Low/Mid Power Launches
THOR flies under NAR rules and regs for LOW POWER flights. Please refer to the links at the bottom of this page for details.
2024 Launch Dates and Times:
Unlike high power launches, low power launches require a little flexibility. For this reason, we do not set firm dates of launches, but try to plan launches approximately 3 days out from an acceptable weekend.
The low power team will keep an eye out for acceptable launch conditions (winds less than 10 mph, temps of 45 degrees and rising, etc) and will make a decision on a launch day.
Launch days will be weekends not aligning with scheduled high power weekends. We will attempt to have them on weekends, but as you know, some of the best flying days may be on a weekday evening. It really just depends on Mother Nature.
We typically start at 9 am, but again if winds are diminishing, it could be an afternoon/evening start time.
Confused yet?
The best thing is to be a registered member of THOR so you will be on the email when potential launch days are planned. We will also try and update Facebook.
Below are VERY tentative dates the club intends to fly on, but see the above details for final details.
May 25-Low Power Launch
June 8-NIGH Low Power Launch
July 13-Low Power Launch
Aug 10-Low Power Launch
Sept 14-NIGHT Low Power Launch
Oct 12-Low Power Launch
Field Location.
Take HWY 75 Bay Road/Webster Blvd, turn west and its just past 18th st.
MODEL ROCKET SAFETY CODE
1. Materials. I will use only lightweight, non-metal parts for the nose, body, and fins of my rocket.
2. Motors. I will use only certified, commercially-made model rocket motors, and will not tamper with these motors
or use them for any purposes except those recommended by the manufacturer.
3. Ignition System. I will launch my rockets with an electrical launch system and electrical motor igniters. My launch
system will have a safety interlock in series with the launch switch, and will use a launch switch that returns to the
“off” position when released.
4. Misfires. If my rocket does not launch when I press the button of my electrical launch system, I will remove the
launcher’s safety interlock or disconnect its battery, and will wait 60 seconds after the last launch attempt before
allowing anyone to approach the rocket.
5. Launch Safety. I will use a countdown before launch, and will ensure that everyone is paying attention and is a safe
distance of at least 15 feet away when I launch rockets with D motors or smaller, and 30 feet when I launch larger
rockets. If I am uncertain about the safety or stability of an untested rocket, I will check the stability before flight
and will fly it only after warning spectators and clearing them away to a safe distance. When conducting a
simultaneous launch of more than ten rockets I will observe a safe distance of 1.5 times the maximum expected
altitude of any launched rocket.
6. Launcher. I will launch my rocket from a launch rod, tower, or rail that is pointed to within 30 degrees of the
vertical to ensure that the rocket flies nearly straight up, and I will use a blast deflector to prevent the motor’s
exhaust from hitting the ground. To prevent accidental eye injury, I will place launchers so that the end of the
launch rod is above eye level or will cap the end of the rod when it is not in use.
7. Size. My model rocket will not weigh more than 1,500 grams (53 ounces) at liftoff and will not contain more than
125 grams (4.4 ounces) of propellant or 320 N-sec (71.9 pound-seconds) of total impulse.
8. Flight Safety. I will not launch my rocket at targets, into clouds, or near airplanes, and will not put any flammable
or explosive payload in my rocket.
9. Launch Site. I will launch my rocket outdoors, in an open area at least as large as shown in the accompanying
table, and in safe weather conditions with wind speeds no greater than 20 miles per hour. I will ensure that there is
no dry grass close to the launch pad, and that the launch site does not present risk of grass fires.
10. Recovery System. I will use a recovery system such as a streamer or parachute in my rocket so that it returns safely
and undamaged and can be flown again, and I will use only flame-resistant or fireproof recovery system wadding in
my rocket.
11. Recovery Safety. I will not attempt to recover my rocket from power lines, tall trees, or other dangerous places.
LAUNCH SITE DIMENSIONS
Installed Total Impulse (N-sec) ----Equivalent Motor Type ----Minimum Site Dimensions (ft.)
0.00–1.25 1/4A, 1/2A 50
1.26–2.50 A 100
2.51–5.00 B 200
5.01–10.00 C 400
10.01–20.00 D 500
20.01–40.00 E 1,000
40.01–80.00 F 1,000
80.01–160.00 G 1,000
160.01–320.00 Two Gs 1,500