[Nfb-science] Fwd: [Blindtlk] NFB Rocket Launch Successful

[David Andrews]

>From: "Peter Donahue" <pdonahue1 at sbcglobal.net>
>To: <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
>Date: Wed, 19 Jul 2006 15:43:09 -0500
>Subject: [Blindtlk] NFB Rocket Launch Successful
>
>Good afternoon everyone,
>
>    Below is a report of today's launch of the sounding rocket by the
>students participating in the third annual, "Rocket On" Camp sponsored by
>the NFB Jernigan Institute's National Center for Blind Youth in Science,
>(NCBYS.) According to the information given below the Web cast of today's
>rocket launch was canceled due to server problems originating on the NASA
>Server. I'm hoping it will be archived in the NCBYS Web Portal at a later
>time. What's really exciting about this year's launch is that they were able
>to recover the rocket payload after it returned to Earth. I'm sure those
>kiddos are spending the rest of today analyzing the data retrieved by the
>sensors during the rocket's launch and flight. My hat is off to them for a
>job well done! Way to go Rocket On Students!! Here is the information:
>
>
>NFB Posted by RCC on 2006-07-19 06:35:47
>Preliminary apogee for today's launch was 6,275 feet.
>Launch occurred at 22 seconds after 6 a.m.
>At 6:35 a.m., the payload has been recovered by U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary,
>Chincoteague.
>
>NFB Posted by RCC on 2006-07-19 06:06:56
>T+2minutes
>Payload descending by parachute.
>Payload has splashed into the ocean. Recovery efforts underway. Data was
>received from the sensors.
>Mission successful
>
>NFB Posted by RCC on 2006-07-19 06:01:33
>Parachute deployed
>
>NFB Posted by RCC on 2006-07-19 06:00:25
>Launch
>
>NFB Posted by RCC on 2006-07-19 05:59:30
>T-30 seconds
>
>NFB Posted by RCC on 2006-07-19 05:59:01
>T-1 minute
>Go for launch.
>
>NFB Posted by RCC on 2006-07-19 05:58:00
>T-2 min. 30 sec. Beginning fill of nitrous oxide to the motor.
>
>NFB Posted by RCC on 2006-07-19 05:57:01
>T-3 minutes and counting
>
>NFB Posted by RCC on 2006-07-19 05:54:58
>T-5 minutes. All stations report go for launch.
>
>NFB Posted by RCC on 2006-07-19 05:52:10
>T-30 minutes 5:50 a.m.
>
>Final station checks are being conducted.
>
>NFB Posted by RCC on 2006-07-19 05:50:24
>T-10 minutes and counting.
>
>NFB Posted by RCC on 2006-07-19 05:45:06
>T-15 minutes and counting.
>The rocket has been raised to the launch position.
>
>NFB Posted by Range Control Center on 2006-07-19 05:39:54
>T-20 minutes and counting. All systems are reporting 'green' for launch. The
>rocket will soon elevated to the launch position. The payload team has
>reported
>that they are receiving a good signal from the payload.
>
>The students participating in today's mission are in a week-long rocket
>science camp at the National Federation of Blind's Jernigan Institute,
>Baltimore,
>Md. The camp, "Rocket On!," teaches students about rocketry through classes
>and workshops. The students also develop and build sensors for today's
>payload.
>
>The students arrived at Wallops July 18. While at the facility, students
>have participated in various reviews, practice countdowns, as well as final
>rocket
>and payload preparations. With mentorship from NASA personnel, the students
>receive knowledge and experience first hand about various career
>opportunities
>within NASA.
>
>The payload is comprised of various sensors, developed by the students.
>Vibration sensors, photo cells and thermostats will be taking data
>throughout the
>flight. The information obtained by the sensors will be transmitted to a
>ground station for analysis.
>
>Reporting for duty at 4:30 a.m. today, the students are taking on roles of
>NASA personnel as they conduct the mission. The students are supporting
>range
>safety, project management, radar and telemetry, web cast, the test
>director, and the launch activities on the launch pad and in the blockhouse
>and the
>range control center.
>
>After launch, the students will return to the Jernigan Institute where they
>will analyze the data obtained from their sensors. They will present their
>findings
>July 21 at the Institute.
>
>The students are from: Wyoming, Indiana, New Mexico, New Jersey, Missouri,
>Minnesota, Maryland and Virginia.
>
>NFB Posted by Range Control Center on 2006-07-19 05:29:45
>T-30 minutes and counting
>The rocket today is being powered by a hybrid motor of plastic and nitrous
>oxide. The 10-foot tall rocket is projected to fly to an altitude around
>5,500
>feet.
>
>NFB Posted by Range Control Center on 2006-07-19 05:02:48
>5:00 a.m. T-60 minutes and counting. The countdown is progressing normally
>this morning. The shelter covering the rocket has been removed. Surveillance
>of the ocean off of Wallops Island has started. They are looking for any
>boats that may be in the avoidance areas.
>We are sorry to report that we will not be able to carry video and audio of
>today's mission. We are having problems with the server. However, when the
>rocket
>is launched, we do expect the performance data to be displayed.
>
>NFB Posted by Range Control Center on 2006-07-19 04:33:43
>4:30 a.m., Wednesday, July 19, 2006
>The countdown has started for today's mission. Student and NASA personnel
>station checks are being conducted. The weather looks good for today's
>mission
>- clear skies and light winds.
>
>NFB Posted by Range Control Center on 2006-07-18 16:09:57
>4:00 p.m., Tuesday, July 18, 2006
>A 1/2 scale Patriot high powered rocket is on schedule for Wednesday, July
>19. The launch window is 6 to 9 a.m. The launch is part of the Rocket On!
>camp,
>a partnership between NASA and the National Federation of the Blind. During
>the past week, 12 visually-impaired and blind high school students from
>across
>the country have been learning about rocketry, building sensors to be flown
>on the rocket and conducting trajectory analysis for the mission. On
>Wednesday,
>they will participate in the launch and see their skills tested as young
>rocket scientists. The webcast for this mission will begin at 5 a.m. on
>launch
>day.
>Peter Donahue