One fin can was printed in ABS to test size and dimensions and the other two in Ultem. The black fin cans will be installed on the Team Tesla rockets.  There will be a full scale launch the weekend of Jan 16 and 17.  A special thanks to Keith and Bob at TE Connectivity's rapid prototyping division for printing our parts. 

Team Tesla traveled to Millersville University and used their wind tunnel to test the drag effect of their nosecone payload.  Dr. Mehmet Goksu, from the physics department, invited us to the university and supervised the testing.  We want to thank Dr. Goksu for his help.  The drag effect at 40mph was very similar to the effect seen in the subscale test flights in November.  The rocket with the payload, achieved a height 17% less than that of the control nosecone.  This should help us in predicting the effect on the full scale and chose a motor that will yield an altitude close to 5280ft.

Kathy S. from First Energy stopped by on December 23 to present the $1000 grant check.  The Spring Grove SLI team applied in the fall to First Energy's Education grant program.  We are very proud of this accomplishment as we continue on to the construction phase of the program. 

Both teams recently started building their full scale rockets.  The first launch of the full scale rockets is scheduled to be Jan 16 and 17 in Price, MD.  We would like to thank the Maryland Delaware Rocketry Association (MDRA) for once again inviting us to come to their monthly club launch.  More pictures of construction will be posted soon with photos and video of the launch to follow.  

​Merry Christmas everyone!

Between October 7, 2015 and December 1, 2015 there were 67 people who designated Spring Grove Area High School Student Launch Initiative as their charity through the Rutters Rewards program.  Every time they made a purchase using their Rewards card a small percentage was donated to our organization.  When that donating period ended, we received a check for $500.  We are able to apply twice a year and will be applying in early January.  When we apply and are approved, we will announce a campaign for people to sign up.  When you go to www.Rutters.com, you need to login to you account and then choose "Rutters Rewards Schools" where you can select the Student Launch Initiative as your charity.   

NEW GoFundMe page:
     For the first time ever, the NASA SLI team has a new fundraising option.  We now have a GoFundMe page where companies and individuals can go, read about the projects, and make a donation.  The proposed budget for this year is roughly $26,000.  To date, about $16,000 have been raised.  We need your help.  Please follow the link bellow and consider donating to this worthy cause.  Any donation, big or small, would be greatly appreciated.  Donations of $5, $10 etc will add up and will get us closer to our goal. Please consider sharing this team webpage or the GoFundMe link with friends and family on social media.  We would greatly appreciate the support as our time and efforts have to move to constructing the full scale rockets and writing the Critical Design Review  (CDR).  More updates to come, keep checking back for updates on our progress.

GoFundMe link   :   gofundme.com/9edztfrk

Subscale launch:
​On November 21 and 22 the two SLI teams successfully flew their subscale rockets at the MDRA launch in  Price, MD.  The scale models were proof of concept and now the team can move onto the full scale rockets.  Below are photos of the rockets on the launch pad with some of the team  members.

​
​Here are some updated team photos with our subscales. There is one person missing from each team so we will have to take another picture sometime soon.  We will travel to Maryland this weekend to fly our subscale rockets, so if all goes according to plan we will begin building the full scale versions. Wish us luck!

Additionally, we would like to remind those interested in Paint Night that the deadline for registration has been extended to the day of the event, November 30. The cost is $40 per registrant if paid by check, and $43 through PayPal. Please make checks payable to Spring Grove Area School District); mail to PAINT NIGHT, c/o SGAHS, 100 East College Avenue, Spring Grove, PA 17362 or check the district web site to register via PayPal. We ask that those registering to paint are at least 14 years of age. More information on this can be found here, as well as the registration paper.