Since our first Rocket Science Day in 2007, which was held in the summer, our annual amateur launch day has been moved to the first Saturday in October.
Since our first Rocket Science Day in 2007, which was held in the summer, our annual amateur launch day has been moved to the first Saturday in October.
Rocket Science Day is a celebration of all things rocket (and even some things that are merely rocket-like, if you've ever seen a cable spool launched you'll know what we mean), and is a festive day marked by competitive launches, demonstrations, the occasional unhelpful puff of wind, and the whoosh of small rocket motors. With help from our friends at the Kansas City Association for Rocketry ( KCAR ), who run the launches, we aim not only to have fun, but to learn some of the fundamentals of being a rocket scientist.
In previous years, the celebration has attracted school groups, interested amateurs, and first-time rocketeers from all around the Kansas City area. All of them come out to try their skills at launches and recovery, and hope to avoid landing in the woods.
In 2010, we are hoping not only for good weather (2009 was more than a bit chilly and windy), but for our best turn-out yet! So watch this space, our Events Calendar, and our Facebook and Twitter feeds for more updates as we get nearer the day!
We'll see you for the countdown in October!
This year, H.M.S. Beagle will be taking part in the special events surrounding the anniversary of the first human spaceflight, that of Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gargarin, in 1961. Yuri's Night is a worldwide celebration of spaceflight, astronomy, and rocketry, and we hope that you will come out for a day and evening of rockets, stargazing, and a special showing of the film "Rocket Boys". This is a free event for the whole family. Bring your rockets and watch them fly!
We'll begin the day with rocket launches, proctored as always by our friends at the Kansas City Association for Rocketry, KCAR, who will also be selling refreshments outside on the day. Later in the afternoon, we'll have our special free film presentation, followed in the evening by a special star party. Bring your rocket for the afternoon, and your telescope for the evening, or stay up late and have a look through one of ours! Sure, you may have work on Monday, but who says you can't sleep through the first few hours?
For more information, check out our Special Events page, and for more about Yuri's Night, take a look at the official Yuri's Night website.