Southern Arizona Rocketry Association
Tucson, AZ
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2001 News ArchivePosted 01/30/01 Jan. 28th launch officially scrubbedThe January launch was scrubbed due to the weather. After the range personnel and a few other members met at the hanger it was decided to scrub the launch. Space Modeling Solutions (Pete) did show up and hung around awhile to deliver some orders, sell some stuff and swap some information and stories (all true of course). Posted 01/27/01 34th Anniversary of the Apollo 1 fireThe Apollo 1 spacecraft module accident occured on January 27, 1967. It claimed the lives of three NASA astronauts, Lt. Col. Virgil I. Grissom, Lt. Col. Edward H. White, and Lt. Cmdr. Roger B. Chaffee. The links below provide more information. NASA chronologial event report NASA web page for the review board 15th Anniversary of the Challenger disasterThe space shuttle Challenger accident occured on January 28, 1986. the crew all died in the incident.
The link below provides more information. NASA Information on the STS-51L/Challenger Accident Posted 01/01/01 New board begins service in JanuaryThe new board elected at the last meeting held at the end of the year 2000 will begin to serve as of January 1st. The first board meeting was held on January 10th. The next board meeting is scheduled for February 7th. The new officers, committee chairman and other positions are as follows: President: Doug
Forester Please feel free to contact us if you need assistance with anything club related. Ad hoc committee chaired by John Hunnicutt procures new trailer for SARAThe Trailer Acquisition committee has obtained a new trailer. This trailer will be used to haul the launch equipment to and from the hanger building where the equipment is stored. We all owe John and the committee a BIG THANK YOU! Starting with the January 28th launch there will be many changes to SARANew range procedures will be in effect. The RSO (range safety officer) and LCO (launch control officer) duties will be seperated. All rockets to be launched will be inspected by the RSO at a separate table before you can present your rocket and flight card to the LCO for a pad assignment. The RSO will mark your completed flight card. The LCO will not accept any flight cards for pad assignment that are not marked by the RSO. If you have any questions or need any assistance about range procedures or any other matters when at the launch site, don't hesitate to contact a SARA official. SARA will now be charging annual dues to members. This will enable SARA to continue to provide and expand the launch equipment and the facility at TIMPA. In addition, we hope to initiate and expand public communication and outreach programs that will benefit both SARA and the community. SARA has been surviving on funds from the NARAM national sport launch that we hosted several years ago. As those funds dwindle we have to look at other methods to fund the club and it's activities. We all hope that this will be a positive change and that it will enable SARA to provide a better club for all members and the general public. The new fee structure will be:
Membership applications will be made available at the registration/RSO table at the January launch. Please join SARA and help to improve the club, the facilities, and to help SARA better serve the community. Posted 2/16/01 New Model Rocket Safety CodeOn 2/10/01 NAR published a new Model Rocket Safety Code Posted 2/12/01 Letter from the presidentDoug Forester, the president of SARA, has an important message for the new year.
Range procedures postedRange procedures compiled by Tony are now available.
February 24th launch infoBecome a member of SARA at the Feb. 24th launch. Membership applications will be available at the registration table. This will be a FAA waivered launch. Flights to 4500ft AGL will be permitted. Flyers of high power rockets must show that their rocket will not exceed the waiver if requested by the RSO. You may show manual calculations, computer simulations, etc. New range procedures will be in effect. The RSO (range safety officer) and LCO (launch control officer) duties will be seperated. All rockets to be launched will be inspected by the RSO at a separate table before you can present your rocket and flight card to the LCO for a pad assignment. The RSO will mark your completed flight card. The LCO will not accept any flight cards for pad assignment that are not marked by the RSO. If you have any questions or need any assistance about range procedures or any other matters when at the launch site, don't hesitate to contact a SARA official. SARA will now be charging annual dues to members. This will enable SARA to continue to provide and expand the launch equipment and the facility at TIMPA. In addition, we hope to initiate and expand public communication and outreach programs that will benefit both SARA and the community. SARA has been surviving on funds from the NARAM national sport launch that we hosted several years ago. As those funds dwindle we have to look at other methods to fund the club and it's activities. We all hope that this will be a positive change and that it will enable SARA to provide a better club for all members and the general public. The new fee structure will be:
Membership applications will be made available at the registration/RSO table at the January launch. Please join SARA and help to improve the club, the facilities, and to help SARA better serve the community. Posted 3/21/01 Posted link to Rocky Mountain Rocketry on the links pagePosted 3/19/01 February 2001 Launch ReportSARA held a waivered launch at the TIMPA field on February 24, 2001. The weather was good with a few clouds, temperatures warming up to the mid 50s, and wind mostly below 8 mph. There were a few holds for aircraft. 25 people took advantage of the nice conditions and made a total of 58 flights. The success rate for "clean" flights was up from previous launches: 46 of 48 (96%) of low and mid power flights, and 9 of 10 (90%) of high power flights. This is an average of 93% for successful flight by SARA launchers . . . very good! The failed flights consisted of 2 body/nosecone separations and 2 tangled recovery devices. Thomas Gonzalez made the most flights of the day with 7. Two launchers had 5 each, two other had 4 each, three had 3 each, seven had 2 each, and ten of our launchers got a single flight in. Special mention goes to Jerry King, the person who compiles all the launch statistics that you are reading here. He made NAR Level 2 certification with an EZI-65 on a J350 motor. Congratulations, Jerry! There was also a successful clustered 4 motor flight and one flight with electronic dual deployment. Below is a breakdown of the motor used during the launch . . .
Posted 4/27/01 Latest release information for Aerotech's Redline motorsThe newest release information from Aerotech says that the new reloads with Redline propellant will now be released the 3rd week of May instead of the beginning of May. Tiny microAlt altimeter is now available from PerfectFlite.This data logging dual-event deployment altimeter measures just 2.75" long by 0.8" wide and weighs only 0.7 oz with battery. The microAlt lets lower-powered model rockets employ the advanced electronic recovery and precise altitude determination capabilities of an altimeter -- benefits previously reserved for high power rocketry due to the size and expense of the electronics. The kit includes all parts and documentation and sells for just $44.95 Posted 4/23/01 Launch site cleanup successful despite high winds and hard starting tractorsThe site cleanup on the 21st was fairly successful. Brush was cleared from all the launch pads including the 100 ft and 200 ft pads. We were also able to get most of the surrounding area mowed thanks to a TIMPA volunteer who drove the large tractor with the mower attachment. Tony managed to somehow talk Ben into letting him drive the small lawn tractor to mow the areas close to the trees and pads. I can see where Ben might be talked into letting Tony drive the tractor but I am still trying to figure out how Tony got Ben to ride the tractor back over to the launch site from the TIMPA hanger with Tony driving. There were periods when we all feared for our lives as Tony (at least I think it was Tony, all I could see sitting on the tractor was a brown ball of dirt with two things that looked like they may be eyes) raced about, but we did all live to see another day. The Gentry's hauled the awning framework over to the launch site and it was erected near the east end of the field. The RSO and registration tables will reside under the awning at the future launches. Doug and several others (including me, it's easier to advise than participate) helped to supervise the removal of the tree at the east end of the flag stake line. New stakes were added to the east end of the flag line heading south to mark a boundary for parking. Posted 4/20/01 New web sites promised by Cesaroni Technology for Pro38 and Hypertek are upThe new web sites are up for Pro38 motors and Hypertek hybrids and have been added to the links list. Pro38 is an alternative to Aerotech for 38mm motors, including propellant and hardware. Hypertek hybrids are priced well especially for M class motors but the do require ground support equipment. Posted 4/17/01 We will be doing launch site cleanup on April 21st starting at 6:00AMSaturday, April 21st, we will be conducting a cleanup of our launch site at TIMPA. We will want to remove small brush and trees, and clean up any waste that is on the property. 6:00AM is the approximate start time and we will quit before the morning sun gets too high in the sky. Do we want your help? Yes! Especially if you have landscaping equipment! If you need any further information contact Tony Gonzales for details. March 2001 Launch ReportThe March launch report is now available Posted 4/13/01 The start time for SARA launches has been moved to 8:00AM-12:00PMAs we normally do this time of year, SARA has moved the start time for our launches to 8:00AM. April 12, 1981 is the 20th anniversary of the launch of the STS-1 mission.NASA has opened a web site dedicated to the space shuttle and it's history. On April 13, 1970, "Apollo 13," four-fifths of the way to the moon, was crippled when a tank containing liquid oxygen burst.Follow the link above to the summary for Apollo 13. Posted 4/12/01 General membership meeting held at the Woods Memorial Library on April 11th. Steve Lubliner elected as the new SARA Vice PresidentThe general membership meeting held at the Woods Memorial Library on April 11th was attended by 10 of the 24 existing SARA members. In addition to Steve Lubliner being elected as the new Vice President for SARA, many topics were discussed. They ranged from range and safety issues to outreach educational programs. Some of the main points of discussion were:
More information will be posted on these and other projects as it becomes available. Space Modeling Solutions will not be attending our April launch.Due to a conflict with an AHPRA launch in Phoenix SMS will not attend our April launch. Posted 4/6/01 Added graphs of launch statistics to the launch information page.Posted 4/3/01 There is a general membership meeting scheduled at the Woods Memorial Library for Wednesday, April 11, from 7 to 9 PM. The library is located at 3455 N. 1st Ave..The agenda will include:
Posted 5/23/01 May 2001 Launch ReportThe May launch report is now available I also updated the launch statistics through the May launch. Posted 5/22/01 Archived the April newsPosted the May SARA NewsletterPosted 5/03/01 April 2001 Launch ReportThe April launch report is now available. I have made new page for the launch reports. Links to the reports will be posted in the latest news instead of posting the complete report here. I also updated the launch statistics through the April launch. Posted 5/02/01 Added software section to links pageI have added a section for software on the links page. There is a mix of commercial, shareware and freeware listed. Added a certification section to the site.This section contains information about the certification process for Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 certification. There are also links to helpful information (BATF, NFPA, NAR) to assist with the certification process and the completion of the Level 2 examination. Posted 6/28/01 Posted the June SARA NewsletterFOUNDATION TO MATCH NAR WARCHEST CONTRIBUTIONS!The Liberty Haven Foundation, a philanthropic institution established to promote the exercise and appreciation of individual human rights and liberties, has offered a grant worth up to $3,000 to the National Association of Rocketry, to be applied towards litigation with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms. Full story here. NARAM registration form now availableNARAM is August 4-10 in Geneseo, NY. LDRS 20,000 foot waiver approved!The standard FAA Altitude Waiver already approved for LDRS 20 will be 8000 feet/2400 meters MSL (mean sea level), which is 5300 feet/1600 meters AGL (above ground level) is still in effect. They will have windows of time, or real-time call-in windows, for 20,000 feet/6100 meters MSL, which is 17,000 feet/5200 meters AGL Find out more on ROL Newswire and the LDRS XX web site. Hypertek & Accelerometer AnomaliesRecently, there have been reports of hybrid rocket recovery failures using a accelerometer based system. Hybrid motors can produce significant vibration during operation. It is theorized that the dynamic accelerations associated with these vibrations can be integrated by the accelerometer based recovery system. The magnitude of this condition can vary depending on the type of motor, vehicle mass and design as well as the flight profile. If this is in fact the case, an accelerometer-based device may not compute an apogee solution at the correct time. This could cause a late or no deploy situation. Find out more on ROL Newswire Posted 6/21/01 Added link to Yellowjacket Launch systems on the links page.You may want to check out some of the new products. They now have 3 different size launch pads and are developing multipad controllers. NAR and Tripoli have certified many of the Aerotech Redline rocket motorsYou can now launch Redline motors at NAR and Tripoli sponsored launches. That is, if you can actually find some to purchase with the oncoming rush. Posted 7/30/01 Online range duty signup formThere is now a new and improved online range duty signup form available for use as of the Aug. launch. You can now select as many one hour time slots as you wish. You can also see who has volunteered for what time slots at each launch to help you know when volunteers are needed. The job descriptions are also available for both the LCO and RSO positions. Posted new picture pagesPosted some pictures of some recent launches at the launch site and a picture of a real X-1 rocket motor thanks to Dave Williams who emailed me the pictures. They are available in the Photo Gallery. Posted 7/23/01 Online range duty signup formThere is now an online range duty signup form available for use as of the July launch. There are also job descriptions available for both the LCO and RSO positions. Posted 7/20/01 32nd anniversary of the moon walk20 years ago today is the day that Apollo 11 astronauts stepped on the moon in the Sea of Tranquility. 25th anniversary of the Viking spacecraft launchToday is the silver anniversary of the Viking spacecraft launch. Viking I arrived on Mars on June 19, 1976. Posted 7/16/01 32nd anniversary of the Apollo 11 launch20 years ago today is the day that Apollo 11 launched toward the moon to put the first human on another celestial body. Posted 7/11/01 Posted new picture pagesPosted some pictures of the SARA display at the Davis-Monthan air show and some recent photos of activities at the launch site. They are available in the Photo Gallery. Posted 7/10/01 Aerotech Issues Delay Grain RecallsAeroTech has determined that a chemical interaction takes place between the delay grain and the unbagged propellant grain(s) in these kits which can substantially shorten delay times. The actual amount appears to be a function of the amount of time that the reload kit has been sitting on the shelf and the ambient temperature during storage. Full story here. The PML 6” Lunar Express Is Back!Go to the Advanced 6” page of the PML webstore at www.publicmissiles.com to check it out. Posted 7/6/01 June 2001 Launch ReportThe June launch report is now available I also updated the launch statistics through the June launch. Posted 7/2/01 Archived the May newsAdded link to Fat Cat Rockets on the links page.Posted 9/25/01 Sept. launch cancelled due to FAA restrictions.The Sept. 23rd launch was cancelled due to FAA airspace restrictions from the recent terrorist attacks. The FAA suspended all operations governed under FAA part 101. While NAR seemed to think that rockets under 16 oz. in weight and 113 grams of propellent were alright to launch, the FAA said they did not want any rockets in the air. SARA decided to follow our fellow rocketeers in Phoenix and other parts of the country and cancel the launch. Posted 9/6/01 New on-line calendar availableThere is a calendar now available to quickly browse for any events that may be coming up for the remainder of the year. Posted 9/5/01 SARA General Membership Meeting will be held on Nov. 10 or Dec. 8 at 1PMThe remaining SARA general membership meeting for the year will be held on Nov. 10 or Dec. 8 at 1PM. Some of the topics to be shared/discussed will be the new range layout and launch equipment that has been planned; continuation of alternating Saturday and Sunday launch days; quarterly, bi-monthly or monthly waivers, and other topics. The board would love to have member input on these and other issues you may feel are important so please plan to attend. Without membership suggestions and feedback the SARA Board does not know what you want or what issues are important to you. If you cannot attend contact a board member or someone who will attend to get your thoughts, issues, opinions to us. The location is yet to be determined. The location will determine if we are able to have food and/or other activities. Updates will be posted ASAP. On-line SurveyThere is an on-line survey form available to give SARA feedback on current launch activities and to help us plan for the coming year. It contains two questions and should not take more than one or two minutes to complete. Dates of SARA board meetings changedSARA board meeting have been moved from the first Tuesday of every month to the first Thursday of the month until further notice. The new date will be in effect for the October meeting. Posted 9/4/01 August 2001 Launch ReportThe August launch report is now available I also updated the launch statistics through the August launch. Posted 10/29/01 New launch site layout is almost complete. There will be a work session on Nov.10The new launch site layout is almost complete. We will be having a work session on Nov. 10 from 7:00AM-11:00AM to finish installing the new barriers and clearing the new areas of brush where the pads are located. The plan is to have the new layout completed and the new launch pads, of which construction is just about finished, so that they will be in use for the Nov. launch. The new site layout will now face west. This should alleviate some of the problems of having to look into the sun that occur with the current layout where we look to the south. Anyone interested in helping should bring rakes, hoes or other equipment to clear the brush. Any participation is welcomed and encouraged. Aerotech thinks they may be manufacturing rocket motors again in a couple of monthsI think this may be a little optimistic but it is good new none the less. Apparently they were fully insured and had business continuation insurance due to some of their federal contracts. I'm sure we all look forward to their speed return to production. Space Modeling Solutions will soon be carrying restricted access motorsPete Riddell announced at our Oct. launch the he is set to begin offering restricted access rocket motors. This will open up the use of many of the 54mm motors by our members and others who launch at our facility who do not possess a LEUP (Low Explosives Users Permit). Federal law allows for transfer of restricted motors from a vendor licensed in your state to a user who does not posses a permit as long as the motor is used on site and will not require storage. That means use it the day you buy it. Of course we still need to stay within our waiver of 4500 ft. AGL. Posted 10/23/01 Rocketry stuff for sale at this weekends launchJohn Hunnicutt has asked us to make it known that the following items for sale at the launch this weekend. PML CPR3000 For 3.9 Tube. $80.00 PML CO-PILOT ALTIMETER Main Deployment At 800, 600, 400 & 200 feet. $95.00 PML ULTIMATE ENDEAVOUR ROCKET Missing Payload Body Tube. Has Extra Centering Rings and Couplers. $200.00 YELLOWJACKET LAUNCH PAD Comes with Blast Plate and Retainers for ¼", 3/8" and ½" Launch Rods. NO Launch Rods Included. $225.00 SURE FIRE II Launch Controller Only Been Used Once! Plus Extra's are included. $60.00
AeroTech Inc. Benefit FundA benefit fund was established Wednesday October 17th to help out the AeroTech employees impacted by the fire on Monday. Those wishing to send donations may make checks payable to:
All money received will go to those impacted by the fire. The account will be managed by Brent McNeely (RocketeerMedia) after consultation with AeroTech. Aerotech vows to restart motor production after fireMany of you have received email about the fire and explosion at Aerotech on Oct. 15th. Since that time, Aerotech has an official press release on the matter. They have also issued a statement about restarting motor production. Posted 10/11/01 First manned Apollo mission, was launched on Oct. 11, 1968On Oct. 11, 1968, Apollo 7, the first manned Apollo mission, was launched with astronauts Wally Schirra, Donn Fulton Eisele and R. Walter Cunningham aboard. Get more info about Apollo 7 from NASA G. Harry Stine Memorial 2001 launch on Oct. 13 and 14SSS is holding their annual G. Harry Stine memorial launch on October 13 and 14. There will be a star gazing session on Oct. 12 at the range with launches beginning on the 13th at 8AM. There will be a night launch Saturday night and the range is open until 9PM. Launches begin on Sunday at 8AM and the range closes at 3PM. Archived NewsThe news from July and August was archived. SARA General Membership Meeting will be held on Dec. 8 at 1PMThe remaining SARA general membership meeting for the year will be held on Dec. 8 at 1PM. Elections of new SARA officers for the year 2002 will be held. Some of the other topics to be shared/discussed will be the new range layout and launch equipment that has been planned; continuation of alternating Saturday and Sunday launch days; quarterly, bi-monthly or monthly waivers, and other topics. The board would love to have member input on these and other issues you may feel are important so please plan to attend. Without membership suggestions and feedback the SARA Board does not know what you want or what issues are important to you. If you cannot attend contact a board member or someone who will attend to get your thoughts, issues, opinions to us. The location will be at Woods Memorial Library on 1st Avenue. Launch schedule for next yearThe following is the SARA launch calendar for 2002:
Posted 10/04/01 October 4th is the anniversary of SputnickOn October 4, 1957 the Russians launched Sputnick, the first man-made satellite, into orbit marking the beginning of the space race. RocketSilo and Orbital Dynamics out of businessIn the last month both RocketSilo and Orbital Dynamics have gone out of business. Let's hope the trend doesn't continue. Posted 11/29/01 November 2001 Launch ReportThe November launch report is now available I also updated the launch statistics through the November launch. Archived NewsThe news from September was archived. Posted 11/21/01 Added links on the links page for the following vendorsBinder Design, Blackhawk R&D, Night Launch, Precision G10 Apogee Components is now shipping their 1/70th scale Saturn V rocket kitStanding over 5 feet tall and 5.67 inches in diameter, this is the largest flying model rocket kit of the Saturn V moon rocket in the world. RocketSilo lives againThe Gates Brothers have announced that they recently purchased the rights to the RocketSilo name and website. "We intend to make RocketSilo even better than before. It will carry more product and have an even better web presence." Posted 11/2/01 October 2001 Launch ReportThe October launch report is now available I also updated the launch statistics through the October launch.
Posted 11/1/01 SSS wins bid for NSL in May of 2002The Superstition Spacemodeling Society has won the bid to host the annual National Sport Launch (NSL) for 2002. The launch will be held over the Memorial Day weekend at the end of May 2002. AeroTech employee involved in the fire has diedAvelino Corpuz, one of the AeroTech employees
involved in the fire has died. Those wishing to send donations to help those
impacted by the AeroTech fire may make checks payable to: Posted 12/9/01 New officers elected at Dec. 8 General MeetingThe newly elected SARA officers for 2002 are as follows:
Tony Gonzales has agreed to continue on as head of the Range Operations Committee and Jerry King has agreed to continue on as Senior Section Advisor. Two committee chairs are vacant at this time. They are the Training/Safety Committee and the Communications Committee. Hopefully these positions will be appointed at the SARA Board meeting in January.
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