Rockets of all sizes will launch skyward this weekend as part of the Southern Arizona Rocketry Association's Desert Heat 2008 event.

Sixty to 100 rocketeers are expected for the event, and 350 to 500 launches will take place over the weekend, said Eric Burch, president of SARA.

SLIDESHOW: Eric Burch, the President of Southern Arizona Rocketry Association, with rockets he will launch during SARA's fourth annual Desert Heat Rocket Launch on Saturday and Sunday.

Most will be small hobby-class rockets, but some will range up to large high-power rockets, he said. The rockets are constructed of cardboard for safety, he said.

Burch will be launching an array of rockets ranging from about a foot to more than 12 feet tall.

Burch said that the Federal Aviation Administration has given permission for rockets to fly 4,500 feet above the ground during the event, and organizers are working to secure launch windows when rockets can hit 6,000 feet, based on aircraft traffic in the area.

Mass launches where children can retrieve small model rockets and win prizes will take place Saturday at 11 a.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m.

Desert Heat runs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday and 8 a.m to 3 p.m. Sunday.

The event will be held at the Tucson International Modelplex Park Association facility on North Reservation Road, between West Mile Wide Road and West Manville Road, in Avra Valley northwest of Tucson.

The event is free. Rocketeers pay $10 per day to launch.

Vendors will offer food and rocket stuff.

For more information visit http://www.sararocketry.org/desert_heat_2008.htm.

Copyright © 2008, Tucson Citizen.