New Zealand Rocketry Association National Launch Day Feb 9th 2020

Forums › Home Workshop DIY › New Zealand Rocketry Association National Launch Day Feb 9th 2020

Mistenfuru

198 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 120

#261786 15-Dec-2019 09:07

The New Zealand Rocketry Associations National Launch Day is on again for 2020!

Come join us for an epic day of rocketry 1 hour south of Auckland (20mins north of Hamilton) at Taupiri.

2020's event is set to be bigger than ever, being the last day of a 3 day launch event seeing international visitors show off their stuff,

Along with a full-scale Nike Smoke Sounding rocket

There will be food and toilets available on site, along with fly-your-own rockets available for purchase,

We're all a really friendly bunch, come take a look at what it takes to launch High-Power model rockets here in NZ

Tickets can be purchased HERE (NZRA is not for profit, ticket prices go straight back to the upkeep of equipment and launch site)

I'm happy to answer any questions people may have!

World of Warcraft Veteran, Avid Sci-Fi Geek.

ISP - Technical Support - Lines and infrastructure.

Zeon

3926 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 759

Trusted

#2375626 15-Dec-2019 10:49

Already saw this and really was keen but will be away :(

how high do those rockets go? Is there like some no-fly zone on that area?

Speedtest 2019-10-14

JaseNZ

2576 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1489

ID Verified

Lifetime subscriber

#2375644 15-Dec-2019 11:03

That would be an awesome event, If I was not committed I would fly the family up, Kids (and me) would love that.

Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding : Ice cream man , Ice cream man

Mistenfuru

198 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 120

#2375689 15-Dec-2019 11:36

Zeon:how high do those rockets go? Is there like some no-fly zone on that area?

There's a 9500ft ceiling for the day with a NOTAM in place, however special licenses are granted for higher than this, at 2019's launch day we had rockets exceeding 30,000ft, this year is set to have some more powerful ones again!

World of Warcraft Veteran, Avid Sci-Fi Geek.

ISP - Technical Support - Lines and infrastructure.

Mistenfuru

198 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 120

#2376138 16-Dec-2019 10:09

And for any of you REALLY into rockets or wanting to get involved in High-Power rocketry, info on the 3 Day event "Havoc In The Paddock" can be found here: https://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumId=141&topicId=255527

World of Warcraft Veteran, Avid Sci-Fi Geek.

ISP - Technical Support - Lines and infrastructure.

Mistenfuru

198 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 120

#2407342 27-Jan-2020 09:18

Hey Fellow Geekzone members,

Another update regarding the New Zealand Rocketry Association National Launch day on Feb 9th at Taupiri (1hr south of Auckland, 20mins north of Hamilton)

The "Nike" Smoke Replica Sounding rocket is all but completely finished, standing at 6.5m tall and launching on a "P" class motor this is going to be an awesome sight to see!

We've also got the "Big Red" and "Marsden" rockets making a comeback this year as well, along with a multitude of other High and Low power rockets, some of which are set to hit Mach 1.

Adults are $25 and kids $10 for the day, and you can build and fly your own small rocket for between $20-40 (there's a few different options)

There'll be food and toilets on site, but definitely bring some seats and sun protection.

If you'd like any more info feel free to hit us up on Facebook, or message me directly (I'll be there with my family launching rockets on the day, all the way from Christchurch)

Image: The Nike Smoke's final preparations are underway

World of Warcraft Veteran, Avid Sci-Fi Geek.

ISP - Technical Support - Lines and infrastructure.

ShinyChrome

1603 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 686

ID Verified

Trusted

#2407352 27-Jan-2020 09:35

Man that looks awesome! I wish I could come, but it's a bit too far away for me unfortunately.

Good luck for it, hope the launch goes smoothly!

Dyson

Shop now for Dyson appliances (affiliate link).

Mistenfuru

198 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 120

#2417148 13-Feb-2020 09:40

And we're all done and dusted for another year!

Some epic flights from all involved, including the massive Nike Smoke

Here's some awesome video footage of what took place:

The Ad Astra (4m tall): Onboard camera: https://www.facebook.com/100008449026106/videos/2348086935482918/

The Nike Smoke (6.5m): Remote Camera shot: https://www.facebook.com/nick.hutton/videos/10160048547358868/

Onboard camera:

A mix video of some of the launches throughout the weekend:

World of Warcraft Veteran, Avid Sci-Fi Geek.

ISP - Technical Support - Lines and infrastructure.

Mistenfuru

198 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 120

#2417155 13-Feb-2020 09:51

And a couple more videos:

World of Warcraft Veteran, Avid Sci-Fi Geek.

ISP - Technical Support - Lines and infrastructure.

GregV

932 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 304

#2417194 13-Feb-2020 10:48

Thanks for the update and videos - I was *this close* to making the trip

Mistenfuru

198 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 120

#2417200 13-Feb-2020 10:52

GregV: I was *this close* to making the trip

We'll see you next year then! It is definitely worth the trip, and it's getting bigger every year

World of Warcraft Veteran, Avid Sci-Fi Geek.

ISP - Technical Support - Lines and infrastructure.

CokemonZ

1106 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 313

#2417201 13-Feb-2020 10:53

I went with the family.

Amazing day - the rockets were incredible. Some tense moments with the Nike launch and incredible to see it launch.

Kids got to build and launch a little cardboard tube rocket, with a real motor - awesome activity.

Anybody that goes next year - take sun shelter! lots of people with gazebos etc - right way to go.

1000% recommended

Lego

Shop now for Lego sets and other gifts (affiliate link).

Mistenfuru

198 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 120

#2417206 13-Feb-2020 11:03

CokemonZ:

I went with the family.

Amazing day - the rockets were incredible. Some tense moments with the Nike launch and incredible to see it launch.

Kids got to build and launch a little cardboard tube rocket, with a real motor - awesome activity.

Anybody that goes next year - take sun shelter! lots of people with gazebos etc - right way to go.

1000% recommended

Glad you enjoyed it! the NZRA holds monthly launches at the same place for its members if you're interested in getting into the bigger stuff.

Or if the kids loved the cardboard rockets you can buy rocket launch kits and motors from most hobby shops (we use RC Hobbies and Aerospace Education) which you can launch at local parks!

World of Warcraft Veteran, Avid Sci-Fi Geek.

ISP - Technical Support - Lines and infrastructure.

frankv

5705 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 3666

Lifetime subscriber

#2417289 13-Feb-2020 12:40

Mistenfuru:

you can buy rocket launch kits and motors from most hobby shops (we use RC Hobbies and Aerospace Education) which you can launch at local parks!

Wondering about altitude and airspace and distance from airports restrictions and those kinds of things?