Category: Launch Announcements

Our November ROCStock is GO for launch.  Yes, the forecast does show possibility of some light showers and more importantly windy conditions.  Your guess is as good as ours as to how the conditions will ultimately be.  We will have the range open as much as possible over the weekend as weather permits.  Be aware that depending on conditions we may have to cease operations until conditions improve or if it appears that conditions will not improve or further deteriorate we may cut the launch short and close down for the weekend early. In this case we will need as much help as possible to get the range torn down and packed up.  It will be a wait and see condition, simple as that. The ROC crystal ball is the same as yours so what you see in the future is the same as what we see, just a big ??? regarding what the overall conditions will be.. With that said, please use caution when arriving and driving on the lakebed.  In the event of winds be sure to secure your easy ups, tents, anything that can blow away or take them down.

We plan on having the range open Friday morning and launching until 4pm, Saturday from about 8am until 4pm-ish with possible night flights from around 7:30-ish until 10pm and Sunday 8am until about noon.  All pending weather conditions of course.  Our annual membership meeting will take place near registration at 4:30 pm or earlier depending on weather conditions.  Discount Rocketry and Rocket Supplies have indicated they will be in attendance. Looking forward to seeing everyone on the playa for hopefully a fun weekend of launching, favorable conditions, stories around the campfire and catching up with good friends.

Gary Schneider

ROC President

The ROC Board has been assessing the conditions of the lakebed and has made the decision to cancel the launch this weekend 9/12.  All roads in have significant amounts of standing water which makes for unsafe conditions as well as porta potties not being able to be delivered which we need onsite per our BLM permit.  We apologize for the inconvenience but safety of everyone needs to be considered as well as safe driving conditions when accessing the lakebed.  FYI – XPRS is being held next weekend in Black Rock Nevada.    See everyone next month.

Gary Schneider 

ROC President 

We are GO for the August launch.  It will be hot as usual for August so we will be opening the range at 7am and WILL BE CLOSING DOWN AT 11am as it is forecast to be 100 degrees by then. No Exceptions.  

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.  If you do not have your certification flight on the pad by 10:30am it will not be launched.

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 10:30 am 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 which person is going to fold the parachute, who is going to pack the chute, or someone asking how to prep and load the motor.  With the exception of loading the motor these things should have all been discussed and prepped beforehand.  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

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