Rocketry Planet

CEDAR GROVE, Queensland, AU — Seeing homemade rockets reach the speed of sound as they soar skywards is entertainment not just for rocketeers but for public enthusiasts as well.

Queensland Rocketry Society spokesman Ari Pirrainen says crowds of 400 turn up to the launch site near Jimboomba on public viewing days.

Upwardly mobile... Ari Pirrainen and Blake Nikolic.

For the first time, this Sunday, some spectators will get the chance to experience the thrill of firing a rocket.

"Some of these rockets will go up a thousand metres," Pirrainen says. "Every person who comes to watch will be given a free raffle ticket.

"And every half hour we will draw a lucky number. That person gets to press the button to fire a rocket ... under proper supervision, of course."

With smaller rockets, the person pressing the ignition button may be only 10m away as smoke billows around the rocket's base, seconds before it suddenly blasts upwards.

Onlookers must stand much farther away for safety reasons.

Enthusiasts often use cardboard postage tubes as the fuselage of their creations, adding suitably sized nose cones.

These projectiles are powered by specially imported shotgun cartridge-like "motors" from the US.

At the top of their ascent, smaller explosions are triggered to open the nose cone, allowing a parachute to be deployed for the lovingly made rocket to land safely.

The hobby of making scale-model rockets that can be launched multiple times is booming.

"A year ago, about six members would turn out for a launch day," Pirrainen says.

"Now we're getting 32 members and in August we had more than 400 spectators."

This Sunday will be the society's last public launch for the year, with a rocket blasting off every 10-15 minutes from 8am until about noon.

It's a chance for members of the public to inspect the variety of rocket designs and talk to their builders about how they work.

The Queensland Rocketry Society launch site is on Cedar Grove Rd, Cedar Grove, about seven minutes' drive south of Jimboomba, along the Mt Lindsay Highway. GPS co-ordinates: South 27.85325, East 152.96258.

Spectators can watch at no cost and there will be a sausage sizzle and drinks available.

Pirrainen says there is very limited shade at the launch site, so bring a hat and sunscreen but leave pets at home.

If the weather turns rainy or windy no rockets can be launched.

If the weather looks doubtful, you can check whether the launch is proceeding by phoning 0412-650-682 any time after 6.30am on Sunday.

Info: http://www.qldrocketry.com/