Meeting Minutes - June 8, 2015

Meeting called to order at 7:15pm on June 8, 2015
Old Business

• S4 Summer Camp Update
• Camp will be July 13-17 from approximately 9am-5pm each day
• There are currently 9 teams signed up with 37 total students total
• It is a mixed of middle and high school groups, most have experience with TARC and/or S4
• The kit list has been compiled. Some pre-assembly required.
• Volunteers are welcome to join for as they are able
• Teams will be designing and building the rockets during the camp
• See the S4/TARC page on the website for more information: http://wvrocketry.org/s4-and-tarc-summer-camp
• Treasurers Report
• Currently $3,078.32 in the account – there are additional altimeter and club dues that have been received that are not reflected in the report

New Business

• There will be a club order soon in order to support the S4/TARC Summer Camp from Animal Motor Works
• Proposal was raised to have Vista Print make lawn signs to direct people to the club launches
• SarahEllen presented a sample and stated that the signs would cost approximately $9 each
• Motion was passed to purchase 5 signs and reimburse SarahEllen for the cost.
• October Sky TARC Rocket Camp
• Proposed dates are October 3-4, 2015
• Motion was passed to schedule the camp for that weekend
• October Sky Funds
• Proposed to set aside $1,000 to run the camp
• Moved to table the discussion until the next business meeting in August. Motion was passed.
• Launch Recap
• Redskin Rocketeers won the Egg-Lofter competition taking home the Golden Eggbeater
• There were a number of DQs
• Club members overall enjoyed the competition and look forward to more in the future
• General discussion on suggestions to encourage pre-TARC season launches with incentives to launch based on scores.
• 5th Grade Outreach Launch
• Launch occurred on June 3
• The students launched kit egg launchers
• There were several mid-power and high-power demonstration launches
• Overall launch was a success
• Proposed to move the next Out Reach meeting to July 6 at 6pm to help prepare for the S4 camp pending ERC availability. An additional topic will be TBD with the discussion of the topic moved to the email serve.
• Motion was passed to move the date with the topics mentioned.

Meeting adjourned at 8:15pm. The next Outreach meeting will be July 6 at 6pm. The next business meeting will be August 10 at 7pm.

Minutes in PDF format

Meeting Minutes - February 9, 2015

Meeting called to order at 7:15pm on February 9, 2015
Old Business

• Prior meeting minutes
• Minutes were reviewed
• Motion was passed to accept the prior meeting minutes
• Past rocket launches
• Launch did occur on January 17
• Many TARC teams came out, several qualification flights were made
• Ricky Beamer successfully completed his level 2 launch
• The last launch on January 31 was scrubbed because of the cold temperatures
• T-Shirt Order
• First order being sent in on February 9
• Student Memberships
• 2 essays were submitted
• The organization voted to give junior memberships to both

New Business

• Meeting Change Proposal
• Instead of having organizational meetings every month, change it and have organizational meetings every other month and have outreach/workshops on the other months
• Survey was taken:
• Outreach meetings for TARC – several times a month prior to the beefed-up launch schedule in the winter/spring
• High-Power Rocketry 101
• Proposed to meet on the off-months at the NASA facility
• A motion was made to change the meeting schedule
• Discussion was proposed to try it the schedule for six months and then reevaluate the schedule
• Proposed to preschedule the workshops and have a RSVP system
• If there is a specialized topic then may have a meeting at someone’s house or elsewhere with the small subset of members
• Motion was made to accept the changing the meeting schedule as outlined
• Motion was unanimously passed
• The next meeting will be held at NASA ERC and be on the topic of HPR 101
• Grant Recipients
• With the donation we were able to sponsor a number of TARC teams through registrations, launch equipment, engines, etc.
• Another donation was received and will be able to sponsor many more teams throughout the state
• Treasurer’s Report
• The current balance is $99.01
• NAR Safety Grant
• Proposed orange safety vests for RSO and LSO, easy-up tent for launch area
• Sending someone to safety training
• Aaron has volunteered to research safety equipment
• HPR Engine Order
• There is a form on the website for bulk engine orders. Order will be placed February 20.

Meeting adjourned at 8:35pm.
Next Workshop will be at NASA ERC on March 9, 2015.
Next board meeting will be on April 13, 2015.

Meeting Minutes in PDF format

Meeting Minutes - April 13, 2015

Meeting called to order at 7:15pm on April 13, 2015
Old Business

• TARC Wrap Up/Reflections
• No WV teams qualified for the top 100. The combined cutoff score was 40 this year.
• Last launch was a cold day with many launches. Many teams from all over the state (as far away as Charleston).
• Comments:
• Better organization for the launch with official roles (timers, RSO, etc.)
• What do we need to do to help our teams get better scores?
• Need to teach the very basics of model rocketry (same sized fins, consistency in build process)
• Steer our teams towards a simple rocket while allowing them to experiment early on with various wild designs
• Have the teams think about their goals for the season
• Just launch and have fun while learning?
• Make it to nationals?
• Have more teams come together and have joint build sessions or generate YouTube clips
• Keep It Simple, Students (KISS) Video Series with basic skills
• Seemed to be too much thrust with the fairly common F engine for the single-egg competition
• Did have a record number of teams involved in TARC this year for West Virginia
• Apparel
• Barbie did a fantastic job with the apparel order
• Treasurers Report
• Purchased 2 Folding Tables for Launches -- $59.40
• Safety Vests
• Amazon has bright vests that are fairly inexpensive
• Outreach Meeting
• The meeting went well, laid back atmosphere

New Business

• WVU/WVRocket/NASA Grant and S4/TARC Summer Camp
• Proposal was written for the summer camp – It was accepted
• Now have an extra $2000.00 in the communal budget for outreach, components, etc
• All members are invited to help with the camp and mentor as available
• Camp will likely run July 13 through July 17
• How do we reach out to parents and educators? What age range are we targeting?
• Proposed 7 teams with 2-3 kids on each team as well as a coach/mentor to come to WVU to spend the week
• Combining the S4 camp and the TARC camp
• Merge the payload building for S4 as well as the rocket building components from TARC
• Want to do a tethered balloon test in Morgantown – Use this as a media event
• Launch the large rockets on Friday
• Age range would be the same as the TARC competition. Some exceptions may be made under special circumstances.
• For advertising, make a YouTube clip on the build process and the final launch
• Can WVRock spend up to $2000.00 for components?
• Motion was made for the club to spend up to $2000 for the S4/TARC Summer Camp
• Discussion was made. Comments include:
• Is there a minimum number of teams? Maximum number of teams?
• At least 5 teams, max of 10 teams (with some concessions for cost efficiency)
• Vote was taken. The motion was passed unanimously.
• May Team Launch Competition
• Limited to black powder motor
• Must be a Low Power Rocketry (4.4oz propellant/3.3 pounds Max)
• Use the PerfectFlite FireFly as the altimeter
• Target altitude of 500 feet
• Target time of 28-32 seconds
• Single parachute
• Must carry one raw egg (55-60 grams) and return it unbroken
• Individuals or Small Teams
• Paid Member of WV Rocketry Assoc.
• ¼” launch lug or 1010 rail buttons
• Aaron Yoho gave a presentation on his HPR Level 1
• Gave an overview of his build process and motor selected
• Dual deployment discussion utilizing the Strattologger PerfectFlite CF
• Showed a video of the successful launch
• Outreach Meeting Topics
• High Power Rocketry (Buy a kit beforehand and go through the build process)
• RockSim How-To
• Glider Discussion
• TARC Rules, how to win this year
• 3D Printing
• Electronics and How To Build Your Own Altimeter
• Parachutes – Picking and making your chute
• North Elementary Volunteers – June 3
• Go to Mylan Park and launch a large rocket
• Kids will be launching between 3-5pm
• Aaron, Ricky, Paul, and Brian have volunteered to launch a larger rocket as a demonstration flight (TARC sized and larger)
• TARC Finals on May 9 (rain date May 10)

Meeting adjourned at 8:50pm. Next meeting will be at the NASA ERC on May 11 at 6pm. The topic will be on RockSim.

Minutes in PDF Format

Meeting Minutes

November 10, 2014 Meeting Minutes

Meeting called to order at 7:25pm on November 10, 2014
Old Business:

• Treasurer’s Report
• There is an influx of money from dues coming in. Has not been deposited yet.
• Membership Report
• 4 new members
• Total membership is now at 27
• FAA waver
• It is being updated and will be resubmitted soon
• New S4 Update
• Two teams from Morgantown, one from Mineral County, one from Marion County
• Met twice
• Most have completed the hardware parts, moving onto programming soon
• Balloon launch date and rocket launch date are still TBD
• News articles have been added to the website
• L2 and Dual Deployment
• October Monthly Launch
• NASA ERC October Sky Workshop
• S4 Launch

New Business:

• S4 Presentation by the G4 Team (Scieneers)
• Team gave a recap of the S4 project from soldering through launch including presenting pictures from soldering, GPS testing, balloon testing, and rocket launch
• Present a temperature vs. humidly, temperature vs. pressure, and barometric pressure vs. time
• There was a general discussion of the data with audience members various ways to investigate and interpret the data
• Team also discussed their trip to Huntington, WV, to the Makers Fair discussing what they have designed and printed on a 3D printer
• Team won the 2nd prize overall at the fair
• Brian discussed his Level 2 launch
• Launched in Monterey, Virginia
• Rocket weighs about 8.5 pounds with motor
• Local club suggested anything expected to go above 3000ft to use dual deployment
• Flight achieved about 2500ft in altitude and a velocity of over 400 mph
• There was a motion that any person that achieves Level 2 the club will reward the member with a L2 motor up to $75
• Requirements:
• Member in Good Standing
• Must give a presentation of their launch
• Motion passed
• November 29th launch competition is “Turkey”
• Anything that deals with turkey. A general Thanksgiving theme

Meeting adjourned at 8:30pm. Next meeting will be December 8th, 2014.
Minutes in PDF Format

October 13, 2014 Meeting Minutes

Meeting called to order at 7:30pm on October 13, 2014
Old Business:

• October Sky Workshop / TARC workshop
• Club event supported by NASA
• Many members helped make the workshop happen
• Workshop covered rocket design through building and launching a rocket (including 3D printing)
• The club is willing to aid in sponsoring teams. Not able to pay the registration fee but capable of altimeter donations
• S4 Update
• Both teams successfully launched their S4 payloads
• Many members came together to make it happen
• Support included WVU Physics Dept., NASA IV&V ERC, and WVRocketry
• Mentors from both teams supported the launch. The teams supported each other.
• Balloon launch was successful. Lots of data from the test flight.
• Currently processing the balloon data and flight data
• New Launch System
• Brian discussed a prototype PVC launch system. Demonstration of this system was at the TARC launch
• Treasurer’s Report
• Todd presented the treasury report. Currently, the balance is $626.74.
• Club voted to set aside $450 on TARC grants
• Club approved Brian to purchase 2 additional PVC rocket launchers in order to supplement the Mantis launch system.
• Last Club Launch on September 27
• Brian and Todd competed in the multi-stage rocket competition
• Brian won – His rocket went higher

New Business:

• Vote to cancel the December 27 Launch. Vote passed.
• Winter Launches / TARC Launch Dates
• October Launch, October 25 – Mark has volunteered to bring the rocket gear
• November Launch, November 29 – Rocket competition is Turkey Themed, Use your imagination!
• Added a January 17 launch in addition to the January 31 launch
• Added a February 21 launch in addition to the February 28 launch
• Added a March 21 launch in addition to the March 28 launch
• Mark Suder presented data from the S4 launch. The presentation was well received. The sides can be downloaded by clicking here for the PDF version and here for the PowerPoint version.
• Additional Lessons Learned through the S4 project
• Always have fresh batteries
• Everyone learned how to solder
• Hard parts
• Difficulty in transposing it into other systems
• Software was one of the hardest things to wrap your heads around to get everything to work properly
• What about how it is now is repeatable with other groups and what isn’t?
• What would we change or improve on in the future?
• Kids want to add a camera to the system in the future
• Add in an LED light to know when there was a GPS lock
• Scientific data processing
• Now the fun begins with data processing
• All team members have volunteered to look at it ahead of time
• Brain presented the GPS data on Google Earth
• Maker Fair
• Scienceers presented their TARC design challenges.
• They won 2nd place for their Rocket Design research
• S4 Group 2
• Meeting at 9am at White Hall at WVU on October 18
• Teams from North Marion and Mineral Co.
• Paul Miller from WVU is bringing a team (1/2 teams)
• Barbie and crew will be bringing a crew as well
• As many as 5 teams
• Last team will have to move a little faster
• Have been through the intro and soldering introduction
• About at the halfway point of soldering
• Third session on Nov. 15 the group will be programming and debugging

Meeting concluded at 8:55pm. Next meeting will be November 10, 2014.
Minutes in PDF Format

August 11, 2014 Meeting Minutes

Meeting called to order at 7:15pm on August 11, 2014

Old Business:

• TARC Rocket Camp held August 4-5
• Very successful
• Email was inadvertently sent to the national TARC email list instead of only the WV list
• This resulted in additional teams being interested than intended
• Had eight teams from three states in attendance
• All teams were able to build a single egg lofting rocket
• All teams built a TARC-style rocket
• Team from Williamsburg, VA, had the most successful design
• October Sky launch at Mylan is on hold until we hear conformation from Myland that the site is available
• Bruceton Mills Launch
• Five or Six people in attendance
• The site made for a good alternative for low and low-mid power rockets
• Not suitable for HP launches
• Land owner is very agreeable. Than you Dave!
• There is an article in today’s Dominion Post on Todd Ensign and rocketry
• S4
• Finished soldering all boards
• One team has finished continuity checks
• Other team is partially completed
• Next meeting is August 13 at 5pm for more integration testing
• Dimitris has offered to host some Saturday sessions to work with a high school group
• Morgantown High School has signed up for the program
• Teacher is ready to go
• Program has not been offered to the high school groups yet
• S4 answers the question of “What’s next” after TARC

New Business:

• TARC
• 2 years ago there were 29 WV teams
• Last year there were 22 WV teams
• Target this year – 30+ teams for the state
• Ask all NAR Members to Join as a TRC Mentor
• This is accomplished by emailing Trip Barber
• National event will be held May 9-10, 2015
• Encourage all members to volunteer
• Currently working with TARC HQ on a webinar series for new and current teams
• Webinar will be offered nation-wide to all interested TARC members
• Upcoming WVRocketry Competitions
• August Launch
• Clusters
• How many can you light simultaneously?
• Target altitude: 400ft
• Cluster as defined as 2+ black powder motors
• September Launch
• Multi-Stage Commercial Black Powder
• As many stages as feasible
• As high as you can go
• Side competition – How many stages can you retrieve?
• October Launch
• Egg loft on an F engine
• Minimum altitude: 200 feet
• Eggs must weigh between 58-60 grams
• Most eggs launched
• Most eggs retrieved unbroken
• November Launch
• Trans-Sonic Rocket Competition
• Likely minimum diameter
• Brian is looking to put together an engine order
• Looking at getting Cesaroni motors
• Will make this order soon
• Level 2 Launch
• There are 4 groups within a 4-5 hour drive of Morgantown that regularly launch L2 Rockets
• All these sites have 4,000-5,000 foot wavers
• One key question posed:
• Does the test need to be proctored by a Level 2 or just proctored?
• No specific target launch date yet
• S4 Balloon Launch in August
• Treasury Report
• Donation of $500
• Now have $520 more than last treasury report
• How does WVRocketry want to utilize these funds?
• Ideas proposed:
• Sponsor 4 TARC team registrations
• Buy motors for teams
• Buy altimeters
• Give teams money to use as they see fit
• Brian demonstrated the EggFinder and EggTimer
• One is a GPS transmitter that broadcasts the rocket GPS position
• One is an altimeter and deployment device
• Launch on August 30 will be HP
• S4 rocket will go through a shakedown flight

Meeting adjourned at 8:35pm. Next meeting September 8

Minutes in PDF Format

July 14, 2014 Meeting Minutes

Meeting called to order at 7:20pm on July 14, 2014

Old Business:

• S4
• Great turnout to date
• 2 groups of young kids
• Morgantown Learning Academy
• Learning Options/Scieneers
• Both groups have successfully assembled their payloads
• Kids practiced soldering resistors through a board before soldering their payloads
• Now at the programming and testing phase
• Balloon launch is scheduled for August 30
• Dimitris would like to run a few older (high school) kids through the program this fall
• Animal Motor Works
• Will likely work with them for the next motor order
• Running a special – if you purchase a Cesaroni motor for a L1/L2 certification attempt, they will give the appropriate casing for it

New Business:

• New Treasurer Election
• Brian Hill was nominated
• Barbie seconded the nomination
• No discussion
• Verbal vote was taken. Brian was elected with all Yeas
• Barbie demonstrated a Bluetooth tracker
• Tracker has roughly 150ft range
• $15-$25 per tracker
• Technically used for small object tracking (dogs, keys, etc)
• Upcoming launch
• Will be at a new site near Bruceton Mills
• Brian will send out directions closer to launch time
• Site is suitable for low-power and mid-power rockets
• Usual launch time – 9am to Noon
• Team competition will be Dual Stage Rocket Competition
• TARC Summer Camp
• NASA IV&V ERC can sponsor five TARC teams
• Camp will be held August 4-5
• October Sky will take place October 11-12
• The group discussed ideas for getting more TARC teams and additional WV mentors
• Work with the HPR clubs at WVU and Marshall
• Civil Air Patrols

Meeting adjourned at 8:20pm. Next meeting is August 11

Minutes in PDF Format

June 9, 2014 Meeting Minutes

Meeting called to order at 7:05pm on June 9, 2014

Old Business:

• May 31 Launch Update:
• 3 members became obtained their Level 1 certification
• Barbie Pill
• Ed Pill
• Ricky Beamer
• Styrofoam Cup Competition
• ~10 rockets competed
• Most launches were very interesting. A mini study in fins vs no-fins was conducted.
• Chris Tennant won both the tallest rocket launched and highest altitude obtained
• Hawk III and Hawk IV
• Mostly 3D parts
• Spin stabilization
• Very successful flights
• Several TARC teams launched fun flights
• TARC 2015 rules have been released. Registration is opens around September 15

New Business:

• S4
• Ryan Headlee gave a demo of the S4 Payload Board and its various hardware components
• July Launch Location
• New launch location in Bruceton Mills. The owner is happy to have us as long as we teach him how to launch a rocket.
• June launch will be held June 28 at Mylan Park
• A-Engine altitude competition
• Highest altitude with an A-Engine
• No other rules

Meeting adjourned at 8:07pm. Next meeting July 14

Minutes in PDF Format

May 12, 2014 Meeting Minutes

Meeting called to order at 7:20pm on May 12, 2014

Old Business:

• Chris Tennant gave a recap of the TARC Finals
• His team had a disqualification
• Students toured Washington, D.C.
• The team met with to Aurora representatives
• Students were excited. Current seniors want to be mentors next year
• Todd Ensign and Mark Suder gave a recap of the TARC Finals from the volunteer perspective
• Discussed rubbing elbows with the current and past NAR presidents and former astronauts
• The head of the NASA Educational outreach program is excited to spread the Rocketry Design Webinars nationwide to all TARC teams. Has asked Todd Ensign to call him next week.
• Strongly suggested all members volunteer next year at the TARC Finals

New Business:

• Three new WVRock youth members (Total of 5 now)
• The West Virginia Rocketry Association was successfully rechartered for 2014
• S4 – Small Satellite for Secondary Students
• A small group has begun to integrate and leverage the parties involved
• Started meeting every other Thursday
• The project is moving forward
• WVU Update:
• Wants WVU to reach out in STEM areas
• WVU has a room that can be made available for training and soldering
• Can find a schedule when middle school, high school, and college students can meet to talk through the space environment, soldering, etc.
• Chairman of the physics department has agreed to make the space available as long as there is a strategic plan in place with it
• Plan must include:
• Who will be there, safety conditions, etc
• Need names, number of people, etc
• Need to know how often to meet
• Need a parent organization for S4 in this area
• Suggest that WVRocketry be the parent organization
• Motion was made to have WVRocketry/NAR be the parent organization that oversees the partnership with the S4 pilot project group
• Motion Passed – WVRocketry will move forward with being the lead to instigate the partnerships with NASA IV&V, WVU Physics, etc.
• Next rocket launch is May 31.
• There will be a Styrofoam Cup Rocket Competition
• Engine limit is A-C engines
• High Power launch as well.
• NASA ERC has received funding to do a Rocket Summer Camp
• 2 day camp
• Tentatively the week of July 14
• Pittsburgh Space Command (PSC) has invited us to go launch with them at any time

Meeting adjourned at 8:40pm. Next Meeting June 9th

Minutes in PDF Format

April 7, 2014 Meeting Minutes

Meeting called to order at 7:30pm on April 7, 2014
Old Business:

• Three rocket launches have been held since the last meeting
• 2 launches at the Tennant Farm
• 1 Launch at Mylan Park
• Big turnout for all three events. Roughly 8 TARC teams launched. Numerous qualifying and practice launches.
• Several pre-TARC teams launched during these launches as well
• One North Marion team is going to the TARC finals being held May 10, 2014
• High Power Rocket Launch
• Weather has not been favorable this winter (snowed out twice, high wind)
• Will continue to try at any Mylan launch (next scheduled for April 26)
• The club is celebrating its One Year anniversary in April.
• The club formed in April 2013 with three people and at the One Year meeting there were around 20 in attendance. The goals of the club for outreach to students and the community is growing with the increase in TARC launches as well as a new summer initiative. The club is also starting to venture into club-only competitions.
• Styrofoam Rocket Competition
• Scheduled to occur May 31.
• General rules:
• 18 mm motor (A-C motors)
• Motor mount, launch lugs, fins, and recovery device do not need to be made of Styrofoam cups. The rest of the rocket will be cups.
• Design challenge aspect is how to safely recover the rocket
• Competitions:
• How many cups high can you go?
• How high can you go?
• October Sky
• Scheduled for the October 11-12 weekend
• This is the TARC kickoff event
• Held in the NASA ERC facility
• Rocketry Summer Camp
• Sponsored by NASA ERC
• 2-day camp to be held TBD during the summer

New Business:

• Small Satellites for Secondary Students (S4)
• Students design a scientific payload to fly on a Level 1 rocket to an altitude of 2500-3000 feet above ground level
• Developed using a NASA grant through Sonoma University
• The pilot project in WV will be a student outreach program that is in collaboration with WV Rocketry, WVU Physics Dept., and NASA IV&V. Two or three student teams will be involved.
• The scientific payload will use the Arduino platform to collect data. Possible types of data include acceleration, barometric pressure, temperature, and GPS position. Downlink telemetry and data is also possible.
• Details are still being worked out.
• Membership Report:
• Only 12 people are on the membership list
• If not a member yet please see Barbara
• Changing the Meeting Date
• Due to conflicts with the meeting space, the WV Rocketry club will be changing its normal meeting night to the second Monday of each month. The gathering time will remain as 7pm.
• Future presentation topics
• S4 Electronics
• Prior month’s launch pictures and videos
• TARC Nationals Preparation

Meeting adjourned at 8:30pm. Next meeting May 12
Minutes in PDF Format

March 3, 2014 Meeting Minutes

Meeting called to order at 7:25pm on March 3, 2014.
Old Business:

• Treasurers Report
• No change in the account.
• Secretaries Report
• The meeting minutes from January and February are now on the website.
• Level 1 Committee Report
• The launch attempt for Level 1 certification is still scheduled for March 15 at Myland Park.
• March 1 Launch Report
• Several TARC teams showed up to test their rockets and launch qualification attempts.
• Estimated 12-15 rockets launched between TARC and club member launches.
• A safety incident occurred on the last launch of the day.
• Cause: An igniter was not ejected from the motor on ignition.
• Effect: The rocket carried the ignition system wires to approximately 20 feet in altitude where the weight of the wires facilitated the ejection of the igniter. The additional weight of the wires and non-uniform force resulted in the rocket veering from vertical flight. When the wires were released from the rocket, the end of it flipped backwards and landed outside of the safety area.
• Future action(s): For future launches tent stakes or other restraint mechanism will be used at the launch pad to secure the ignition system wires to the ground.
• High Power Launch System Report
• The new high power launch system is constructed and nearly completed. The last item that needs to be configured is the continuity check system.

New Business:

• October Sky Rocketry Workshop
• Scheduled for October 11/12
• Rocket launches utilizing the NASA IV&V launch space
• Invite the community for workshops approximately once a quarter.
• The workshop cumulates in a launch of recently designed/built rockets
• Will likely ask participants to preregister
• Dates for these events are set for the coming year:
• April 26, 2014
• July 26, 2014
• January 31, 2015
• Club Competitions
• Various ideas for club competitions were discussed. Competitions ideas included styrofoam cup rockets, A8 altitude, drag race, tallest rocket. The members present voted to hold a styrofoam cup rocket competition. The basic rules are:
• Main body is composed of styrofoam cups
• Will fly on the A8-3 motor
• Awards for the tallest rocket and highest altitude
• Special Topic
• Dimitris Vassiliadis gave a presentation on the WVU Rocket Project Rocksat X
• Discussed how WVU undergraduate and graduate students are building payloads to fly onboard standing rockets launched from Wallops Flight Facility. More information can be found at www.facebook.com/WVURockets
• The presentation spurred on several discussions about different aspects of the program as well as how we can get involved.
• For outreach an idea was proposed that the club would sponsor and host a scientific payload rocket launch for middle school, high school, and potentially college students. This outreach would be geared towards introducing the students to the full life-cycle engineering process and the various reviews and checkpoints involved. The project would cumulate with a launch of the payload and closeout report. This proposal will require additional investigation.

Meeting adjourned at 9:30pm. Next meeting April 7.
Minutes in PDF Format

February 10, 2014 Meeting Minutes

Meeting called to order at 7:15pm on February 10, 2014 (rescheduled from February 3)

Old Business:

• All Level 1 rockets are built
• All safety gear is in including the launch rail and launcher
• Gear includes a windsock, chains to outline the launch area, megaphone, and rail launcher stand.
• Treasury Report:
• $147.77 in the account
• Purchased rocketry safety gear
• Membership Report:
• 15 people on the list
• New membership cards have been given out
• Membership drives – make sure you get on the listserv and spread the word via word of mouth

New Business:

• February 22 and March 1 launches will be only for TARC teams
• Level 1 launch attempt is scheduled for March 15
• Each Level 1 attempt rocket was examined and questions asked about its stability and recovery mechanisms. This lead into general discussions about rocket stability.
• At the March 3 meeting there will be a presentation by WVU’s Dimitris Vassiliadis on his RockSat program where college students design a scientific payload that NASA then send up to a sub-orbital altitude aboard a sounding rocket launched at Wallops Flight Facility. http://ulysses.phys.wvu.edu/~rocket/
• Start thinking about summer club events and competitions. Examples: Highest on an A8, tallest rocket, longest flight, etc.
• Upcoming rocket launches:
• February 22, 9am-noon, Myland Park
• March 1, 9am-noon, Myland Park
• March 15, 9am-noon, Myland Park
• March 29, 9am-noon, Myland Park

Meeting adjourned at 8:45pm. Next meeting March 3.

Minutes in PDF Format

January 6, 2014 Meeting Minutes

Meeting called to order at 7:15pm on January 6, 2014

Old Business:

• Banking account is setup
• Currently $250 in the account
• Has a bank card
• Classified as a non-profit sports organization
• Won the NAR Safety Grant for Level 1 ground safety expenses
• Level 1 Report:
• Submitted the FAA Waver Request
• Waver would be for the Myland Park launch site
• Dues are now due
• Membership Form Modification
• Need to add a parent/guardian signature line
• Edit/Addition: Make checks payable to WV Rocketry Association

New Business:

• Upcoming launch dates:
• January 25, 9am-noon, Myland Park
• February 8, 9am-noon, Myland Park
• February 22, 9am-noon, Myland Park
• March 1, 9am-noon, Myland Park
• March 15, 9am-noon, Myland Park
• March 29, 9am-noon, Myland Park
• Team America Rocketry Challenge (TARC)
• 20 or 21 West Virginia Teams
• Future webinar series ideas
• Fundraising
• Rocketry Basics (aka “Getting Them Going”)
• Level 1 Rocket engines
• Several members have had success using Giant Leap Rocketry for their L1 engines.

Meeting adjourned at 8:30pm. Next meeting February 3.

Minutes in PDF Format

June 3, 2013 Meeting Minutes

Old Business

• The club website has been setup, http://wvrocketry.org/
• The listserv has been setup. All members can mass-email one another through this mechanism. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• Jamie sent the section registration packet to NAR. Currently waiting for their formal approval – not anticipating any issues.

New Business

• Discussed having “picnic topics” at each meeting.
• Set the launch dates for the next year. Launches will occur on the last Saturday of each month as well as each Saturday in March. Exceptions are July and December – no launches will occur in these months. The planned launch dates are:
• June 29, 2013
• August 24, 2013
• September 28, 2013
• October 26, 2013
• November 23, 2013
• January 25, 2014
• February 22, 2014
• March 1, 2014
• March 8, 2014
• March 15, 2014
• March 22, 2014
• March 29, 2014
• April 26, 2014
• May 31, 2014
• Officers meetings will continue to be the first Monday of each month at 7pm at the Black Bear Burritos in Evansdale.
• There is a rocketry camp June 25-27 at the Education Resources Center (ERC) at the NASA IV&V facility in Fairmont.
• Call for a club logo has been issued. Currently seeking designs from anyone.

Picnic Topic

• Jamie and Todd discussed their experiences at this year’s Team America Rocketry Challenge (TARC). The competition was held in Big Meadows, Virginia.
• Five West Virginia TARC teams made it to the national competition. Of these five, one team came in 15th place and one team came in 16th place.
• Overall Jamie and Todd had a very good experience and are starting to encourage section members to volunteer for the event next year.
• Next month’s topic will be on Altimeters and other altitude and tracking systems.

Next Meeting is on July 1.

Minutes in PDF Format