MTA Launch Event, 2023-11-24

by Dave Nordling, President, RRS.ORG


The RRS met at the Mojave Test Area for a work event on the 60-foot launch rail project. While we were there, we had a launch or two thanks to Bill Inman and Keith Yoerg. The pyrotechnic operator in charge for that day was Keith Yoerg.

Bill brought one of his older rocket bodies. Unfortunately he had a mishandling error on the pad which broke one of his fins requiring repair. His mission was to test the avionics package that he will use in flight on the Solar Cat. Keith launched some smaller Estes model rockets to show one of our youngest potential members the basics of rocketry.

The work event benefited from having Osvaldo Tarditti, Joe Dominguez and Dimitri Timohovich moving the donated ham radio tower to the 40-foot flatbed next to Bldg. 11 for inspection. The goal was to fully extend the tower and examine its condition to see what modifications are necessary to use it in our 60-foot launch rail design.

Our thanks goes to member, Waldo Stakes, for finding and donating this old galvanized steel ham radio tower which can be reinforced, modified and slightly lengthened to create the stiff backbone for the launch rail guide. The tower was designed to be extensible, but the society will fully extend and fuse it at its full length. Several areas of repair were identified but with a little persistence and forcible persuasion, the structure was extended in preparation for the next event when our welder will start the initial work at the next work event in 2 weeks.

Our director of research, Rushd Julfiker, was selected as the project manager for this major infrastructure item that should allow university teams to launch from the RRS Mojave Test Area. With the basic requirements set at the first meeting, the sketches produced will be converted to CAD drawing files with Rushd’s assistance. Initial material procurement will begin as the backbone frame has been found to be acceptable for use in the design.

The loads are being carefully calculated along with sizing the dual-acting hydraulic ram system for raising and lowering. Waldo Stakes also found a pair of 3-inch cylinders and an electric hydraulic pump in surplus and donated them to the society. Their specifications are being assessed if they can be used which would save some costs.

In the days following the event, we put in wooden privacy panels in the windows of Bldg’s 14 and 15 both for security and improved insulation. The society will soon be discussing how to minimally furnish the interiors for functional needs only including some storage of our consumables. No pyrotechnics will be stored in these containers. Both Bldg 14 and 15 have air conditioners and insulation but still require connections to power. In the short term, each can be powered by our portable gasoline generator. In the near term, once fully funded the society will power both assets from a larger diesel generator we recently acquired.

Dimitri spoke about finding another 40-foot container which could be used for an on-site workshop at the RRS MTA (potentially new Bldg. 16). The council will have to consider this addition at the next meeting.

Lastly, Dimitri installed a solar powered light just above one of the restroom doors which will help our overnight guests find their way to sanitary relief on a moonless night.

Our launch pad pour was delayed to December 9th due to concrete availability. We’re making it thicker than most anticipating the greater loads of the launch rail structure. Our next work event at the MTA will coincide with the pad pour where we will continue the 60-foot launch rail work starting with the launch rail backbone. Materials will be procured in advance of the next meeting.

Also, our last monthly meeting of the year will be the day before, December 8th, 7:30pm, where election results for next year’s executive council will be announced. Also, it was declared that the December meeting will be our much anticipated pizza party funded by the accumulated funds from the RRS Amazon Smile account, now discontinued. Please arrive early at the front office of the Compton/Woodley Airport.


April 2023 meeting

by Joel Cool-Panama, Secretary, RRS.ORG


The Reaction Research Society held its monthly meeting at the Mary Star of the Sea High School, 7:30 PM PST. We went over the agenda quickly as the symposium preparations for the next day were underway.

Agenda topics of the meeting were:

  • Symposium in preparation
    • Model rocket flights at Mary Star High School were not approved
    • Mark Holthaus of FAR confirmed to attend
  • RRS charitable trust status being examined
  • Jim Gross’ eletrical firing video to be hosted over Zoom
    • permission granted for educational purposes
      • DVD will be donated to the RRS
  • RRS invited to LMU’s Engineering Design Showcase
    • Dave plans to attend
  • Pyro-op recommendation letters (Larry)
  • UCLA Capstone and Frank school launch both on June 10 at MTA
  • Bill Claybaugh next launch on Saturday, April 22nd

Current Events

The first topic of discussion at this month’s meeting was that LAFD did not approve the model rocket launch at the RRS Symposium. Paper rockets will be flowninstead.

In addition to this good news, it was also revealed that some additional attendees would be present, in addition to those already known. These include Mark Holthaus of FAR, as well as the Lander Challenge project. Unfortunately, it was also revealed that Northrop Grumman had pulled their attendance from the event.

The topic of the RRS’ charitable trust status was also discussed. It seems that California has changed some annual requirements for renewal. The RRS intends to seek answers regarding the changes. The RRS is a registered 501(c)3 educational nonprofit group in California.

There is some good news for those seeking their pyro-op licenses, though. Jim Gross has announced that he will allow his video watch meeting to be hosted over Zoom. Several members are seeking their Class 2 license and need letters of recommendation for their applications..

Continuing in the vein of pyro-op recommendation letters, some have had questions about the standards that license holders use to write them. The topic has been tabled until the next meeting on May 12th..

In regards to public events, the RRS has been invited to Loyola Marymount University’s Engineering Design Showcase event, set to occur on April 28th. RRS President Dave Nordling is set to attend, but the event is open to the public, so any society member may attend if they are so interested.

Bill Claybaugh has a launch event planned at the MTA next Saturday and it is on track. It is expected that his six-inch diameter solid rocket will reach an altitude of 69,000 feet and be recovered within 5 nautical miles of the launch site, but there are some weather concerns regarding the launch day. It was also mentioned that air traffic control wants to have a single point of contact from all waiver holders. For launches from the RRS MTA, this will be the President.

In additon to Bill’s launch, there is also a UCLA launch planned for June 10th. This is the senior capstone project for this year which will be F and G sized model rockets. Vice-President Frank Miuccio coincidentally also has a model rocket class on location that same day, so the two groups are likely to share the MTA.

The next society meeting will be on May 12th, 2023, at the Compton/Woodley Airport location. Contact the secretary for details.


September 2022 meeting

by Keith Yoerg, Secretary, RRS.ORG


The Reaction Research Society held our monthly meeting on September 9th. It was the first in-person meeting in 31 months We met at the front office of the Compton/Woodley Airport at our usual starting time of 7:30pm. This was a new location for us and we are grateful to the staff of Los Angeles County for their hospitality.

We still held our teleconference which continues to allow our members living far from the city to join us. We will stay at this location for the next two more meetings to decide if this will be our permanent location.

September meeting agenda

  1. Review of recent MTA/rocket events:
  2. Upcoming MTA events
    • Bathroom work to continue this month
    • New concrete launch pad
    • USC RPL testing campaign
  3. Catching-up in person

This is a placeholder until the full meeting minutes can be transferred.

Our next meeting will be on October 14 at the same location at the front office of the Compton/Woodley Airport. We will meet every 2nd Friday of each month. Contact the RRS secretary for information.