Rockets
NSWRA Launch Day
Saturday 31st March 2001
This was a launch day of the NSW Rocketry Association (NSWRA) at the Eastern Creek launch site.
Video Clips (DivX)
Arcas (580kb)
Scott's Big Flame-out (260kb)
Nev's Flame-out (280kb)
Another Flame-out (196kb)
Colin's Astrocam (140kb)
Perfect Launch (640kb) - Check out the sparkle as the rocket catches the sun! - Still picture on the right)
Viewing Instructions
These are best viewed with VLC or Windows Media Player (not your browser). Save them to your PC, then view them. To do this, right-click on the link, then choose "Save Target/Link As..." The videos are compressed. The DivX (MPEG4) codec may not be included with your version of Media Player. DivX is a very efficient compression codec. I prefer it because of my limited storage space on this site, and they transfer quicker over the 'net. You can download the DivX codec here, then install it.
"Perfect Launch" - The rocket caught the sun and sparkled in the camera lens!
Amazing what you can capture on video.
Me and Rocketry
I've been a model rocket enthusiast since around 1978 (sounds like a long time ago - but I was just a kid). I learnt how to make gunpowder when I was 11 (not recommended!), and tried several times to make rockets - all failed. When I was 15, I discovered Zinc dust and Sulphur - what a potent mix! I built several rockets that worked well on this mix. I've always used electronic ignition. In the early days this was a piece of Nichrome resistance wire connected to a digital timer (oscillator and couple of 74192 counter chips), powered by a car battery, all located in an empty paddock on my sisters farm in New Zealand. Videos are on YouTube, links below.
These days I build kits, mainly AeroTech or Estes, and some from Public Missiles.
A great source of rocketry kits and accessories in Sydney is Berg's Hobbies in Parramatta.
The moment of lift off. From the video.
Written by Greg Newton in Sydney, Australia. If you want more information, you can contact me at greg dot newton dot oz at gmail dot com (written like that to avoid spam bots).
The sky is the limit!