The Civilian Space eXploration Team has launched the first amateur rocket to reach space. Their GoFast rocket reached 100km altitude in a flight that lasted fifteen minutes.
For some reason, I can’t find mention of the event on the group’s website. Bummer.
This stuff is so cool. I’d love to find a local club and participate. Space is now on the verge of being accessible to everyone.
I sent a link to Suzzanne. When I was a child, I kept a scrap book of all the space launches. A good personal satelite would solve the antenna height problem!
The local groups all go out to Whitakers, NC to launch high power rockets. Here’s a few websites about it.
There’s also the nc-rockets mailing list at employees.org (a majordomo list, iirc).
I’ve been out to one of the launches and it’s pretty cool. They tried to do an “M” engine rocket, but the motor got loose from the mount and knocked the top off then went spinning around everywhere.
I actually bought 2 medium to high power rockets when I went and still need to put them together. Interested in helping me out with constructing them then going out and launching them? O:-)
Sounds cool, Tanner! I’d heard of the Whitaker launch site but never gotten around to going there for a launch. Thanks for the links!
I’ll have to make some time for that rocket construction, but it sounds fun!
There are a number of amateur radio satellites currently orbiting in low-earth orbits. Suzzanne could probably hit one or two with her handheld at the lake. Check out AMSAT to learn more. Cool stuff!
Whenever I fly on the weekends, which won’t be in the future until I get a new job, I always get the temporary flight restrictions due to the rocket launches. Just thought I’d mention it.
-Greg