Note: This site currently concentrates on planning/information for the 7th Intercollegiate Rocket Engineering Competition to be held in June 2012. We will post more general information about the Experimental Sounding Rocket Association (ESRA) as time allows.
UPDATE 5/15/12: Travel and Lodging Information Posted
Information about airports and motel/camping is now posted on the Travel and Lodging Information page.
Information about airports and motel/camping is now posted on the Travel and Lodging Information page.
UPDATE 5/1/12: Insurance Requirements Posted
We have posted the insurance requirements on the Next Competition page. Please contact ESRA with any questions/concerns.
We have posted the insurance requirements on the Next Competition page. Please contact ESRA with any questions/concerns.
UPDATE 4/28/12: Map Updated
The map and route to the launch site has been updated. It can be found on the Launch Operations page.
The map and route to the launch site has been updated. It can be found on the Launch Operations page.
UPDATE 4/22/12: Procedures to Avoid Area of Critical Environmental Concern
In working with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), we have learned that there is an "Area of Critical Environmental Concern" directly to the east of the new launch site. In order to minimize the chance of rockets landing in this area, we want the rockets to shoot for a nominal landing point 2000 feet west-southwest (bearing 252 true, 240 magnetic) of the launch rails. Teams using wind weighting (with launch rails that allow pointing in azimuth in addition to elevation) will set their rails to the calculated azimuth and elevation to have the rocket land at the aim point. Otherwise, the rails will point to 252 degrees true azimuth at an elevation angle 85 degrees from the horizontal. Please use this launch angle in your trajectory simulations.
In working with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), we have learned that there is an "Area of Critical Environmental Concern" directly to the east of the new launch site. In order to minimize the chance of rockets landing in this area, we want the rockets to shoot for a nominal landing point 2000 feet west-southwest (bearing 252 true, 240 magnetic) of the launch rails. Teams using wind weighting (with launch rails that allow pointing in azimuth in addition to elevation) will set their rails to the calculated azimuth and elevation to have the rocket land at the aim point. Otherwise, the rails will point to 252 degrees true azimuth at an elevation angle 85 degrees from the horizontal. Please use this launch angle in your trajectory simulations.
Current list of participating teams (updated 5/15/12):
|
Basic Category:
Arizona State University California State University, Long Beach Ecole Polytechnique de Montreal (Canada) Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach (2 rockets) Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Prescott Haskell Indian Nations University Institut Tecnologico de Astronautica (Brazil) Istanbul Technical University (Turkey) Navajo Technical College University of Missouri, Columbia University of Waterloo (Canada) Virginia State University |
Advanced Category:
California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo California State University, Long Beach Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Prescott University of California, Los Angeles University of California, San Diego University of Washington University of Waterloo (Canada) |
UPDATE 3/25/12: Launch Site Location to Change
Due to concerns with the possibility of rockets reaching major highways or population centers, we plan to move the range about 4-5 miles to the southwest (pending BLM and FAA approval). The new launch coordinates are 38 deg 50 min 15 sec (38.8375 deg) N, 110 deg 13 min 50 sec (110.2306 deg) W. We will be launching to the west-southwest (approximate bearing 255 deg). The viewing/parking area will be approximately 1000 feet north of the launch rails. We will be posting a new map and directions.
In an effort to reduce long walks across the desert to recover rockets, we will be implementing a couple of improvements. First, we will station an observer post approximately 1 mile southwest of the launch rails ("range left"). Observers at this post and at the viewing area will visually track the rockets as they descend and get two bearings to the last known location. We will use these bearings to triangulate a best estimate of the landing coordinates. TEAMS WILL NEED TO HAVE GPS CAPABILITY SO THEY CAN NAVIGATE TO THESE COORDINATES (GPS capability can be either a handheld unit or a smartphone application). If a team still cannot find its rocket, then a radio tracking team from the Bridgerland Amateur Radio Club will be dispatched to help locate the rocket.
Second, the California State University, Long Beach team has offered the use of their wind measurement system for "wind weighting." Three new launch rails (plus CSULB's rail) will be available for teams to use. These rails have the capability to be pointed in both azimuth and elevation. Additional prize money has been offered for the team whose rocket lands closest to an aim point 2000 feet west (actually a bearing of 252 true) of the rails. The aim point will be marked with an orange cone.
Due to concerns with the possibility of rockets reaching major highways or population centers, we plan to move the range about 4-5 miles to the southwest (pending BLM and FAA approval). The new launch coordinates are 38 deg 50 min 15 sec (38.8375 deg) N, 110 deg 13 min 50 sec (110.2306 deg) W. We will be launching to the west-southwest (approximate bearing 255 deg). The viewing/parking area will be approximately 1000 feet north of the launch rails. We will be posting a new map and directions.
In an effort to reduce long walks across the desert to recover rockets, we will be implementing a couple of improvements. First, we will station an observer post approximately 1 mile southwest of the launch rails ("range left"). Observers at this post and at the viewing area will visually track the rockets as they descend and get two bearings to the last known location. We will use these bearings to triangulate a best estimate of the landing coordinates. TEAMS WILL NEED TO HAVE GPS CAPABILITY SO THEY CAN NAVIGATE TO THESE COORDINATES (GPS capability can be either a handheld unit or a smartphone application). If a team still cannot find its rocket, then a radio tracking team from the Bridgerland Amateur Radio Club will be dispatched to help locate the rocket.
Second, the California State University, Long Beach team has offered the use of their wind measurement system for "wind weighting." Three new launch rails (plus CSULB's rail) will be available for teams to use. These rails have the capability to be pointed in both azimuth and elevation. Additional prize money has been offered for the team whose rocket lands closest to an aim point 2000 feet west (actually a bearing of 252 true) of the rails. The aim point will be marked with an orange cone.
Background:
The Experimental Sounding Rocket Association, founded in 2003, seeks to further the field of experimental sounding rocketry, which we define as roughly between "experimental" or "research" high-power rockets and sounding rockets capable of reaching space (generally defined as 100 km altitude).
Our current emphasis is in hosting Intercollegiate Rocket Engineering Competitions every June near Green River, Utah. The following video, produced by 2011's winning team from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida, gives a good summary of what the competitions are all about:
The Experimental Sounding Rocket Association, founded in 2003, seeks to further the field of experimental sounding rocketry, which we define as roughly between "experimental" or "research" high-power rockets and sounding rockets capable of reaching space (generally defined as 100 km altitude).
Our current emphasis is in hosting Intercollegiate Rocket Engineering Competitions every June near Green River, Utah. The following video, produced by 2011's winning team from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida, gives a good summary of what the competitions are all about:
