We're having a launch this Saturday at Mill Springs, but because we're taking our new setup to Orangeburg the following week, we're going to take it easy this week and not have a big set up. That's where you come in. This launch will be conducted as a "Misfire Alley" system.

In essence, "Misfire Alley" requires that everyone brings his or her own pad and controller, and sets it up on a grid laid out at the beginning of the day. There are still flight cards, and a Launch Control Officer (LCO). The main difference is that the LCO directs the launch of rockets by their owners instead of launching them at a central console.

To fly a rocket, you prepare it as usual, fill out a flight card, put the rocket on your own launch pad, then bring your card to the LCO, who will put it into the queue while you return to your pad. When you signal you are ready, the LCO announces your name, checks for all clear, then gives you the go-ahead to countdown and launch the rocket.

Now, what if you don't have a pad and controller? Or someone else shows up without one?  No sweat!  We'll be glad to share!

You need to make your plans for the 2008 National Sport Launch, to be held in Orangeburg, South Carolina on Memorial Day weekend, May 24-26, and sponsored in part by SoAR! Three days of flying from nearly a square mile of front lawn!!

Small rockets, big rockets, and a few Really Big Rockets will be taking to the air!

Last day for pre-registration and for ordering T-Shirts is TODAY, Tuesday, May 13!

Teams from both South Atlanta High School, and South Forsyth High School are preparing for the trip to The Plains, Virginia for the 2008 Team America Rocketry Challenge Finals on May 17.

This will be the second straight appearance for South Atlanta, and the first trip for South Forsyth.

Good luck to both teams!

And a heartfelt apology to South Atlanta High, which I (Roy) misnamed as "South Fulton" in the previous version of this entry.

As many of you well know, we have had a big problem with the trees surrounding the Mill Springs site. Many rockets seem to be unnaturally attracted to the trees such that they come as close as they can to missing them, but still end up in them, way out of our reach.

But now, SoAR has a secret weapon. SoAR is now the proud parent of a forty-foot telescoping fiberglass pole used by fire departments for knocking kittens out of tall trees....imagine what it can do for our rockets!

The pole comes with ten-pound counterweights to make it manageable at full extension.

At each SoAR launch, there will be a bucket (white, about 12" diameter) that is designated as Dale Windsor's Bucket O'Rockets. Land any part of your rocket in that bucket and you'll win a jackpot of rocket kits. If no one gets in the bucket at a launch, the prizes will roll over to the next launch, and another prize will (occasionally) be added!

The current list of prizes (as of February 2008):

• limited edition Roachwerks Saturn IB kit
• Estes SpaceShipOne
• ASP WAC Corporal
• Estes Scissor-Wing Transport (the newest re-issue)
• NOVA ASP