Next Launch

Mar 23 2024
Alpharetta

Next Meeting

Apr 11 2024
Roswell

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Come to a launch!

Most of our launches are open to the public and free to attend. You can come and just watch, or you can join in!  Starter sets and kits suitable for ages 8 to adult are available at local stores.  You don’t need a launcher or launch system — we provide that! We can show you how to set up your rocket. At most of our high-power launches, our on-site vendor can provide engines (we call ’em motors!) and any other last minute supplies.

Latest News

Dawsonville ‘Replacement’ Launch Event Report

Dawsonville ‘Replacement’ Launch Event Report

At the SoAR “replacement” launch event on March 16th at Dawsonville there were twenty-six participants launching a total of eighty-four rockets.  The day started off mostly cloudy and cool but became sunnier and warmer during the afternoon.  Winds from the west were persistent but manageable with a bit of adjustment to the launch rod angle. Some impressive flights included Chris Lucas’ LOC...

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February Dawsonville Launch Event Report

February Dawsonville Launch Event Report

The wind was fierce and unrelenting; but nonetheless, there were thirty-three participants who arrived at the February 24th launch event at Dawsonville ready for the challenge.  By the end of the event there were sixty-two launches accomplished.  Although many chose streamer recovery (wisely), there were still some very long recovery walks. Some of the highlights included James...

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February Mill Springs Launch Report

February Mill Springs Launch Report

For a day that initially looked questionable due to a rainy weather forecast a few days out, the launch event at Mill Springs Academy on February 10th turned out to be excellent.  There were twenty-one participants launching sixty-seven rockets into an overcast sky.  Winds were minimal at the start, built up some mid-event and then moderated again during the final hour. Standouts...

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About SoAR

Who are we?

SoAR is the National Association of Rocketry chartered club for model rocket enthusiasts in North Georgia. For twenty-five years we have provided a proving ground for techniques, training, and safe launch support. SoAR welcomes all ages and skill levels.

What are sport rockets?

In simplest terms, a sport rocket is a flying model that takes off vertically under rocket power, climbing to great heights before deploying a parachute or other recovery method to slow the return of the model to the ground, ready to fly again. These models can be a few inches tall and weigh less than an ounce, or they can be up to 20 feet tall and weigh over 500 pounds.

Where do we launch?

We meet at Mill Springs Academy in Milton on the second Saturday of each month to fly model rockets.  Because that field is a bit on the small side, we try to meet again on the fourth Saturday at a larger field to fly larger model rockets.  That might be near Dawsonville, or it may be in South Georgia (where the really big fields are!).

Where Can I Fly My Rocket?

A dilemma faced by many: “I, or my son or daughter, received a model rocket for Christmas (or birthday, or graduation, or other occasion). Where do we go to launch it?”  So here is a short guide to flying a model rocket in the metro Atlanta area.

First of all, understand that most park systems in the metro area have rules against flying objects of any type. Sometimes you can go fly a rocket or two in your local park, but at some point a friendly park or police officer will come by and say you can’t do that.

That said, there is one park where we have gotten assurances that model rockets are allowed: Garrard Landing Park on Holcomb Bridge Rd near the Chattahoochee River. The entrance to the park is in front of the Johns Creek Environmental Campus; just follow the signs back to the park. Garrard Landing is suitable for the average Estes beginner rockets.

Schools, church athletic fields, and, of course, private property can sometimes be used if you approach the appropriate people first.

The best advice we can give is for you to wait and attend one of SoAR’s launches, where you don’t have to worry about permission, or even whether your launch equipment works, since we provide it, along with free recovery wadding (if you don’t know what that is yet, don’t worry)!

We try to have two launches a month: one in Alpharetta for smaller model rockets, and one at another location for all model rockets. And then we have our GRITS launch in south Georgia at Thanksgiving for rockets of all types.

And keep checking the web site. You never know when we’ll find other locations where we can fly.