Over the last few years we have lost, blown up, burned down, and fished out more rockets
than I care to quantify. As our hobby progressed the space craft became larger, more complex
and increasingly expensive to fly. Electronic payloads (read, more equipment to lose) accompanied the high
tech boosters to collect data, fire ejection charges and aid ground tracking crews when recovering the rockets
as they returned from the upper atmosphere.
Since we moved to the desert we have gone back to basics. Flying lightweight model rockets on engines
with C-6 power is every bit as satisfying as the big ticket launches. The family formula includes nylon parachutes, nomex wadding
and in some cases audio tracking beepers. The lack of trees and tall grasses has greatly improved the rate
of successful recovery. The tracking beeper costs a mere $15 to build.
Here are a few moments, captured in our quest
to enjoy rocketry as a hobby while retaining hardware. We learn a little with every launch,
including new ways to cope with loss.
At least our failures don't cost $165 million and end up Mars litter (sorry NASA).
Launch Movies - Realmedia
Rocketry Online - Serious rocket web site
