Press Releases
GILBERT, AZ—Night launch rules for NSL 2002 have been finalized! The night launch is planned for Saturday, May 25th at dusk. The rules are simple—the rocket must be illuminated on the way up, illuminated on the way down, and propulsion DOES NOT COUNT as illumination. Total Impulse will be limited to J and below.
Also, our night flyers need to be aware that the RSO will hold these night rockets to very strict standards. A glow-stick taped to a rocket will not get past the RSO during the night launch. There are no restrictions on illumination intensity, but you must be able to see the rocket during its entire flight. A glow stick in a clear payload section on a J powered rocket won’t get past the RSO.
Direct questions to the launch director, Peter Riddell, at riddell@prodigy.net. You can also call at (480) 497-1960.
GILBERT, AZ—The FAA waivers for NSL 2002 has been approved! The FAA has granted a waiver of 7500’ MSL (the site is at about 1200’ ASL), with call-in windows up to 12,000’ MSL. This is same waiver that the Superstition Spacemodeling Society has operated with for the last several years at the Rainbow Valley site.
Of special interest is the possibility of night launches during the NSL weekend. The FAA waivers are effective until 9:00 PM local time, contingent upon approval by the local Traffic Control Center (TRACON). While approval is not guaranteed, the Superstition Spacemodeling Society has never had a night launch request turned down, so be ready for a night launch! Rules for night launches will be posted on the NSL 2002 Website.
In other news, the main motel has been selected for NSL 2002. The Crossroads Inn (formally the Comfort Inn of Goodyear) will be the main motel for event participants and exhibitors (vendors). Room Rates for participants will be $45 per night. The rooms are Non Smoking with two queen sized beds or Smoking with two queen sized beds. Special rooms located poolside will be available for exhibitors at a rate of $50 per night.
For reservations, call (623) 932-9191. When making reservations, be sure to mention that you are participating the National Association of Rocketry NSL 2002 event to get the special rate. All reservations must be in by May 11th, 2002.
Other accommodations are available, and can be found elsewhere on the NSL 2002 website. Please direct inquires to the launch director, Peter Riddell, at riddell@prodigy.net. You can also call at (480) 497-1960.
GILBERT, AZ—The Superstition Spacemodeling Society (NAR section #506, TRA Prefecture #047) is proud to announce that it has won the bid to host the annual National Sport Launch (NSL) for 2002. The launch will be held over the Memorial Day weekend at the end of May 2002. The NSL is the National Association of Rocketry’s launch with the emphasis on lots of sport rocketry flying at all certified impulse levels.
NSL 2002 will be held close to Goodyear, Arizona a short drive from the Phoenix metropolitan area. The actual launch site is known locally as Rainbow Valley. The site is privately owned ranch land, and offers the rocketeer miles of relatively flat desert. Vegetation is minimal, and recoveries of even the highest flights are relatively easy. The FAA waiver SSS has traditionally operates under offers flying up to 7500’ MSL (the site is at about 1200’ ASL), with call-in windows up to 12,000’ MSL! The SSS may also obtain a waiver for a night launch, which has been a tradition at some of our other regional events.
The launch site is located close to a number of amenities varying in price and location. Most of these are located in Goodyear, only a short drive from the launch area. There will be camping at the launch site, and RV’s are welcome. Phoenix Sky Harbor airport is also close by, along with all of the conveniences and amenities one could expect from the nations’ sixth largest city. There’s even a casino within easy driving distance from Goodyear.
Best of all, the SSS offers a lot of experience with big launches. We’ve hosted the NSL in 1993, and have co-hosted a past NARAM. More recently, SSS has hosted the G. Harry Stine regional launch as a multi-day event.
SSS has also made important innovations in range management. Within the last year, the SSS has implemented a modification of the famous ‘Mis-fire Alley’ that has reduced launch cycle times to some of the shortest to be found ANYWHERE in the country! Developed by the late Wally Etzell, this new system increases efficiency while at the same time decreasing distraction to the range crew. The net result is a safer range that offers rocketeers a chance to maximize their flying time!