What to Know as a Spectator

 

Participating in a UROC rocket launch event is enjoyable for the whole family. Apart from the exhilarating flights, these launches offer a chance to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and revel in the fresh air, sunshine, and expansive landscapes of the Utah Desert. If you intend to be a spectator at a UROC launch, here are some key points to remember.

 

Launch Times and Scheduling

The indicated range hours for launches are approximate. Factors like field and road conditions, weather elements like wind, rain, cold temperatures, and other external influences can affect the launch schedule. In case of uncertain conditions, it's advisable to check the latest updates on scheduling at www.uroc.org. UROC reserves the right to cancel a launch without prior notice.

The published range hours represent the boundaries within which launches will take place, meaning there will be no launches before the start time or after the closing time. Our launches are regulated by a waiver with the FAA, specifying fixed start and stop times.

Typically, the flyers arrive early in the day and begin launching shortly after the waiver start time. To catch a glimpse of the rockets as a spectator, the best time to arrive is early, except on particularly cold, windy, or drizzly days, when things might kick off slowly in hopes of improved conditions.

If it's a slow day and all the rocket launches are complete, we may pack up and depart early. During our bigger multi-day launch events, such as RRC3, HellFire, and URNuts, final-day launches usually conclude early. Regardless of weather conditions, for major launches, if you want to witness numerous rockets, aim to be there by around 10 or 11 AM on Saturday and plan to stay until 4 or 5 PM.

 

There is no prearranged schedule of events. Almost all projects are individual endeavors, and each rocketeer has their own aspirations and limitations to consider. Sometimes, there may be lull periods with no launches, while other times, there might be consecutive launches of dozens of rockets. Specific projects might occasionally announce a launch window or time frame, but the time is usually adjusted or canceled for good reasons. Believe that the flyers are more disappointed than anyone when a scrub occurs, but it's usually in the interest of the flight's success and safety.

In the winter months, there might be just a handful of flyers with no more than a dozen or so flights. There is hardly any way to predict if massive rockets will be launched at a particular launch.

Launch Operations and Flights

 

Spectators must always remain behind the flight line. There will be a marked barrier indicating the flight line. It is mandatory to stay behind the flight line; launches will not occur if anyone is beyond it.

The Launch Control Officer (LCO) will announce the flight. The announcement includes the flyer's name, the rocket's name, the motor used, and a countdown to launch. The LCO might also provide additional details about the rocket, including any onboard electronics, or may announce a "heads-up" flight. If a "heads-up" is announced, everyone should be alert and ready to respond to any anomalies during the flight or recovery. Small children should be close to their parents or in their parents' arms during "heads-up" flights.

Model rocket or mid-power flights typically occur from the nearest set of launch pads, while high-power flights occur from sets of pads further back from the flight line. Rocket Motors' total power is categorized by an alphabetic nomenclature that can give you an idea of what to expect from the announced flight. Small model rockets from the nearby launch pads will have an A, B, C, or D class motor designation. For instance, the LCO might announce, "On pad twenty-one, John Smith is flying his Estes Alpha on a B Six Four (B6-4) in three... two... one." The small rocket on Pad 21 will whoosh and head skyward. Mid-power rockets have motors of impulse class E through G. High-power rockets start with H impulse motors and are typically louder and faster. UROC launches have previously featured rockets with O impulse motors, which are incredibly powerful. Paying attention will quickly give you a general sense of the speed and power of the rocket being launched from the LCO's announcement.

 

A typical rocket flight consists of a powered ascent, which is when the motor burns its fuel, followed by a coasting period after the motor burns out as the rocket ascends due to the momentum generated by the motor. There's an ejection event (or "pop") near the apex of the flight that deploys a parachute, leading to a controlled descent back to the ground under a streamer or 'chute. Many high-power rockets deploy a small parachute (the "drogue 'chute") at the apex and descend quickly to a predetermined altitude where another ejection event occurs, deploying a much larger main parachute to bring the rocket safely back to Earth.

Sometimes, things can go wrong during a rocket flight's launch or recovery phase. Paying attention to the flights and all announcements and warnings is essential. Even if the flight is flawless, a large rocket descending under a parachute can land in the spectator area. Therefore, if you hear a "heads-up" warning, take action to locate the rocket and protect yourself and others under your care.

Some Safety Rules

• Never attempt to catch a rocket descending under a parachute.
  
  
• Never approach a rocket caught in power lines. Do not try to retrieve a rocket from power lines.
  
  
• Spectators, especially children, should not approach or pick up a rocket that has landed after a flight. Most flyers prefer to conduct an initial assessment of the rocket immediately after landing, especially if the flight or recovery wasn't standard. The rocket's owner may permit someone other than themselves to approach or retrieve the rocket, which is acceptable.
  
  
• Parents should always know where their children are and ensure they know the safety rules.

Rocketry is Fun!

 

Make the most of your time at the launch. If you have any questions about what you're witnessing, most rocketeers will be happy to discuss rocketry and UROC with you. Some individuals, such as the Launch Control Officer (LCO) and Range Safety Officer (RSO), are 'on duty' during launch operations and might be unable to stop and chat. During slow periods, the RSO should be able to answer your questions or direct you to another UROC member or club officer who can help.