Rocketry

I’m an avid model, mid-, and high-power rocketry enthusiast. I’m a member of the National Association of Rocketry, through which I hold Level 2 high power certification (which means I’m allowed to buy up through L class motors).

For those who haven’t already been bitten by the rocket bug, here’s a brief intro. Model rocketry is what you probably did as a kid- buying kits at Wal-Mart or in an Estes catalog that use A, B, and C motors. Model rockets can be very simple (or very complex) and are exremely safe. They’re a great activity for kids and parents to do together–my dad always supported me in my rocketry pursuits. It’s also an excellent way to get kids interested in science–in fact, that’s what sucked me in.

Mid-power (E through G motors) and High power (H and higher) are significantly more powerful. The rockets one can launch with these motors tend to be larger, fly higher, and carry more complicated payloads. To fly H and higher motors an individual must earn certification through one of two national rocketry associations.

My Level 1 flight was done with my 2.6″ diameter Sandhawk, a scale model of a sounding rocket. I used an Aerotech H168 Redline motor for a perfect flight to several thousand feet.

The large rocket below was built during the summer of 2006 as part of my research job. It’s 5.5″ in diameter and about 8 feet tall, and is designed to fly on J and K motors, carrying a spectrometer attached to a flight computer to perform in-flight spectroscopy measurements on the rocket exhaust plume. Now that’s real rocket science.

And above is my Level 2 flight, which used an Aerotech J350 White Lightning in Cheaper Than a Girlfriend, which is 4″ in diameter and about 6 feet tall.