The RocketScience project was developed by the Tulsa Rocketry Club to offer launch services for small student-developed science experiments. Participating schools gain no-cost access to payload space on a large high-power payload rocket developed by Tulsa Rocketry.

Goals of the RocketScience project include:

1. Develop and launch a payload rocket carrying student experiments to an altitude of approximately 1 mile and return the payloads for post-flight analysis
2. Provide the opportunity for interested students to develop airborne science experiments.
3. Expose high-school students to science and engineering challenges involved in developing airborne science payloads.
4. Help students develop project management skills necessary to succeed in aerospace and/or engineering career fields.
5. Provide a community service by offering rocketry expertise to high school science classes.

The payload rocket was developed by members of Tulsa Rocketry and is capable of carrying 9 payload canisters per flight. The rocket is 10 inches in diameter, stands over 9 feet tall and weighs 52 pounds in flight trim. Depending on the rocket motor configuration, the rocket is capable of achieving altitudes between 5,000 and 10,000 feet.

The 2011 flight of the Tulsa Rocketry Club’s ‘RocketScience’ payload rocket, carrying student-developed science payloads, happened during the May club launch at the launch site near Leonard, OK. The rocket reached an altitude of 4800ft. Pictures of the 2011 RocketScience flight are posted.

Here is a video of the 2011 flight courtesy of Jeff Chaplin. You can see other videos of the flight at www.YouTube.com/rocketmanjeff.

The student designed payloads must follow the published Payload Guidelines and fit within the provided payload canister. (Some ideas are listed here.)

Payload modules for the initial RocketScience flight were developed by students from Sperry Sand Springs and Union school systems. If you are from a school that would like to participate, please use the contact form below.

Student experiments carried on-board the rocket will be exposed to multiple forces during flight:

• Approximately +5 Gs at launch.
• Approximately -5 Gs at rocket motor burnout
• Zero-g for a few seconds at apogee, the peak of the rocket’s flight.

The payload may also be exposed to:

• Multiple forms of vibration
• Roll rates of up to 1 cycle per second.
• Ambient temperature drop of 3 to 5 degrees per 1000 feet of altitude

Students must take these factors into consideration when designing a payload experiment.

Tulsa Rocketry has made RocketScience an annual event. Teachers interested in participating or learning more about the project can contact Hal Ellis using the contact form above or call at 918-760-9754.

You can get the latest information and launch updates, as well as maps and directions to the launch site by checking this website. Also note that you can get RocketScience logo gear at the RocketScience Store.