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Where to launch model rocket?

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Nimbus Couzin

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Where to launch model rocket?

by Nimbus Couzin » Sat May 31, 2014 11:25 pm

Any ideas for where we can go to safely launch a model rocket? Basically, need a large field, ideally with no trees and no large roadways nearby.
-Thanks for any ideas!
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Gary Guss

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Re: Where to launch model rocket?

by Gary Guss » Sat May 31, 2014 11:39 pm

Tom Sawyer Park.. maybe from the Model airplane field anyway lots of open flat space
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Re: Where to launch model rocket?

by Jay M. » Sun Jun 01, 2014 12:06 pm

Gary's idea was my first thought. You might consider Creason Park in the flat area near the intersection of Newburg Road and Trevilian.
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Re: Where to launch model rocket?

by Steve P » Sun Jun 01, 2014 12:17 pm

Nimbus Couzin wrote:Any ideas for where we can go to safely launch a model rocket? Basically, need a large field, ideally with no trees and no large roadways nearby.
-Thanks for any ideas!


Dude...you need to get out of the city more often.
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Re: Where to launch model rocket?

by Robin Garr » Sun Jun 01, 2014 1:00 pm

Do you hope to retrieve the rocket, or will it destruct as part of the operation? If the latter, Cox Park on Upper River Road might work, r the water company's park out in Prospect: Shoot out over the Ohio.
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Re: Where to launch model rocket?

by Carla G » Mon Jun 02, 2014 2:59 pm

I believe U of L has a rocket club. You might check with them and see where they recommend.
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Re: Where to launch model rocket?

by Steve P » Mon Jun 02, 2014 8:38 pm

Back in "the day" (defined as before parents had to monitor your every move and/or the creation of PETA) one of the guys in the old neighborhood built something similar to this Estes "X-Ray"...We tried to launch my buddies kid sister's hamster into "orbit" but had a major launching pad conflagration (likely due an issue with weight to thrust ratio...something they didn't teach us in 6th grade math). Unfortunately the hamster didn't make it. We were MUCH more successful using small toads...although none of them survived their respective missions either. 8)

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Re: Where to launch model rocket?

by Bill P » Tue Jun 03, 2014 7:37 am

Steve P wrote:Back in "the day" (defined as before parents had to monitor your every move and/or the creation of PETA) one of the guys in the old neighborhood built something similar to this Estes "X-Ray"...We tried to launch my buddies kid sister's hamster into "orbit" but had a major launching pad conflagration (likely due an issue with weight to thrust ratio...something they didn't teach us in 6th grade math). Unfortunately the hamster didn't make it. We were MUCH more successful using small toads...although none of them survived their respective missions either. 8)



Bet you still have nightmares involving toads and hamsters.
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Nimbus Couzin

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Re: Where to launch model rocket?

by Nimbus Couzin » Wed Jun 04, 2014 10:10 pm

Steve P wrote:
Nimbus Couzin wrote:Any ideas for where we can go to safely launch a model rocket? Basically, need a large field, ideally with no trees and no large roadways nearby.
-Thanks for any ideas!


Dude...you need to get out of the city more often.


Agreed
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Re: Where to launch model rocket?

by Nimbus Couzin » Wed Jun 04, 2014 10:11 pm

Robin Garr wrote:Do you hope to retrieve the rocket, or will it destruct as part of the operation? If the latter, Cox Park on Upper River Road might work, r the water company's park out in Prospect: Shoot out over the Ohio.


Yeah, it has a parachute, which is why I don't want it ending up in a tree. (or a river :) )
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Re: Where to launch model rocket?

by Nimbus Couzin » Wed Jun 04, 2014 10:13 pm

Carla G wrote:I believe U of L has a rocket club. You might check with them and see where they recommend.


They do. I had forgotten about them. Tom Sounds like the best bet so far. Joe Creason is more convenient, but with wind I worry about the trees all over. These things go high!
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Re: Where to launch model rocket?

by John S » Fri Jun 06, 2014 7:40 am

I recall launching a model rocket in McNeely Lake Park around 15 years ago. The wind was fairly calm that day and it seemed like a big enough area for the launch. While there was little wind at ground level, I hadn't considered the winds a few hundred feet up. The parachute caught the wind and the rocket blew far away. I never found it. That was the end of my rocket-launching career.

With that said, I learned a few lessons. Perhaps a streamer would be better than a parachute for guiding the rocket back to the ground when you don't have an enormous open area. Or maybe using an engine that has a several second delay between the thrust stage and the stage the ejects the parachute would be good.
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Re: Where to launch model rocket?

by BevP » Sat Jun 07, 2014 7:59 am

John S wrote:I recall launching a model rocket in McNeely Lake Park around 15 years ago. The wind was fairly calm that day and it seemed like a big enough area for the launch. While there was little wind at ground level, I hadn't considered the winds a few hundred feet up. The parachute caught the wind and the rocket blew far away. I never found it. That was the end of my rocket-launching career.

With that said, I learned a few lessons. Perhaps a streamer would be better than a parachute for guiding the rocket back to the ground when you don't have an enormous open area. Or maybe using an engine that has a several second delay between the thrust stage and the stage the ejects the parachute would be good.

McNeely was always where my hubby would go to do his launches, well there or our church and since we don't go there anymore I cant recommend them as a launch site. I used to hear so many stories of "The egg-go -up" hubby and his brother trying to successfully launch an egg and bring it safely back to earth...nice memories since we lost his brother in Jan.

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