and fantastic flights.)Experimental flights.Tripoli Cert Level 2 and 3 only Sport flights.Tripoli Certification flights of Level 1 to Level 2.Hope to you all out there wearing the ROCC �T� shirts, show the colors dudes!Roy, ROCC Sec.

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Outreach in August

On Saturday, the 14th of August there is an opportunity for ROCC to do a demo launch at the Belk Scout camp out near the regular field. If you can help out it would be greatly appreciated. You can get all the details from the ROCC blog on Rocketry Planet. Looking ahead to September remember that the Freedom launch is down in Orangeburg, SC on Labor Day weekend. Big rockets, massive engines, lots of fun even if you just go and watch. It's a yearly pilgrimage for some, and is always a great time.

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No local launch in July

Sorry folks, but because of the crops there is no local launch in July. I'm headed to Monroe HS on Tuesday to talk with their Science Olympiad about rocketry. In O'burg this weekend there is a ICMB Research weekend. Looking ahead, August 7 & 8 in O'burg is a NAR sactioned sport launch, and then of course on September 4-5-6 is the big Freedom Launch. I know that there are several outreach opportunities with the Y-Guides and the Scouts in the near future, check up on Rocketry Planet for that info. Remember to watch the LDRS coverage on the Science channel, or on line at their web site. Several of our buddies, including Mark Canepa are featured. That's all for now, build 'em big and we'll see you in September if not before! DR

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