The SLI subscale has not flown since October 2016 and it flew again this weekend.

York College will be submitting a proposal next year for NASA's University Student Launch Initiative (USLI).  In order to gain some experience, the team built a level 2 full scale rocket and launched it this past weekend at MDRA.  

George Hubbard began working for NASA-Houston in the Spring of 1967, just months after the fire of Apollo 1.  Mr. Hubbard worked on the engine that lifted the astronauts off of the moon.  He was able to describe the design, testing and implementation of the engine in the craft that eventually landed on the moon in July of 1969.  Thank you Mr. Hubbard.

Last Launch has become a Spring Grove tradition.  After the grueling 9 month competition rocketry season including TARC and NASA Student Launch, we have one last team launch in order to fly project rockets, new motors, new rigging, etc.  It is a fun launch without having to worry about data, specific masses, etc.  It is also normally a bitter sweet launch for seniors because it marks the end of their high school rocketry career.  This year was a bit unique, as we only had underclassmen.  The launch below is of our class rocket, Executioner, on a K650 Smoky Sam motor.  This rocket was the first team rocket to use CO2 ejection for the main parachute.

TARC Nationals was an amazing experience for over 800 students.  Here are some images from Nationals

Here is the launch from TARC Nationals that scored well enough to place 23rd in the country.

Zach and Adam were interviewed by The Rocketry Show at TARC Nationals on Saturday.  It was an awesome experience.  They discussed TARC, NASA SLI, and our Apllied Physics - Aerospace Engineering class.

This Spring Grove team attended TARC Nationals for the first time.  In challenging conditions, their rocket had a slightly longer delay than expected and their time in the air suffered as a result.  They placed 67th out of the 101 teams at Nationals.

We had to deal with mud, wind, humidity, an abreviated schedule, etc.  Through it all, one Spring Grove team advanced to the second round and thus is eligible for NASA Student Launch next year. The Spring Grove teams finished in 23, 51 and 67 out of 101 teams at TARC 2017 Nationals.  Congratulations to the teams.

The rockets are packed and one will not be sent aloft again until Saturday or Sunday.  With the impending storm Saturday, it is looking more likely that the launch will be postponed until Sunday for the first time in the history of TARC.  While not ideal, 10-15mph winds, it will be better than the drenching rain on Saturday.  Travel safe everyone and see you Friday, Saturday or Sunday.

After more than 8 months of designing, building, launching, modifying, qualifying launches, fund raisers, and the list goes on and one, we are only 3 days from the National flyoff in Manassas, VA.  Some teams may have already departed and are on their way, others will leave tomorrow or even Friday.  There is a lot riding on that first launch, but you have to aks yourself only one question..."Did you do everything you could to be preapared for that moment?"  If the answer is yes, then you are ready and should be content with the result.  There is always a bit of luck involved on Saturday, both good and bad, but some of that is out of your control.  Safe travels and see you at the safety briefing Friday night.

The weather did not cooperate for all three days of our rocket building workshop that we held for the Intermediate School students, but we were able launch a few in 10-15mph winds.

The weather has been challenging to say the least for TARC practice launches.  Whether it has been high wind, or rain, or both, we have had limited practice time.  We were able to launch one day last week.  

The weather has been very difficult to practice launch for Nationals.  It finally broke this week and we were able to get in a launch.  A score of a 5, we will take that!

Fidegt spinners are all of the craze in schools across the country.  The Spring Grove rocketry team is now printing spinners to sell as fund raiser for their team. Customizable from a variety of colors and bearings, you can have one made just the way that you want it and help out a worthy cause.