LUCERNE DRY LAKE, California USA — Wayne Mrazek, the former owner of Now Hybrids, made a final flight at ROCstock 28 on-board one of his own creations.  Mrazek, a long time friend to hobby rocketry, passed away June 10, 2008, following complications of heart surgery.

ROCstock 28, held November 7-9, 2008, is put on by Mrazek's home club, Rocketry Organization of California (ROC) and is held on the dry lake bed in Lucerne Valley.  It was there that his ashes were loaded into a rocket he built last year.

Mrazek was the driving force behind Now Hybrids, a company aimed at providing and supporting hybrid rocket technology.  Now Hybrids offered ground support equipment and other hybrid accessories, including the popular CSE 1, the most advanced microprocessor controlled hybrid launch system available.

Mrazek's 15 plus years of experience with commercial high power hybrid rocket motors, combined with his excellent customer service and infectious enthusiasm for hybrid technology was the cornerstone to the company's success, and enabled him to build a loyal following both in the United States and abroad.

His wife, Pat, was there to witness the event, where the weather was perfect, with no wind and the thermometer hovering around 75 degrees.  Wayne ashes would be spread doing what he loved best — flying rockets.

The flight resulted in a perfect boost using a RATT K240 hybrid motor, with the ashes being spread at apogee, and just like a reminder that life always has some gotcha waiting around the corner, the rocket's booster separated and came in ballistic.

Not to fear, according to David Griffith, the owner of RATT Hybrid Motors who also witnessed the launch. "There was minimum damage," Griffith said in an online posting. "Wayne made them strong." 

Mrazek's wife donated the rocket to students in attendance from Cal Poly who were there to help with the launch and want to get into hybrid technology.

Mrazek is survived by his wife, and two children, Allen and Alicia.

11-15-2008 06:17 AM  #1
Mr.Maddog New Member   Joined: Jul 2008 Posts: 2	Re: Article: Now Hybrids former owner makes final flight That's a beauty way to go!