the Bull Pup model rocket heads skyward at the Ken’s Lake Proving Ground this morning on an Aerotech F20-7W engine. It’s a very menacing scale replica of a short-range air-to-ground missile used by the US Navy during the 1960s and 1970s, but without the ordinance onboard, of course.
Hundreds of launches...
of low-, mid- and high-powered rockets occurred over four days at the National Sports Launch West event, bringing together more than 250 rocketeers from across the country for the Memorial Day weekend near Alamosa, Colorado. Here’s one of the first high-power rockets heading to 44,000 feet (13,400 meters) to kick off the event!
The high altitude launch site lies at 7,600 feet above sea level in the San Luis Valley with 80 launch pads/rods/rails/towers on the firing range. There’s nary a tree for miles and miles in any direction.
All launch pads and rockets on the range are fired by the Launch Control Officer and their staff of assistants, pad managers and spotters.
All rockets to be flown are first inspected by Range Safety Officers for flight worthiness prior to launch, no matter the size, both large and small.
GPS radio tracking frequencies must be managed so as to avoid conflicts during flights.
Basic kits were generously donated by Estes and the rocket engines by Chris’ Rocket Supplies for the kids.
Many vendors were represented at the event and a lot of business was conducted on the site.
The high flying rockets in the quiver...
for the National Sports Launch West to be held near Alamosa, Colorado during the upcoming Memorial Day weekend, a four day-long event. Launch waivers to 52,000 feet!!
The Arreaux (left) and Arcas (far right) are the highest fliers, and they will carry the GPS radio tracker in their payload bays.
A GPS radio tracker is tucked away...
in the payload bay of my high power model rockets that allows for accurate flight telemetry in real time, and also assists in locating the rocket after touchdown by transmitting its location. Today’s first test flight with the device went exceptionally well and provided a wealth of interesting flight data.
The Arreaux at liftoff on an Aerotech F20-7W engine, soaring to an apogee of 936 feet (285 meters).
The Featherweight GPS radio tracker mounted on a sled inside the payload bay. A small LiPo battery is secured beneath the circuit board and will not budge under high G forces at liftoff.
GPS track of flight at the Round Mountain Proving Ground rendered on Google Earth. L = launch site, A = apogee, and T = touchdown point.
Distance between launch and touchdown points is about 100 yards/meters.
Nike Smoke roars skyward...
at the Ken’s Lake Proving Ground today, one of four successful mid-power launches and recoveries.
Mt. Tukuhnikivatz provides a dramatic backdrop to the most beautiful launch site in the country.
Forty model rocket launches...
so far this year ties me with SpaceX, where they have launched an equal number of Falcon 9 rockets into orbit, on just the 93rd day of the calendar year.
The Semroc Arcas model rocket soared to 507 feet (155 m) on a C6-5 engine and soft-landed under parachute 20 feet away on a 48 second-long flight on a gorgeous morning in Castle Valley.
Level 1 certification was achieved today...
by successfully launching and recovering the high-power HV Arcas model rocket with an “H” motor to 2,314 feet (705 meters). Here are several images taken at the remote launch site on the Colorado - Utah state line. It’s very good and quite satisfying to set and achieve lofty goals in retirement.
HV Arcas on the launch rail, prepped for liftoff on a reloadable Aerotech H128-8W engine.
Blast off!
Thumbs up on a successful soft touchdown under parachute about 1,500 feet (450 meters) down range.
The flight recorder showed that the rocket’s top speed was 391 mph with 16.1 G peak acceleration for a flight lasting 146 seconds.
HV Arcas launch video courtesy BH. “That’s the up part!”
A gathering of nerds...
occurs once a month on the Utah - Colorado state line, here framed by the Book Cliffs to the north. The so-called Warp Core chapter of the National Association of Rocketry organizes model rocket launches at this remote site where members fly low-, medium- and high-powered model rockets. It’s a ridiculous amount of fun and here are some of my launches from today.
The launch site in the Grand Valley west of Grand Junction, Colorado. NOTAMs are filed and we have a waiver to fly to 12,000 feet (4,000 meters). Coordinates: 39.27910365938015, -109.04074725724564
The scale model Doorknob sounding rocket moments after ignition.
Cherokee Pro roaring off the rail on a G40-7W engine to an apogee of 1,711 feet (522 meters).
The recently finished (but not yet painted/decaled) Bull Pup on its maiden flight skyward on a F20-4W engine.
A dead calm morning...
absolutely demands a rocket launch. Willing to comply, Nike X achieved a 576 foot (176 meter) apogee on a “C” engine on a 48 second-long flight.
Nike X and me. The Aerotech wireless launch controller seen attached to the tripod works fantastically well, allowing a greater standoff from the pad, using Bluetooth and your smartyphone.
The twelfth successful flight...
and soft landing of the scale model Patriot rocket this chilly but calm afternoon.
The Patriot model rocket after a successful flight to 425 feet (130 meters). The vent holes allow the parachute to rotate on a swivel during descent. Very entertaining.
The first mid-power launches...
of the year occurred this perfect afternoon with two large model rockets soaring skyward on “F” engines.
Moab Man hitching a ride on the MOAB as it rockets off the rail.
The recently finished (but not painted) Cherokee Pro at the moment of ignition of the Aerotech F20-7W engine with its characteristic brilliant white flame.
Several Christmas morning launches...
punctuated the mid-morning calm below Parriott Mesa, delighting friends and neighbors of all ages. No flying reindeer were harmed in this exercise and all safety guidelines of the National Association of Rocketry were stringently followed.
Patriot heading to a 444 foot apogee (~135 meters) on a “C” engine.
Nike Smoke whooshing to a 423 foot apogee (~129 meters) on a “C” engine.
I launched my first model rocket as a gray-haired adult on Christmas day last year, and these launches bring the year’s total to 103 liftoffs with only two failures (a CATO and a lawn dart). Bigger rockets. Neater gadgets. Huge fun.
My personal best was achieved today...
where the Arreaux model rocket soared to an apogee of 2,402 feet (732 meters) on a “G” engine at a remote launch site on the state line. I’m aiming higher.
Also, these launches push me over the century mark, now having sent more than 100 model rockets skyward this year. Huge fun.
The Book Cliffs serve as a backdrop as the Arreaux zooms off the pad.
The Nike Smoke Pro under chute after achieving an apogee of 695 feet (212 meters).
Pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) wondering what all the commotion was about out on the range this morning.
The winter launch campaign commences...
with the Arcas model sounding rocket, seen here lifting off on a beautiful sunny morning from the driveway.
Accompanied by a cloud of smoke and a whoooosh, Arcas soars off the rod to an apogee of 488 feet on a standard “C” engine.
The Thiokol rocket garden...
in remote northern Utah displays all the rocket engines and missiles they manufacture at full scale, now under corporate ownership by Northrop-Grumman. I have an enormous case of rocket envy.
The rocket garden is free and open daily to the public and includes interpretive signs and related displays. Well worth a visit if you’re heading to the Golden Spike National Historical Park which is nearby.
The submarine-launched ballistic Trident (center) with the three-stage land-based Minuteman ICBM (left of center). The enormous solid rocket booster for the Space Shuttle lays in the background.
The business end of the Space Shuttle’s solid rocket booster. When ignited, a pair of these provided 85% of the thrust at liftoff for the first two minutes of ascent. Unfortunately there are no demonstrations.
Location on Google Maps: 41.65892098884914, -112.44084106450782
An incredibly green and groomed launch site...
serves as the venue for the well-named Sod Blaster VI, an annual event held during Labor Day weekend at a sod farm near Pasco, Washington. More than 100 rocketry nerds gathered to launch low- to high-power model rockets during the four day-long event. It’s fair to say that everybody here has a blast!
An array of launch pads is commanded by the launch control officer (on left) at the well organized event. A high power rocket is heading skyward from a distant pad on the range.
My Nike Smoke Pro ready to go on a mid-power launch rail. It successfully soared to a 617 foot (188 meter) apogee on a “F” rocket engine.
Preparing to attach the electrical igniter to the high power HV Arcas model rocket for my Level 1 certification attempt on a “H” engine.
The HV Arcas zipping off the pad to a 1,719 foot (524 meter) apogee. Unfortunately the rocket separated too energetically when the ejection charge fired but all components were recovered. I'll have to try again for the L1 certification given this failure during flight.
The Arreaux shooting off the pad on a “G” engine to an apogee of 1,826 feet (557 meters).
T-minus five days until Sod Blaster VI...
in southeastern Washington where I hope to earn my Level 1 certification in order to purchase and launch bigger rocket engines in my larger/heavier model rockets. I will fly the 56 inch (142 cm) tall Aerotech HV Arcas for the certification flight, a 60% scale replica of the actual high velocity Arcas sounding rocket historically used for atmospheric research.
The Aerotech HV Arcas and the Aerotech Arreaux model rockets. The smaller and sporty Arreaux should reach 3,000 feet on a "G" engine according to computer simulations.
Based on simulations using OpenRocket software that utilizes basic physics, aerodynamic principles and the standard atmospheric model, the HV Arcas model rocket should soar to a half-mile high apogee in a flight lasting two minutes long on a “H” rocket engine. A Jolly Logic Altimeter Two will be onboard during the cert flight in order to record flight data.
Design rendering of the HV Arcas from OpenRocket software showing internal structure and components, as well as the center of gravity and center of pressure on the airframe.
Simulated flight profile of the HV Arcas flying on a “H” engine from OpenRocket software showing a predicted apogee of 2,456 feet (~750 meters) for a flight lasting 129 seconds.
Links: Sod Blaster VI and OpenRocket software.
The northern rocket arsenal...
is ready to fly, but with all the burn bans currently in effect in eastern Washington that’s not going to happen anytime soon. The HV Arcas model rocket will be used to obtain my Level 1 certification from the National Association of Rocketry at an event later this month. I’m leveling up to higher power rocketry. It’s important to pursue goals in retirement.
Link to Sod Blaster 2024 and the Level 1 Certification Process.
The Doorknob was a sounding rocket...
used in the Pacific in 1958 during Project Hardtack to monitor the radiation in the upper atmosphere during the nuclear tests. Here’s my scale model lifting off from the Ken’s Lake Missile Test Range early this morning.
The snazzy Doorknob roaring off the launch rail under thrust from a “F” engine, achieving an 893 foot apogee during its minute-long flight.
A calm Memorial Day morning...
at the Round Mountain Proving Ground saw five model rockets soaring skyward. Here are just a couple.
Moab Man hitching a ride on the MOAB to low Earth orbit, blasting off on a “F” engine.
Once again the Frangible Arcas is the high flyer of the day, achieving a 1,341 foot apogee on a “E” engine.