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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
August 12th Mill Springs Launch Report
Thirty-two participants plus a good many supporting friends and family members came out for the August 12th SoAR launch event at Mill Springs Academy. Other than the heat and humidity, the day was great for rocketry with only slight winds off and on throughout the morning and early afternoon. Many rockets were recovered close to the launching area. For this event there were a...
July 8th Mill Springs Launch Report
The July 8th Mill Springs Academy launch event was well attended with many families coming out for the first time to enjoy a summer day of rocketry. Range setup was completed by the 9:00 event start time under very warm and humid conditions under sunny skies. As the day progressed the moderate wind provided some relief to the rising temperatures but challenged those seeking higher...
June 24th Dawsonville Launch Report
The launch pads stayed busy at the SoAR Dawsonville launch event on June 24th. Gusting winds were prevalent throughout the day and made some recoveries a bit of a walk, but also helped moderate the summer heat in the afternoon. Clear skies in the morning encouraged an excellent turn-out with a total of thirty-six participants who accomplished 120 launches. The parking, rocket...
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?
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.