Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Record-Breaking Model Rocket Launch Set For April 25

Posted by timothy on from the mx-missile-would-have-been-more-exciting dept.

darkjohnson writes with this impressive excerpt from Rocketry Planet: "On April 25, 2009, history will be made. At Higgs Farm in Price, Maryland, Steve Eves will enter the history books as the person who flew the largest model rocket in history. The rocket will weigh over 1,600 pounds, it will stand over 36 feet tall and it will be powered by a massive array of nine motors: eight 13,000ns N-Class motors and a 77,000ns P-Class motor."

12 of 156 comments (clear)

  1. So..... by cortesoft · · Score: 5, Interesting

    When exactly does a model rocket become just a rocket?

    1. Re:So..... by 644bd346996 · · Score: 4, Interesting

      The FAA probably already knows about this rocket. I've been to a few launches with a local rocketry club, and they always get FAA clearance. My understanding is that they have a permanent clearance for their launch site for the first few thousand feet, but when they're launching the high-power rockets, they get unlimited clearance, making the area essentially a no-fly zone for planes. (Although that clearly didn't stop the Predator drone that was hanging out above us one day.)

    2. Re:So..... by notthepainter · · Score: 5, Interesting

      I was talking with a friend about 5-10 years back and the FAA had recently pulled all approvals for model rocket launches. Being the resourceful group that model rocketeers are, they found some connections and got all set to launch from some Navy proving grounds. FAA got wind of that and got all huffy and said "no no no boys."

      And then the Navy got all huffy at the FAA, "You talking to me?"

      Must have been a fun few meetings!

    3. Re:So..... by gringofrijolero · · Score: 3, Interesting

      Well, in theory the civilian FAA should have more authority over domestic airspace in peacetime. And until a formal declaration of war is in effect, we are at "peace". The FAA decides what airspace is restricted, not the military.

      --
      Todos mis movimientos están friamente calculados
    4. Re:So..... by gringofrijolero · · Score: 3, Interesting

      No sir. The FAA sets those areas at the request of the military. If it came down to a real legal turf war, the FAA must have the ultimate authority. Otherwise we are under military rule. As far as I know the US is not...yet.

      --
      Todos mis movimientos están friamente calculados
    5. Re:So..... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

      You are only working with theory.

      The FAA has no authority over MILITARY AIR SPACE.

      You also seem to confuse "the parts of the government that regulate civilian activities" with "government representatives elected by civilians".

      The only ones that can tell the navy what to do in their airspace are the navy itself, and the President of the United States.

      And possibly Space Command.

  2. Model Rocket by Jared555 · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I thought model rockets were just when you were following a kit and/or exact instructions..... I would think this would just fall under amateur rocketry....

    From wikipedia:

    A model rocket is a small rocket capable of being launched by anybody, to generally low altitudes (usually to around 100-500 m (300-1500 ft) for a 30 g (1 oz.) model) and recovered by a variety of means.

    According to the National Association of Rocketry, (NAR) Safety Code[1], model rockets are constructed of paper, wood, plastic and other lightweight materials.

  3. A "model" rocket? by sphealey · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I have a hard time seeing how something larger and more powerful than most of Goddard's devices can be called a "model". Amateur-built, sure. But not a "model".

    sPh

  4. High Powered Model Rocketry by wdhowellsr · · Score: 3, Interesting

    This is not a new process just the biggest yet. There have been FAA clearance to 50k feet out west. The difference between a NASA or Military Rocket and a Model Rocket is one costs billions of dollars and has fail rate of thirty percent. A model rocket cost less than fifty thousand and has a fail rate of fifty percent.

    William D Howell Sr.

  5. Top Gear by garlicbready · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I'm reminded of the TopGear episode
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_b4WzWFKQ20

    where they launch a Reliant Robin (old 3 wheel car) as a re-usable space shuttle on the back of one of these things
    I wonder how the size compares?

  6. Google for "MudRock" by FlyingGuy · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Every year they launch from BLM land on the Blackrock dessert. On two days the have FAA clearance to 100,000' MSL

    Last year the highest rocket hit 31,000' MSL and hit just pver mach 3. The motor had a burn time of just a little under 4 seconds.

    And yes the FAA issues NOTAM's ( Notice to airman ) with the appropriate lat and long for the launch area.

    --
    Hey KID! Yeah you, get the fuck off my lawn!
  7. Re:It's a good thing... by Deadstick · · Score: 2, Interesting

    The sanctioning organization for model rocketry is called Tripoli, so named because its founder sold a collection of Libyan coins to get the incorporation money. That caused a bit of a flap during the troubles with Khaddafi, but they managed to straighten it out.

    rj