usafnasa cancels model rocket launch

USAF/NASA Cancels Model Rocket Launch

Wow, model rocket news on NASA Watch. Bad news, but an excellently

written piece. It's a prime example of 'military intelligence' at

work. I wonder if the NASA people involved here are involved in the

Shuttle go/no-go decision? I hope not. The term that comes to mind is

FUBAR!

The planned launch of 50 Juno I model rockets from Cape Canaveral

to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Explorer I launch has now

been cancelled by the station's wing commander. Although the CCAFS

has no quams about launching Deltas, Atlas and other massive

rockets, they go into a complete tither when it comes down to

launching a 12 inch long model rocket made of balsa wood and paper

weighing just under 2 oz.

The intended launching was to be used as a fund raiser for the

CCAFS Museum with each of the rockets being armed with the smallest

engine they can carry, an A8-3. This engine would have propelled

each of these 2 oz. Juno I replicas the a computer calculated

altitude and or range of only 239 feet and each is recovered with a

12 inch parachute.

The Air Force, however, upon discovery of the planned flights felt

that these rockets could pose a hazard to the nearby Delta pads-

which are made of concrete and steel and are more than 10 times

farther from the model's launch site than the rockets can fly. With

that as their reason, the Air Force started the red tape machine.

Soon the USAF Jags got involved and wanted a held harmless form

signed by everyone near the launch site.

Next, a USAF person of non-importance decided to contact NASA and

tell them that the rockets would be firing from the actual Explorer

I launch site, which was on their property. Now enters the NASA red

tape machine, which demanded a full safety review (keep in mind

that kids have been flying such rockets since before NASA was even

created). With this red tape storm in full swing, the CCAFS wing

commander's office had heard enough and scrubbed all 50 launches.

Thus, all over America on January 31, 2008 school kids and adults

will celebrate the the day that the US Army launched Explorer I

into space by launching model rockets. In spite of the winter

conditions, the launches will take place in parks and school yards

and back yards all over the United States- every place EXCEPT for

Cape Canaveral.

In 1958, the US Army restored the nation's pride following Sputnik,

but it seems that in 2008, the Air Force and NASA cannot even get

out of their own red taped way to launch a simple rocket made of

balsa wood and paper.

Hopefully, an alternate launch site was secured.