Rocketry Planet

ARDMORE, Alabama USA — Staged this past Memorial Day weekend, The National Association of Rocketry's National Sport Launch '99 has come and gone. I don't have a lot of range statistics to throw around, nor details of some of the most interesting flight I've ever seen, but I would like to share a few of the highlights of the launch in a pictorial layout.

Even though I was flipping burgers at the Huntsville Area Rocketry Association (HARA) tent all weekend, I was still able to soak up some of rocketry's best!

All photos are courtesy of Ronnie Tipps, HARA resident rocket photography expert, and Paul Staires, another most appreciated contributor!

A panorama of the site of NSL 99'. And yes, the power lines have teeth! This was taken Saturday morning, I believe the best flying day of the weekend.

This is a candid shot of Brian Day, HARA president, with one of his frequent flyers. I believe he is showing off HARA's NSL '99 T-shirt!

What Northern Alabama launch would be complete without celebrities? Homer Hickam Jr., author of "The Rocket Boys," stopped by Saturday to sign autographs, shake hands and share some of his fond mem ories. This autographed Saturn V may never fly again!

This is photographer Paul Staires and Homer. I did say he shook hands and signed rockets, right?

HARA is fortunate to have George Gassaway regularly attend launches in North Alabama. The NSL was no exception. He flew many of his radio-controlled models, as well as the actively guided "Sun-Seeker."

Another of George's crowd pleasers, at liftoff. With the freshly plowed field reaching all the way back to a tree line, there were lots o' thermals and many "Dust Devils" to cause mischief.

Of course, there were scores of beautifully detailed scale models on hand. The complete results of the Mick Wilkins Memorial Meet will be posted on the Southern Area Rocketry (SoAR)/NSL 99' website soon.

Here are a few undoubtedly hot and thirsty individuals passing through the RSO area. Lines rarely formed, regardless of the relentlessly heavy traffic, a testament to the thorough organization of the SoAR operations at the range.

Those innocent looking power lines didn't look so innocent with rockets draped across them. Fortunately (and unfortunately at the same time), a storm system moved through the area late Sunday afternoon, whipping up the Southern winds, and freeing the casualties from their lofty roost.

The down side was the rain, continuing through Monday, which shut down the NSL range operations a day early. I have a few pictures of the crew tearing down on Monday, but Darrell said mud wrestling pictures are not appropriate. Editor's Note: ;-)

Unfortunately, I don't have flyer information to give credit for the rest of the pictures, but I would like to share them anyway.

Many beautiful and exciting flights! If you didn't make it, you missed an incredible gathering. An experience I'll look forward to repeating as frequently as possible in the future!