Come launch with us on the third Saturday of each month at Veteran's Memorial Park in Alamogordo! 

Thunder In the Desert

Alamogordo's 15th Annual Regional Sport Launch

On This Page:

 Events
    June 21 - 22, 2008
Registration
Guidelines for Sport Launch
Centennial Challenge
Weather and Necessities
Accommodations
Contacts

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SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Testing for TRA Level II Certification

Please contact Hugh Malcolm or Denzil Burnam if you wish to take the Tripoli Level II Cert test during our Thunder in the Desert Weekend.

Saturday

Sport Launch

7:30 a.m. Registration at Veterans Memorial Park, Alamogordo

8:00 - 3:00 p.m. Flying at Veterans Memorial Park..

Sightseeing

9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.  New Mexico Museum of Space Museum open to tour  

There are many sightseeing attractions in the area, check out the Alamogordo website for attractions in the Alamogordo and Otero county areas.

Dinner

5:30 p.m. Group dinner at a local restaurant (to be determined) for socializing, rocketry videos and swap stories.

Night Launch

7:30 p.m. Rocket must have strobes, lights, light sticks, etc. Flights will be limited to 3,000' AGL and must be visible to LCO through all stages of flight.

Sunday

Sport Launch

7:30 a.m. Registration at Veterans Memorial Park, Alamogordo

8:00 - 3:00 p.m. Flying at Veterans Memorial Park.

3:00 p.m. Range closes and drawings will be held for raffle prizes.

Sightseeing

9:00 a.m.- 5:00 pm Don't miss the International Space Hall of Fame at the New Mexico Museum of Space History!

Sightseeing

REGISTRATION

Registration is open to all persons and ages.   The range fee is $15 per family for the entire weekend or $10 for a day.  Fees are applicable to Adult NAR and TRA members.   Kids fly A-D motors for free.  Adults must show proof of NAR or TRA membership.   Fees will be collected the morning of the launch and will increase to $17 per family the weekend of the launch for those not pre-registered.  Please fill out the online form  to let us know you are coming.  The pre-registration allows us to plan better, makes for a shorter registration line, and allows us to contact you in case of any last minute changes.   Make checks payable to Spaceport Model Rocket Association.  Registration includes the launch fee and chances for hourly door prizes.

GUIDELINES FOR SPORT LAUNCH

Our 12 volt relay launch equipment and MR, LMR, and HPR launch pads are available for launches out to 500’, including Ms and complex Ls.  FAA waiver is 19,000 AGL, but TRA safety code limits us to 9400’ due to proximity of residences. We may be able to accommodate 9400’ to 13,000’ with away pads, contact us if you have a need for altitudes in this range. Rockets employing over 2,560 Newton seconds require additional approval from Tripoli New Mexico, White Sands.  Find the RSO to start the process. All activities must comply with TRA and NAR safety codes.  Decisions by the Event Coordinator, RSO, LCO, and Safety Monitor are final. Only motors currently certified by TRA, NAR, or CAR are authorized for launches on Saturday and Sunday.

NAR COMPETITION

For more information contact Contest Director Jim Basler at jbasler@zianet.com or (505) 521-4822 or visit The FLARE Website

If you are not familiar with National Association of Rocketry sanctioned competition check out the NAR's webpages on Competition Rockety and the  United States Model Rocket Sporting Code "Pink Book"

CENTENNIAL CHALLENGE

The Centennial Challenge duration contest has become a staple at our events. We’ll have some great prizes, so join us in the competition this year!  The event is open to rockets greater than 100 inches in total length and the total power of the motor(s) is to not exceed 100 Newton-Seconds. The rocket must be at least 100" in height when leaving the launch rod, rail, or tower. Total installed motors cannot exceed 100 NS. Motors may be clustered or staged, but recovered sustainer must be 100". Timing starts at lift-off and continues until the first piece of the 100" section lands or is no longer visible. The rocket must be flown and recovered in flyable condition.  When flown, timers will time the duration of the flight and annotate the time on the flight card.  When the rocket is recovered, the flyer will bring it back to Safety Check-in to verify recovery.  The longest flight duration will be the winner in "under 18" and "18 and over" age groups.

WEATHER AND NECESSITIES

During June, the temperatures reach the high 90’s and lows are in the low 60’s. Rains are possible, generally in the afternoon hours. The launch site is dusty. Bring suntan lotion, cap or hat and sunglasses. Some shaded shelter is planned and lawn chairs are recommended. Some food and soft drinks will be sold at the launch site and water will be provided.

ACCOMMODATIONS

Alamogordo has numerous motels varying in range of quality and price. All motels are within 8 miles of the launch site.

There are 16 RV spaces available adjacent to the site. American Legion Post #34 charges $10 per night. Each spot is about 75’ long with water and electrical (30 amp and 15 amp) hookups. Participants may dry camp at the rangehead Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for free. There are porta-potties and one water spigot at the rangehead. The electricity and water will be turned on Friday through Monday.