Activities

Indiana Rocketry Inc. maintains a proud tradition of supporting STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education in schools around the Lafayette area. Aside from the visceral thrill of demonstration launches, our membership has performed multimedia presentations and in-classroom demonstrations for chemistry, mathematics, and physics classes at up to a 12th grade/Advanced Placement level on a broad range of rocketry topics, including: General rocket physics – Newton’s laws of motion, free body diagramming the forces on a rocket, the rocket equation, performance prediction, launch vehicle control and trajectory design. Rocket aerodynamics – lift, drag, fin planform and airfoil design, supersonic drag prediction & shock waves. Rocket propulsion – combustion of solid and liquid propellants, basic propellant chemistry, thermodynamics of fluid flow (including compressible flow for nozzles). Spacecraft dynamics – basic orbital mechanics, precession and nutation, mission design. Aerospace structures – composite materials, challenges of engine fabrication, basic problems with stiffness & elasticity. Get in touch with us if you’d like more information on our presentation or demonstration capabilities. Education is part of our mission statement; after all, several of our members are teachers and professors, and are incredibly passionate about sharing the excitement of rocketry. Recent presentations have occurred in classes at: Central Catholic Junior/Senior High School (AP Physics C, AP Chemistry). Harrison High School (Advanced Chemistry). Jefferson High School (Introduction to Aerospace Engineering class). Tecumseh Jr High School (Junior/Senior-level physics class). In addition, Indiana Rocketry, Inc. is highly involved with several colleges and universities in various rocketry related events such as the NASA Student Launch. Universities that have used our field include: Purdue University, Rose-Hullman, Notre Dame, University of Illinois, University of Louisville, Northwestern University.

Launches

PRIMARY: Pence HP Launch Field, 40d 23' 12.38" N; 87d 30' 40.62" W. From Pence, Indiana, go NORTH on County Road N 1000 W, 8,868 feet (1.68 miles) to the launch field on the left. Park in the grass on the North side of the lot. 709 ft. MSL. SECONDARY: Purdy Sod Farm, 40d 20' 12.71" N; 86d 54' 4.27" W. From McCutheon High School on OLD US 231 South in Lafayette, Indiana, go South 4,262 feet (0.8 miles) on Old US 231, through the swinging gate, off the paved road, turn LEFT just before the tool shed, follow the dirt road around to the launch field. Park on the RIGHT side (NOT on the sod). There are NO sanitary facilities on site. Bring a picnic lunch or there is fast food 3.4 miles NORTH on OLD US 231. 650 ft. MSL.

HPR

HP Launches November (after fall harvest) through April (before spring planting) at Pence HP Launch Field. Waiver: 16,000 feet MSL.

Meetings

BOD meetings are typically held once a month, usually on the first Sunday night of the month, and run from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Club business is conducted, along with a general discussion of rocketry-related topics. All club members and visitors are welcome to attend. BOD meetings are held in the upstairs conference room at: Rowe Truck Equipment, 2500 Veterans Memorial Parkway East, Lafayette, IN 47905.