T-10...Prepare for Model Rocket Launch!

Just 10 days until launch! Plan to meet at 12:15 p.m. sharp on Sunday, November 3rd, at the Visitor's Center on ICESat Road at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center (Akela will want to click this link for correct directions). Pack 1461 will provide two rocket engines per Cub Scout (and sibling/parent, if they bought their rocket kit from the Pack -- we have more kits available for $10 each if you contact the Cubmaster). Remember to wear your uniform and read the tips and safety information below:

GLUE YOUR "FILLETS" ALONG THE FINS AND LAUNCH LUG: This is not a fillet as in a steak or fish, but in the sense of mechanical engineering (See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fillet_(mechanics)). Adding fillets can be done after building and glue is dried. Just put a bead of glue down between the fin and the body tube, and smooth with the finger. This allows enough glue in there, but not so much that it will drip. Fillets are especially important if you see gaps between a fin or launch lug and the rocket body. Scouts should not be afraid to add glue fillets even after the rocket is painted-- just use white glue, which dries clear, and do it at least 24 hours before the launch. If you put a fillet on a launch lug, be sure that you don't get any inside the straw.

PREPARE FOR REQUIRED SAFETY CHECK:

Some things the Range Safety Officer looks for:

1. wobbly fins (bad);

2. Fins that are mostly straight

3. too loose or too tight nosecones (we can fix that with tape or sandpaper)

4. there is a launch lug on there, and it's straight

5. the engine won't come out (something we can do on launch day, since the engines are friction fitted.)

THERE'S MORE THAN JUST MODEL ROCKETS!

In addition to launching our model rockets, we'll be able to spend time in the Goddard Visitor's Center where you can view real NASA spacecraft, see some cool space science results, climb in an actual Gemini spacecraft, play with some spacecraft simulators, and view a cool three dimensional "science on a sphere" movie.

So Cub Scouts, get your rockets assembled and painted, write your name on them and BE READY TO HAVE A BLAST with your Cub Scout buddies in just 10 days!