What a Launch, you guys rule

Brad Shea posted a question on our group site at RocketryPlanet.org, "What was your favorite flight of the weekend? I didn't have to think long, It was the First rack of Rockets on Saturday. For the first time in club history spanning back to the years of The Carolina Space Modelers say around 1993 we had 24 Estes and Mid Power rockets on the Pad in one rack. Plus, in a span of less than 3 and a half hours Saturday we flew over 145 rockets. We also had the most ever participants in a drag race, 5 rockets left the pad in one launch. Thanks to the efforts of many dedicated ROCC members that helped Saturday we "ROCCed the house". Dave Hutchinson and the Pack 214 scouts deserve a big hand in helping us set these records on a day that almost did not happen cause of the weather outlook. Also, we have to give a big thumbs up to Charlie Ogino who had a qualifying flight for the TARC competition that is almost a shoe in for the finals. Doc Russell got his NAR L2 cert Saturday and Mike O'hara got his NAR L1 on Sunday. Should I say more about our group, nah, if you missed this launch, shame on you. Thanks to All, Ralph Roberts ROCC Prez and Prefect

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Thank You All

I wanted to issue a much deserved and heartfelt THANK YOU to all who have helped me complete my L2 this weekend. Especially Brad, Todd, Ralph, Terry and most of all my wife Jean. Thank all of you who were there with your good wishes as well on this, as well as my 2 previous attempts! Y'all are just the greatest.

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Sunday March 16th Launch is GO

Sunday's launch is a GO. However, due to the rain it will be important for you to drive on the sides of the runway. Set up at 10:30 flights start at 1100. Be advised that winds are forecast to be between 8-15 but should settle as the day goes on. Ken allen from Performance hobbies did confirm that he will be down Sunday as well. I suggest you come out and support Ken has he will not be at our April launch due to scheduling conflicts. Next Saturday March 22nd. We still plan have a "make-up flight day" Yes we know we may have a low turnout because its Easter Weekend, but it's the best we can offer to those who may missout this weekend. And the different TARC teams may need that last chance to get qualifying flights before the April deadline. I would like to leave the start time flexible to allow for best flight conditions. Questions. Ralph Roberts. roccprez@bellsouth.net 704-568-1070 home 704560-0147 Cell.

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March ROCC Launch Weather Update Friday AM

Everyone: This is a hard weekend to call, we have strong winds out in front of a strong cold front moving in. As of Thursday late forecast Saturday looks rough. The forecast of severe weather weighs heavy on our decision. So, this will not be official until 5:00pm Friday afternoon as we understand more the dynamics of the upper level disturbances and the front and its position by late afternoon. Please check back tomorrow evening for more updates. That said we are leaning for a scrub of the launch Saturday and going for a one day launch Sunday. However, winds are not in our favor on Sunday behind the front and we may have to call Sunday due too high winds. We understand the TARC teams are running out of time and only have a few more weeks to get their qualifying flights in. So we feel that we will attempt a one day make up launch on Saturday March 22nd from 11:00-7:00. Ken please advise your schedule for March 22nd, lets us know if you could come down pending the launch. More to come, Ralph Roberts ROCC Prez

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ROCC March Rocket Launch, 15 - 16th

Everyone: Official launch announcement for ROCC Sport Launch: Saturday and Sunday March 15th and 16th from 11:00 to 7:00 each day This month's launch looks a little iffy with a front moving in Saturday. Please keep checking the website and email for further launch details. We will not have an option to go around due to the Easter holiday the following weekend. We will try to get this launch in the best we can. Large Boy Scout group to attend early Saturday. David Hutchinson from Pack 214 is bringing at least 47 scouts out for a day of launching. We may be pretty busy Saturday morning. They came out last year and we had a really great time. I would ask all senior members of the club to make yourself available to assist in either with pad management, or to just be available if they need help with prepping, repairs, etc. We will have our new Estes PVC pads available that Todd has been working on. I hope to have all 24 pads up and running at this launch. Please, READ MORE

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February 2008 Launch Report

Welcome, welcome everyone to the February Post-Launch Rocket Report, being brought to you by Louise Ferrell, Assistant Secretary. The forecast for the entire weekend was cold, windy and rain, but, fortunately once again the reports were in error. The weather overall was very good but we had winds that varied from almost calm to strong gusts which made predicting rocket course at times difficult. (Roy�s Note: I myself had two MP flights come in ballistic behind the flight line so we need to take extra care on a rockets angle and try to take into account the effect of �wind Cocking�.)

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Cool link

Todd & Stephanie Haring sent me this link to some photos a NASA friend sent them from the last ISS/Shuttle mission. They're really beautiful, check 'em out! LINK DR

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At Last a P-MOTOR

Ralph was just over a little while ago and showed me this link to video of a P-motor take off at the NAR Winter Nationals. I'll warn you, it's a 32 MB download, but it's well worth it, and you need to turn your speakers UP. Here's the LINK. ENJOY !!! DR

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Stereo Space Station

OK folks, rummage around and find a pair of those red/blue stereo vision glasses (of course you know you have a pair, you're a nerd!) and go to this link. It's really COOL!

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Lunar Eclipse Tonight (Feb 20)

Everyone: Tonight, starting at 8:43pm there will be a full Lunar Eclipse with totallity being reached at 10:01pm and lasting for 50 minutes. It will be almost 3 years before the next one so don't miss it. Thanks, Ralph PS - The military may try to shoot down the Satilite tonight as well, you may want to checkout SPACE.COM for updates. What a great day in space!!!

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