[Tn-talk] NFB Rocket Launch Successful

[Peter Donahue]

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