2002 News Archive

Posted 1/22/02

It's January so last years memberships have expired

All SARA memberships expire at the end of December every year. Memberships are prorated on a quarterly basis if they are not obtained in the first quarter of the year. This allows SARA to have all memberships expire on December 31 which helps to meet two primary goals. This first being that SARA will receive the bulk of club funds at the beginning of the year so that we may create a budget. The second being that it requires less time and effort to track memberships. Please renew your membership at the launch on Jan. 27th so that SARA will be able to improve your flying field and support other projects in the community.

Posted January 2002 SARA News

The January SARA News is now on the website.

Updated the 2002 Calanders

Added the SSS launch dates in Phoenix as well as the NAR NSL and G. Harry Stine launches.

Posted 1/3/02

Archived News

The news from October was archived.

Posted 2/25/02

Team America High School Rocketry Challenge

The National Association of Rocketry (NAR) and the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) are sponsoring a rocketry design challenge for US high school student teams as part of the Centennial of Flight celebration in 2003. The top five student teams will receive shares of a total prize pool of approximately $50,000 in savings bonds, and the total prize pool for the winners' sponsoring schools is approximately $9,000 in cash. If you know of anyone who might want to participate please contact Steve Lubliner or Jerry King. Direct link to the NAR web page for more info here.

Archived News

The news from November and December was archived.

Posted 2/22/02

Feb. waiver has been issued

We have a waiver for the launch this weekend. The FAA faxed it this afternoon to Tony Gonzales. Thanks to Tony for all his hard work at procuring the waiver even though the bureaucracy at the FAA was not working at peak efficiency.

Feb. waiver has not yet been issued

We do not have a waiver for the launch this weekend. The FAA also did not issue a waiver for AHPRA in Phoenix for this weekend. We are looking into the situation and will hopefully have it resolved for the next waivered launch in May.

Posted 2/4/02

Posted yearly launch summary

The launch summary for the year 2001 is available here.

January 2002 launch report

The January launch report is now available

I also updated the launch statistics through the January launch.

Posted 3/26/02

Archived News

The news from January was archived.

Posted March 2002 SARA News

The March SARA News is now on the website.

Posted 3/25/02

Launch times change next month

Keeping with our usual policy of starting the launches earlier when the weather warms up, the next launch on April 27 will begin at 8:00 AM and end at 12:00 PM.

AeroTech Files Suit Against Clark County Fire Department

Apparently Aerotech has been forced to file a lawsuit against the county to defend itself. Aerotech asserts that the initial fire was extinguished and the second fire was caused by the fire department. There have been admissions of document shredding by the county fire chief. Full story here on ROL.

Posted 3/5/02

NAR and Tripoli file an injunction against the BATF

On Wednesday, February 27, 2002, the NAR and TRA filed a motion for a preliminary injunction against BATF. The BATF has apparently tried to enforce their regulation on previously excluded motors known as "Easy Access". They are attempting to require storage and record keeping requirements for motors as low as G impulse. This could mean that everyone flying G impulse and above would have to obtain a low explosives users permit (LEUP). This is an important topic for anyone who is flying or is planning to fly any rockets with G motors and above. For more info see this NAR webpage.

Posted 3/1/02

Homer Hickman , author of "Rocket Boys", will be in Phoenix March 4th.

Homer Hickman , author of "Rocket Boys", will be at the Borders Books at 7320 West Bell Road on Monday March 4 at 7:00PM. He will be signing his new book "We Are Not Afraid".

February 2002 launch report

The February launch report is now available

I also updated the launch statistics through the February launch.

Posted 4/8/02

March 2002 launch report

The March launch report is now available

I also updated the launch statistics through the March launch.

Posted 5/23/02

Injunction against the BATF fails

Judge Walton ruled in federal court not to grant the injunction filed by the NAR and Tripoli. He said that the NAR and Tripoli appeared to be correct on the matters of law and were probably being over regulated by ATF apparently beyond its statutory authority but that he did not believe that the harm was sufficiently great, especially in the near time frame that this case will be decided on the merits. The entire story is on ROL and should be posted soon to NAR's website.

SARA will now be having waivered launches every month

At the May board meeting SARA's board received word that our waivers can be in effect for every launch. The board decided to offer waivered launches every month. From the June launch forward all launches will be waivered unless noted otherwise.

Club tee shirts and a banner are in the works

Club tee shirts are in the process of being designed and the manufacturing specifics are being worked out. Costs will be announced shortly. If any one has any desire to provide any assistance or input into the process please contact me as soon as possible. Curtis Farrell has also volunteered to head up the design for a club banner. The finished product should be approximately 2 feet by 6 feet and incorporate a club graphic and text about SARA and our section number. If any one wishes to assist or give any input into this process contact Curtis.

NSL is this Memorial Weekend in Phoenix

SSS is hosting the NAR's National Sport Launch this weekend. If any of you make it up look for my (Mark Koenig) motorhome. It is a 30ft. green and white Winnebago on a class C Ford chassis with a matching green and white awning.

Posted 5/16/02

Cesaroni certification of new motors

Following successful certification of some new Pro38 motors in the US, Cesaroni is currently certifying Pro75 and Pro98 motors in Canada. Hopefully US availability won't be far behind. In addition they are also developing Pro54 and Pro150 (O class motors). Check out www.pro38.com

Posted 5/9/02

April 2002 launch report

The April launch report is now available

I also updated the launch statistics through the April launch.

Posted 6/17/02

Posted June 2002 SARA News

The June SARA News is now on the website.

Posted 6/3/02

May 2002 launch report

The May launch report is now available

I also updated the launch statistics through the May launch.

Posted 7/18/02

SMS will still be at TIMPA this Sunday

Pete from Space Modeling Solutions has said that he will still be at the launch site this weekend to deliver orders. If you need anything let him know and he can bring it down. He will be parking at the hanger at the main TIMPA entrance.

Archived News

The news from February, March, April and May was archived.

Posted 7/17/02

July launch has been cancelled

I drove out to the launch site yesterday evening to check the conditions so that a final decision could be made about this weekends launch. After surveying the site and receiving information from the caretakers about recent weather conditions we have decided to cancel the launch. The caretakers informed us that there has been no rain at the site despite heavy storm activity in the area in the last few weeks. In addition to the dry conditions, there is now no access to the launch site. The city contracted with a fence company to fence all the city property in the area. When the fence company fenced the section of land to the north of our site they cut off all access to the launch field. I assume they were not told that we used the road to the north of the old fence on the north boundary of TIMPA. City officials are being contacted to see what resolutions there may be to this problem

SARA build session this Saturday at the Pima Air and Space Museum

Even if our launch is cancelled for this month, SARA is sponsoring a special event that is of interest. Between the hours of 10AM to 3PM on Saturday July 20, SARA volunteers will be on hand at The Pima Air & Space Museum to assist youth between the ages of 7 and 12 assemble a model rocket. A large air conditioned classroom at The Challenger Learning Center is being provided. Rocket kits are donated by Classic Hobbies through an arrangement with The Estes Corporation.

We held an event like this last Summer and it was a great success. Almost 100 models were assembled August 11, 2001. The local press agencies gave us newspaper, radio, and television coverage leading into and following the event. The Museum had exceptionally good attendance that day. Needless to say, we decided then that we would do another one this Summer. This year, we were able to schedule it on July 20th . . . the anniversary of the 1969 Apollo 11 lunar landing.

We currently have around 6 volunteers scheduled for this year's event but we can certainly use more help. Even if you don't want to "get your fingernails dirty" doing the building we still have things that you can do to help us. For instance, you can help at our display table by dispensing SARA brochures. Or . . . do you have a nice model that you would like to display at The Museum that afternoon?

If you can assist us in any way please don't hesitate to contact me. I will need to know your availability this week or as soon as possible.

Thanks!

Benjamin Nead, SARA Membership Director/ Vice President

33nd anniversary of the Apollo 11 launch and moon walk

33 years ago on July 16th Apollo 11 was launched for the moon. July 20th is the day that Apollo 11 astronauts stepped on the moon in the Sea of Tranquility.

NASA Apollo 11 Info

26th anniversary of the Viking spacecraft launch

July 20th is the 26th anniversary of the Viking spacecraft launch. Viking I arrived on Mars on June 19, 1976.

NASA Viking Info

Posted 7/8/02

July launch may be cancelled

Due to the extreme fire conditions in the Tucson area, the July launch may have to be cancelled. Almost all public lands throughout the state are either closed or severely restricted due to the current dry conditions. All July 4th fireworks have been cancelled in Tucson. I have also heard that all rocket launching in Colorado has been prohibited. Unless we get a substantial amount of rain in the next couple of weeks we will cancel the launch. Keep checking back for the current status of the launch.

Posted July 2002 SARA News

The July SARA News is now on the website.

Judge rules most of ATF lawsuit has merit

On June 24, 2002, Judge Reggie B. Walton, Federal District Court for the District of Columbia, denied nearly all of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (BATF) motion to dismiss the civil lawsuit brought by the NAR and the Tripoli Rocketry Association (TRA) against BATF. Full story on NAR's website.

New motor company has motors certified

Animal Motor Works has had the following motors TMT certified:

J500-20A Standard 38-650 (Adjustable Delay)
K470-P Standard 75-1700
L1111-P Standard 75-3500
M1850-P Green Gorilla 75-6000
M3000-P Standard 75-7600

They will be producing 9 propellant types in 7 colors ranging in size from 38mm to 150mm. More info is ROL.

Posted 9/24/02

G. Harry Stine Memorial 2002 launch on Oct. 12 and 13

SSS is holding their annual G. Harry Stine memorial launch on October 12 and 13. The range opens Sat. the 12th at 8AM. There will be a night launch Saturday night and the range is open until 9PM. There will be live entertainment after the range closes at 9PM. Launches begin on Sunday at 8AM and the range closes at 3PM.

Posted 9/11/02

Posted the September 2002 SARA News

The September SARA News is now on the website.

Posted 9/11/02

August 2002 launch report

The August launch report is now available

I also updated the launch statistics through the August launch.

Posted 10/17/02

Launch times have changed to the cool weather schedule

Launches will now be held from 9AM-1PM until next April.

Posted the October 2002 SARA News

The October SARA News is now on the website.

Posted 10/14/02

September 2002 launch report

The September launch report is now available

I also updated the launch statistics through the September launch.

Posted 11/25/02

Board Elections will be held at the December launch

Nominations for the Board positions of President, Vice President, Secretary/Treasurer and Member at Large were held at the November launch. The current nominees are as follows:

Nominations will be accepted until the vote is taken at the December launch. If you wish to nominate yourself or someone else the only requirements to serve on the Board are you must be a senior NAR member and a member of SARA.

Memberships will run out after the December launch

Your current SARA membership will expire after the December launch. Applications are available at every launch to renew or become a new member. Please become a member of SARA for the coming year. The funds collected are used to fund the range operations and many other activities.  Remember, the range fees we charge are paid to TIMPA for use of the field. SARA does not get to make use of the funds. The only revenue SARA has are the annual membership dues. Please help us continue to improve the launch site and fund the other community and educational activities such as the summer build session for kids.

Posted 11/7/02

October 2002 launch report

The October launch report is now available

I also updated the launch statistics through the October launch.

Posted 12/17/02

January launch will most likely have no waiver

Due to the change of dates for the January launch the FAA will probably not grant a waiver for the January launch. They require a longer lead time to process the waivers than we can provide. We were notified on December 5th that the launch date on January 19th was in conflict with the war bird contest (see news posted on Dec. 13). We will most likely have an FAA notification launch the will limit rockets to 3.3 lbs (1500 g) and 4.4 oz (125 g) of propellant . Any further news will be posted here as soon as possible.

It's almost January so this years memberships will expire soon

All SARA memberships expire at the end of December every year. Memberships are prorated on a quarterly basis if they are not obtained in the first quarter of the year. This allows SARA to have all memberships expire on December 31 which helps to meet two primary goals. This first being that SARA will receive the bulk of club funds at the beginning of the year so that we may create a budget. The second being that it requires less time and effort to track memberships. Please renew your membership at the launch on Jan. 26th. In addition to you being able to save money by paying lower range fees, SARA will be able to improve your flying field and continue to support other projects in the community.

Board Elections held at the December launch

The election for the Board positions of President, Vice President, Secretary/Treasurer and Member at Large were held at the December launch. The new officers for 2003 are as follows:

Updated the calendar

The 2003 calendar was added to the websites calendar application.

Posted 12/13/02

Don't forget! Board elections at the launch this weekend

January launch date moved to new date

The January launch scheduled for the 19th has been moved to January 26th. This was necessary due to the fact the field will be in use for another event on that date. The Tucson Warbird Association has a warbird race scheduled on that weekend. These planes fly further out than normal flights at speeds up to 150 mph. The AMA insurance requires that no persons be on the field beyond the flight line. This would make recovery of rockets impossible.

Posted the December 2002 SARA News

The December SARA News is now on the website.

Posted 12/2/02

November 2002 launch report

The November launch report is now available

I also updated the launch statistics through the November launch.

Sara's Latest News

updated 1/24/08

Desert Heat 2008

Next Launch
July 20

2008 Launch Schedule