Friday, May 9, 2008 at 4:36PM Jean found a great article on the IEEE website about the recent out-of-parameter return of the Soyuz spacecraft from the ISS. It describes what seems to be a very near disaster that may have been averted by engineers making a design change close to 40 years ago to avoid a repeat of an earlier disaster. It makes some great, albeit chilling, reading. LINK
News Tuesday, April 29, 2008 at 9:51AM Welcome All Rocketeers, Sunday, April 20th. Sunday was better in most respects, more sun, no rain but we should have expected that there would be some kind of breeze and light to stiff winds pushing the rain front out. It was easy to cope with but a nuisance just the same.
News Tuesday, April 29, 2008 at 9:48AM Welcome All Rocketeers, where were you April 19th? It was a challenge of a weekend this time. Saturday the 19th of April was off and on light rains, one good but short rain that we got a telephonic warning about. In these case�s we just quickly covered over the equipment till it passed through the area. And it was a bit more breezy than we expected. Sunday was a lot clearer and better, but we did get a bit more wind than was forecasted.
News Tuesday, April 22, 2008 at 6:09PM For those of you who missed the April launch here is the discussion regarding the field and launch status. The Barley is starting to "Head-Out", as Kip puts it, so from here on out to harvest time it has to be cared for gingerly. As it dries out to harvest which Kip said would be about the last week of May, first week of June there will be no way to fly in the field. So the May Launch dates are postponed. Kip also noted that the Corn will more than likely go in on the North field this week. However, since we are donating our equipment to the NSL launch in Orangeburg May 24th,25th, and 26h I suggest we have a launch equipment cleanup day and work day at the Farm say Saturday afternoon May 17th from 1:00-4:00. This would include prep time for the new safe, Brad, line up your welder. Sandy, I'll get the specs on the hoods this week. I would like to have all the equipment cleaned and checked out for Todd and Terry to delivery to Orangeburg on Friday May 23rd. The registration deadline is coming up soon for the NSL launch so please sign up ASAP. (See Todd's post below) The NSL launch will provide a great opprotunity for us to participate in a National launch on a great field. Please try to attend. More news to follow, so please stay tuned. Ralph Roberts ROCC Prez
News Friday, April 18, 2008 at 5:01PM OK, Here's the thing. Michael Beauchemin and his TCP TARC team built this great rocket. They flew it at the last few launches and had a qualification time of 747' and a time of 42.28 seconds. The time is SO good that they're qualified to move on to the nationals. Problem is, they need MONEY to go. Idea: RAFFLE! They're putting up a week at a beautiful house at Topsail Beach for the meager cost of just a ten-spot each, 5 for $40. Interested? Please READ MORE to get the link to the house description, it's really quite a deal.
News Sunday, April 13, 2008 at 5:42AM Saturday and Sunday April 19th and 20th from 11:00 to 7:30 each day ROCC Sport launch. We are coming into our crop season now. I got a report from Kip Williams, our land owner, that is Barley crop is running about a 1' to a 1.5' tall, so finding small Estes rockets will be tough this month if they land in the Barley (on the South field). Half the field is covered in Barley, that will be something to consider this month. I recommend flying the larger rockets this month. Bring your streamer material, 2'-5' streamers would be good to add this month, as it will lay up on top of the Barley as the rockets fall in. We will have the April launch as scheduled, May is looking out of the question due to the height and drying out of the Barley crop which will be getting ready to come out. Of course the NSL launch is the following weekend in Orangeburg, SC I say at this point we make that our may launch.... Unofficial campout launch: I spoke to Kip to ask if we could camp since we sometimes we do a Spring campout launch, he said it would be OK. I will camp if we have other takers, however, as April weather can still be cool I'll leave up to you all if you would like to camp. Vendors: No Vendors this launch, Ken will be at the Red Glare launch in MD. Note: Keep an eye on email and the website for any changes regarding our launch, especially weather.
News Sunday, April 13, 2008 at 5:40AM One of our own, Charlie Ogino made the Team America Rocket Challenge finals. That means he was one of the top 100 egg lofters in the country. He had a great qualifying score and he worked very hard to get there. Wish him luck as the finals come up next month in Virginia. Way to go Charlie!!!
News Monday, April 7, 2008 at 4:23PM Welcome All Ye Rocketeers to the ROCC makeup launch of March the 22nd. Well�. After a few days work, a few days in Atlanta accompanying my wife to a business conference, (a mini-vacation for me) a few more days work, and now it�s time to get out a post-launch report for the 22nd. I remember that it was a pretty good day overall. Some breeze, some light winds that only were a problem if your rocket flew down wind or caught a thermal like Bob�s D. Region Tomahawk. The TARC teams used every minute to get up practice and qualifying flights before their April deadline. Ken Allen did a lot of business and we gave him a lot of business after we broke some of our toys. We had 23 actual fliers, more visitors and family members and we had 93 documented flights. Please, READ MORE...
News Wednesday, April 2, 2008 at 6:16AM National Sport Launch 2008 - May 24 - 26, Orangeburg, SC NSL 2008 is coming to Orangeburg, SC. For those planning on attending and flying, please register as soon as possible. They are getting ready to order the badges and tee-shirts and need to have an accurate count. This is one of the premier rocketry events of the year!!! There will be plenty of pads and the range will be set up so that loading and flying can occur simultaneously. There will be a great mix of Low Power, Mid Power and High Power - everything from 1/2A's to M's... Please visit the NSL Website for more details. Hope to see you there!!!
News Saturday, March 29, 2008 at 11:49AM Larry: Please contact Ralph Roberts at Rocketralph@bellsouth.net or 704-568-1070. We think we found one of your old rockets from years ago this last weekend with hardware. Please call me, all my numbers for you did not work. Thanks, Ralph
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