Category: Launch Announcements

We are GO for the July launch.  We are very short staffed this month so we would appreciate all the help we can get during and especially with clean up at the end of the day.  It will be hot as usual for July so we will be opening the range at 7am and more than likely closing down as early as 11am to noon.  

IMPORTANT – PLEASE READ……….  

For anyone looking to certify DO NOT SHOW UP AT 10am and expect to get your rocket on the pad and get your flight done.  You need to ARRIVE EARLY and be ready to get your rocket on the pad.  Do not plan to arrive at 10am and still need to prep your entire project.  Your project needs to be on the pad by 10am so it can be flown, recovered, inspected and signed off on before we start tearing down the range.  I’m not trying to discourage anyone with saying this but it is hot and we have had too many flyers show up an hour or less before we shut down and expect to get their flight done or tell us that “we just need 20 minutes to be ready” and an hour later still having a discussion on the best way to pack a chute. So, PLEASE ARRIVE EARLY AND BE READY is all I am asking so you have plenty of time and we are not waiting in the heat for someone to come back to get their paperwork signed.  Thank you for understanding and see you on the playa.

Gary Schneider 

ROC President 

* IMPORTANT UPDATE*

Due to the high winds today and even higher winds on Sunday we will be closing the range at 2pm Saturday and not opening on Sunday.

Gary Schneider
ROC President

Gary Schneider ROC President

**** IMPORTANT UPDATE****

Rocstock Weather & Playa Conditions Advisory

Timing changes daily but current weather forecasts for the Lucerne Dry Lake area indicate a slight chance for scattered light precipitation Saturday and / or Sunday with Saturday afternoon currently presenting the highest risk.  The range will be open Friday morning until approximately 5pm, 8am to approximately 5pm Saturday and 8am until noon on Sunday.  Times may change based on conditions.

While conditions may remain favorable, even light rainfall for an extended period can degrade the lakebed surface, creating slick mud and potentially impassable conditions for vehicles.

Please be advised:

– All participants enter and drive onto the playa at their own risk

– Surface conditions can change quickly and may not be visibly apparent

– Vehicles may become stuck with little warning

– Rocketry Organization of California (ROC) is NOT responsible for vehicle recovery

We strongly recommend:

– Avoid driving on the lakebed if rain has occurred or surface conditions appear soft

– Walking the area before driving if conditions are uncertain

– Bringing recovery gear (tow straps, traction boards, etc.)

– Using caution, especially during and after any precipitation

We will continue to monitor conditions and provide updates as needed.

Fly safe and be prepared.  Hope to see everyone on the playa.  

Gary Schneider 

ROC President 

Due to very wet conditions on the lakebed the January launch is CANCELLED. Hope everyone had a great Christmas and New Year and got some cool rockets from Santa to build and see you in February, fingers crossed!!

Gary Schneider
ROC President

Current lakebed conditions are good BUT there is a lot of standing water on the north side of the main road in. STAY ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE ROAD! We will have cones marking the path so just follow the cones and don’t cross over until the porta potties. Remember you are entering at your own risk and arriving at night is not recommend. If you try and go through standing water or ditches with water and get stuck we have no way to pull you out.

Gary Schneider
ROC President

Currently the December 13th. launch and annual pizza lunch is GO! The lakebed is still damp in certain areas and there is water in some of the ditches and gullies but the road appears to be passable. We will be checking conditions again this week and will post updates if deemed necessary. NO UPDATES AFTER THIS POST MEANS LAUNCH IS ON AS SCHEDULED. As with the last couple launches just be careful driving in and watch for ditches to avoid by going around. We will try and have them marked with cones.

Range will open by 8am and continue until between 12noon and 1pm weather pending as always. 2026 membership cards will be available at registration for pickup.

ROC will also be hosting our Holiday Pizza Lunch on the lakebed at approximately 12:30pm as our way of saying Thank You to everyone for another successful year of rocket launches. Pizza and dessert will be provided. Please bring your own drinks.

Happy Holidays and looking forward to seeing everyone on the playa.

Gary Schneider
ROC President