This page was last updated: May 7, 2008
Visitors since Jan 2004:
Courtesy of Chris Taylor
Payload Build Session Report
Sunday, March 30th at the Wayland Fire Dept, Smash hosted a build session for up coming NARAM event Payload Altitude. These were minimum diameter rockets designed to carry a 28 gram contest certified payload for maximum altitude.
Our first section launch is coming up April 12th. We welcome anyone that wants to fly with us to join in on the fun.
Rockford TARC team will go to finals
It was a cold Sunday afternoon in Rockford Michigan as the TARC team made their first official flight. It was simply amazing to see the model streak skyward it actually looked a little short of the 750' goal but looks were deceiving as the model beeped back the altitude achieved ......7 ....5 ..3 only 3 feet off their goal of 750. The duration time was excellent too at 48.39 seconds, 45 was the goal.
The difference in the time is doubled for a score of 6.78 and a 3 foot difference in altitude will leave the team with an outstanding score of 9.78. That was good enough to make the trip to The Plains, Virginia for the finalist fly offs on May 17th.
753 feet, 48.39 seconds
GR Catholic Central builds TARC Model
TARC teams in the Grand Rapids area are rushing to finish models and fly to prove themselves the best in the country. Fly off flights need to be complete by mid April.
First Sport Launch of 2008 held in a new location
The township of Prairieville does not recognize rocketry as an activity that is approved to use the land know as the Michigan Farmers Hall of Fame. SMASH will partner with the Aukerman’s to present rocketry as an approved activity on the grounds. Although no challenges are expected with getting approval SMASH will be prepared to make a presentation to the township board in May.
Saturday Launch Report: The weather was less than desirable with light rain, high about 40 and winds at 10 MPH from the North. There were a lot of puddles all over the place. At least Daisy had fun in the water.
6 showed to launch about 20 flights. Mr Kurt Meyer showed with 2 of his students. They had a great time flying.
The next launch will be held on this site in Hudsonville just south of the 32nd Ave exit at Quincy Road. The launch will begin about 1pm on Saturday, April 26.
An FAR101 will be filed allowing for rockets up to 3.3 pounds and no more than 125 grams of propellant. The field can only handle flights up to 2000 feet.
Training on how to use trackers to determine altitude of a rocket will take place with this launch. Be sure to check here for official launch status due to weather conditions prior to the launch.
Possible new launch site in Muskegon
Thanks to efforts by Dave Gilmore SMASH may soon have an additional launch site in Muskegon, Michigan. A presentation to the waste water commission for permission to use the space will be made in May. This site will be in addition to the other 4 sites we have secured for rocket launching.
Sunday launch Report: Sunday's weather was absolutely fantastic for the five of us, Dave, Pam, Tom , Ryan, and Matt. It wasn't too cold or windy. We also had about 20 flights. Pam's rocket from the Rambo build, which only weighs two ounces, flew on a c6-7 with a 17 inch chute and drifted past Quincy St. into the parking lot of an adjacent building. We thought it was going to land on the roof but we got lucky. We flew mostly 18mm including Tom's composite which Matt took interest in. He even flew some micro rockets, but the real thrill of the day was Tom's 'Gangsta'on an E9-6. The rocket weighs 3/4 of a pound and weather-cocked to about 800 ft. It nicely deployed at 300ft, but gave us a scare because it landed just west of 32nd Avenue, by 100 ft! We know now that it needs a shorter delay. We had no crashes or failures and everyone seemed to have a lot of fun. The field is easy to use no matter which way the wind is blowing. We were at the center of the north end. We liked having the nearby gas station for restrooms, snacks, and the Subway restaurant. Let's hope the weather is better on the 26th! Looking forward to flying with all of you.
Sport Launch May 4th
SMASH will fly Sunday, May 4th starting at 1pm. The launch site may be found in Hudsonville off of the 32nd Ave exit of I-196. due to the size of the field the altitude limit of 2000 feet will be in place. An FAR101 will be filed to allow flights with up to 125 grams of propellant and rockets up to 3.3 pounds. Check back here for a launch status and changes prior to leaving for the site.
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Lake Michigan Academy TARC Team
This team had a lot of fun participating in TARC. They cannot wait to try again next year.
Phil Manning, teacher, may need to take a break from rocketry for a while, or is he listening to the altimeter beeping?
Sport Launch Report - April 27
Above Kyle Ritsema launches a rocket. Randy Boadway's 2 stage glider in flight, the second picture is after the 2nd stage takes off. The Estes Out House takes off! Below: Matt's model fired on 3 motors and his new rocket hauling box.
Interesting Facts:
the shuttles SRB's produce about 2.5 million lbs of thrust for 123 seconds. So they would be an AD-11,100,000-P each.
How big is our planet
Weather Report:
Sunny High 59
WSW winds 10 MPH
Be sure to apply sun screen
Sport Launch Report - May 4th
We had a great time at Sunday's Sport Launch. Lots of new people and spectators came to watch. The field was a little damp due to heavy rain but that didn't stop anyone from flying and retrieving their rockets.
Christina Graham launched her very first rocket right down to pressing the launch button at the age of 3
Matt Johnson flew a composite motor for the very first time. and with the big rockets he builds, they need every Newton of thrust you can give them. welcome to mid-power Matt.
Christina making final preps to her first rocket
Matt Johnson's first composite motor
Christina making the first launch of the day with her very first rocket
