mercedes/honda posted on September 11, 2009
Look in the sky. What do you think you see? You wonder what this object is but cannot quite put your finger on it. Is it a bird? Is it a plane? What if it is Superman? Stop wondering and look closer; it is a rocket from the Benson High Rocket Club.
If you happen to peer in room 239 you will find the Rocket club preparing for the Team America Rocketry Challenge (TARC).
Rocket club was formed with the help of Mr. Michael W. Perry in hopes of teaching students about rocketry and for the sheer fun factor.
“David Austerberry (Benson graduate) was the one that wanted to start a rocket club,” Perry said. “He just needed a sponsor for it and I said that I would help.”
As one might imagine, rocket club is all about learning about and building rockets. The type of rocket and style depends on what the competition is asking for.
“We have built high power rockets that require FAA flight clearance to launch,” Perry said. “We have also done outreach with elementary schools and launched small rockets.”
In fact, this year the rocket club will be putting together a rocket that must have a streamer recovery which is a mechanism acting like a parachute, and a 45 second flight time with an altitude of 825 feet while transporting a raw egg that must not be broken.
After the rockets are built it all comes down to how far they are able to fly.
“Some of the big ones can go miles,” Perry said. “The contest this year is 825 feet. Any over and under we will lose points.”
As far as the competition part of it goes the rocket club competes in the TARC and has contests every now and then.
"In order to compete in the TARC we have to submit a qualifying flight certified by the National Association of Rocketry (NAR) mentor," said Perry.
Besides competing in the TARC the rocket club has also worked for NASA in the invitation only Student Launch Initiative.
"Working for NASA was really cool and also hard work," said Perry. "We learned a lot about how they do their work at the Marshall Space Flight Center."
For someone who dreams to work for NASA joining the rocket club would be a pretty good idea and a perfect experience for the future.
If you are interested and want to check out the club you can find Mr. Perry in room 239 for information on the first day of the meet. However if you are not able to talk to Perry keep an eye on the vodcast and listen for the day of the meeting.
Story by: Mercedes Schwerman