AeroPAC's Aeronaut 2004 launch meet, July 30 - August 1, 2004

These are the transport containers for my rockets on the rack on my truck.


My rocket's fins stick out of the PVC transport container.


When the Launch Control Officer (LCO) opens the range, people whose rockets have had their safety inspection done may now go out to the pads. Once the rocket is ready on the pad, they come back to the flight line. Launches can't resume until everyone is away from the pads.


Pads 1-10 are the low-power pads. Often the rocketeers kids are learning about rocketry themselves, and use these pads. But it's also used by grown-ups, either working their way up to high-power or just flying specialty rockets for fun.


It's my turn as Launch Control Officer. We take turns volunteering for all the roles that make the launch happen.


I'm setting up the launch controls for my 2-hour shift as Launch Control Officer (LCO).


In this photo I'm reading a flight card which describes a rocket that I'm about to launch.


People have to first bring their rockets for inspection at the Range Safety Officer (RSO) table. If they pass the inspection, they may bring their rocket to the LCO for a launch pad assignment. This photo is viewed from the LCO table.

In the background, it isn't a typo that you see "Mojave Desert High Power" on the sign - that's the name of one of a dozen vendors who sell rocket motors and other supplies at the launch. The vendors' booths are located front-and-center at the flight line.


Coming back to the launch site after a trip to the store in the town of Empire...


The heat of the sun creates a mirage on every warm day in the desert. In this photo the flight line is getting lost in the mirage so it's probably about half a mile away.


Half a mile away from the flight line (wide view).


The final step of every successful flight is recovery of the rocket.


...now he can celebrate his success.


This kind of conversation takes place hundreds of times a day at a launch. If they didn't already know each other then this is a chance to introduce each other. Each can describe their project, what they've built, what they want it do accomplish and what they hope to learn.


A large launch event like this is a mutual benefit for the vendors and the attendees. If an attendee needs to make repairs or wants to buy something new, it's often available. And the vendors find their best in-person sales at a launch.


Every 2 hours another member takes a turn as Launch Control Officer.


Rocketeers have their rockets inspected at the RSO table before getting a pad assignment.


A nice straight launch and a nice photo of it...


This launch isn't completely straight but looks good.


This rocket is probably a little heavy for the amount of thrust from its motor. It's arcing over very soon after leaving the rail.