Below is a description of each position that may be needed and a layout of the field to help you organize your launch day.

Range Safety Officer - Yourself or the leader who is in charge. The RSO has the final say in all situations. The RSO carries the safety key at all times and checks the air-worthiness of all rockets.

Launch Control Officer - This person is responsible for actually firing the rocket (LCO). Control panel set-up and dismantling is also this person’s responsibility.

Tracking Officer - This person is responsible for the set-up, operation and coordination of the tracking sites (TO).

1-2 Tracking Site - These could consist of several positions at each site. Positions could include: tracking the rocket to measure its altitude, recording altitude data and a runner to communicate with the TO back at the launch pad.

Recovery Crews - Consist of several people who follow the flight, recover and return the rocket to the range head (RC).

Tracker 1 Tracker 2 Range Safety Officer Data Recording Table Preparation Table Recovery Team Launch Control Officer National or Club Flag Range-In-Operation Pennant (optional) Student-Observers Parking Area (optional) Launching Pad

In addition to the above suggestions, a table could be set up for preparation of the rockets before flight with someone responsible to coordinate the flow of rockets to the pad. After the data is recorded, another person could be responsible for collecting and compiling the individual data cards into one report.

Preparing for a launch day well in advance and rehearsing the various operations prior to a public performance will ensure a high level of safety and provide a well-coordinated program that everyone will enjoy. The importance of staging a launch day has its value in stressing teamwork during the ground operations while promoting good competition during the flight portion.

Cross training your students in all of the various roles mentioned above will familiarize them with the entire launch operation and increase the level of interaction each student experiences. The possibilities of a launch day are unlimited and it is a wonderful way to bring any rocket or space unit to a conclusion.

For more detailed information, consult the Estes Model Rocket Contest Guide (#2815) located in the publications section of our catalog.