About

The world of rocketry remains a field that fascinates and intrigues us all.  Since our childhood we have been amazed by the vastness of space and the thrill of a rocket launch.  Today there are limitless ways to stay engaged in the ever evolving field of rocket science.  This web site is designed to help you find out where your interests are and how you can get more involved in the field of rocketry.

There are numerous levels of involvement in the hobby of high-powered rocketry.  Individuals have the opportunity to construct everything from the simple Estes rocket kits that most of us remember from when we were kids, all the way to building massive scale models of historic rockets.  Depending on your level of experience, you will have a different starting point for getting involved.  If you have never built a rocket before, check out some of the simpler designs at the Estes web page (found under Educational Resources – Online Resources) for your first build.  If you have mild rocket experience, it may be time for a small Aerotech kit with an “F” or “G” motor.  Regardless of your construction skills, do not attempt a high power, complex rocket for your first build.  It is crucial to develop building techniques with simple designs first.  After you have a model build, find a local rocket club (check the National Association of Rocketry or Tripoli web sites) and go launch your rocket!

Local clubs and mentors are extremely important for all rocket builders, regardless of your level of expertise.  There are federal, state, and local rules regarding even small rocket launches.  Finding a local club will eliminate the stress of complying with all of those regulations yourself.  Local clubs also offer you the opportunity to meet others in the sport of rocketry.  There are truly brilliant individuals across the country and around the world participating in this sport.  Meeting members of a local club will foster friendships and give you a resource to use when you come across a problem or a question in your rocket experience.

There is literally NO limit to what can be accomplished in this field of interest!  Each individual can find a level to work at that they are comfortable with to enjoy this awesome hobby.  Also don’t forget, there is no pre-requisite for this hobby!  If science and math are not your thing, that does not mean you cannot participate in rocketry!  Building skills are easy to develop and you can easily find a mentor to help you with the more advanced science aspects of the sport.

Aside from getting involved in rocketry to pass the time, there are numerous opportunities for all ages to be challenged in this sport.  During middle school and high school students have the opportunity to participate in the Team America Rocketry Challenge (TARC) which incorporates science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) curriculum into a school environment.  Check out the “TARC” tab or web site for more information.  In high school and college students also have the opportunity to participate in the NASA Launch Initiative Challenge which takes the basic skills of rocketry to a whole new level!  Check out the “NASA Launch Initiative” tab or web site for more information.  If you are not in school but still want a challenge, there are also national sport competitions hosted by the National Association of Rocketry (NAR) every year!  Individuals can construct models of real rockets or enter altitude scoring competitions.  The NAR web site has more information about these challenges.

For those looking to make a career out of rocketry, the aerospace industry is an excellent field to enter in the coming years.  Over 50% of the aerospace industry is over the age of 50 or eligible for retirement.  Companies like Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Boeing, and Raytheon will be looking for new engineers to fill those positions in the coming years!  NASA and other space-based companies also offer employment opportunities for individuals in many fields.

As you can see, the sky is not even close to the limit of opportunities individuals have to get involved in rocketry.  Everyone of every age can enjoy this amazing sport for as long as they desire.  Finding out more information about the opportunities available in this field will help show you what areas of rocketry you will enjoy most.  Whether it’s finding launch opportunities at local clubs, discussing rocketry on the blog forum, or just exploring new areas of the field of rocketry for you, hopefully you will find what you need on this site (or at least find out how to get what you need!)  This web site is designed to show you the opportunities available to you so you can find your niche in the rocketry community.  Good luck with your endeavours, and always remember to shoot for the stars!