KARS Update — Summer 2022

To All our KARS Friends,

As a result of my move out of NH and the ensuing pandemic (I promise – the two events were pure coincidence!), KARS launches have dropped off. Now that life is largely returning to normal, many people have asked if KARS launches will resume.

As much as we all want this to happen, we need be patient for a very good reason. The KARS launches have fallen onto Eric’s shoulders. Eric lives near the launch field and also stores the launch equipment on his property. However, at this time, Eric’s family situation needs his full attention and he is not presently able to commit to running launches. It is not clear at this time when this might change.

So I ask for patience, but also asking for help. If you would be willing to commit to helping or running a rocket launch, please e-mail me at mike underscore bellino at yahoo dot com. I will work with you and Eric to see if we can get the launches moving again.

Thank you all for your understanding, patience and consideration.

Cheers, Mike Bellino

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Next Launch: Saturday October 26th

While you’re all looking skyward for the Great Pumpkin to land this Halloween, you can send a few rockets up to greet said Great Pumpkin making his Halloween warm-up rounds about the clouds.

So…. Launch on Saturday Oct 26th from 1 to 3:30. Check your your e-mail for weather updates.

LAUNCH SATURDAY SEPT 28th

The weather looks perfect for launching rockets this weekend. Check Facebook event from the KARS site here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1124878551035122/

I will be setting up starting at 12:30 PM with the launch running from 1 to 3:30 PM as usual. Any help setting up or tearing down would be greatly appreciated.

We do not charge launch fees or have an official membership – just show up and fly rockets. If you want to come and spectate – Great! Bring the family.

~ Eric

GO FOR LAUNCH (with caveat)

We are GO FOR LAUNCH Saturday Aug 17th. The Caveat…. if the weather turns for the worse, Eric will make a scrub decision by 9AM. If there is no notice by 9AM, the launch will proceed as planned.

Thank You! And… Keeping KARS Flying High….

Fellow Rocketeers,

I wanted to send a personal thank you to all who attended the July launch, signed the card (so thoughtfully made by Marie and Jenny) and e-mailed many messages of kind words and good wishes: THANK YOU!!

It makes the departure very hard, but assuaged by many, many, many fond KARS moments to ponder as my prius and I drive down the highways and over the green hills to Virginia on the 9th.

As I have told many of you, I am and have been deeply rewarded by the excitement of the kids (little & big) who so thoroughly enjoy the fun, creativity, challenge and science of building and launching rockets.  For all the effort and sweat, I left every launch with a big smile mirroring the deep satisfaction in my heart.

Of course, none of this would have been possible without Eric who has shared the launch activities for the last decade and a half. Nor could I not mention David Stout who donated the launch system. Likewise, I have to thank our Landowners, Tim & Jenny Courser who have been unwavering and so generous in their support for allowing KARS to launch on their hay field.

As the page turns to close this chapter, the next page, you’ll notice, is blank. It awaits you to write your stories of fun and challenges in keeping KARS reaching for the stars. Eric has said he will keep the launches going, but he needs people to make commitments to help with set-up, tear down and launch control. (Note: for insurance purposes, you MUST be a member of the National Association of Rocketry to run the launch controller.)

If you can help Eric and keep KARS flying high, please contact Eric at:

• swanson.eric.m@gmail.com
• Home: 603-456-2561

Thank you, everyone! Keep the Pointy End Up!  

Cheers,

Mike Bellino

Pre-Launch Prep for Today’s Launch (July 20th)

For today’s launch, the temperature will be 91DegF and the humidity will be 48%. While this is not oppressive humidity, it will “feel like” 100DegF according to Wunderground. The winds will be about 7mph.

Given today’s expected heat, here are a few tips:

• Hydrate well this morning
• Wear and hat and sunscreen
• If possible, wear a dry-wick shirt
• Bring water (I’ll pick up some 1/2 liter bottles too)

Also remember – we do not have any restroom facilities at the field – Stop by the McDonald’s in Warner.

See you there!

Launch News, Fun News and Sad News……

Fellow Rocketeers,

 

LAUNCH NEWS

In spite of the heat, we WILL launch on Saturday from 1 to 3:30. Please bring sun screen and water. I will have 1/2 liters of water there in case you forget. I presume Eric will bring his pop-up tent for shade. Eric can’t stay the whole time, so if anyone can be available to help to break down and shuttle the equipment to the parking lot post launch, it will be greatly appreciated. The temps will be in the mid-90s and the winds will be just under 10mph. Please note: Moving the launch to Sunday won’t be helpful – just about the same weather.

FUN NEWS

Marie Mannion, of The Alan Shepard Project, has compiled some thoroughly entertaining videos based on KARS launches. She has a KARS page with videos and information. In particular, and in commemoration of the 50th Moon Landing, I want to draw your attention to her latest video which has lots of KARS video and pictures interspersed with facts about the Moon Shot of 5 decades ago. Gather the kids and watch it together – it is a treat to see.

Also, I discovered there is another rocket club in NH that launches during the winters on Lake Winnepisake. You can read more about them HERE.

SAD NEWS

It is with great regret, I must tell you all that I am leaving the area and this will likely be my last launch with KARS. Some of you may know that I have been looking for work since March and was unable to find suitable employment. Financially, this was a tremendous strain. As it turns out, I found a position with L3Harris as a Lead Principal Electrical Engineer in their Night Vision division. Unfortunately, for KARS, this means a relocation to Virginia. I start work on August 12th.

What does this mean for KARS? Well, Eric is committed to finishing out the 2019 season. He will need your help for setting up and breaking down the launches. Please reach out to Eric and let him know if he can count on your help. As for 2020, that will be up to Eric and whomever wants to continue this KARS tradition, now in it’s 15th year (first started in 2005).

As for me, you can bet that this is not the end of my rocket interest. I know there is a high power VA club not too far away, but I would certainly like to bring rocketry to the family and kids as Eric and I have done here in the Kearsarge area. I have been so honored to see a plurality of young folks grow up and into rocketry, aerospace and other sciences. I want to continue this ‘funnest’ form of STEM education in my new location and spread the excitement around.

Keep The Pointy End Up!

~ Mike Bellino

Chasing the Moon – FREE Screening in Derry, NH

Join New Hampshire PBS at Pinkerton Academy in Derry, the alma mater of New Hampshire’s favorite astronaut, Alan Shepard, for a screening event to preview the brand new American Experience series, Chasing the Moon. Commemorating the 50th anniversary of the moon landing, this special film will take you on a journey through the history of the space race.

Come get a sneak peek of this new program and get the inside scoop about space exploration in New Hampshire from the Observatory Director at the University of New Hampshire, John Gianforte. See just how much the Granite State has done for space science, from the first American in space to the study of radiation on the moon.

It’s sure to be a stellar night!

Click HERE for your free tickets!

Summer Launch Schedule

 

Month	Date	Status
June	8	GO FOR LAUNCH
July	20	Pending Weather
August	17	Pending Weather

We will post the launch dates for September, October and November probably sometime in August. Stay tuned!

GO FOR LAUNCH (Saturday June 8th)

Saturday’s weather is expected to be (in technical meteorological terms) “Just About Perfect”! Sunny skies, temps in the upper-70’s and winds under 10mph. Add a little whooshing sound and a touch of rocket smoke and you have a Absolutely Perfect Saturday.

The directions are on the website. The launch will be from 1 to 3:30PM.

See you there!