Launch Info – NSW Rocketry Association

Our Launch Sites

NSWRA currently launches at two different locations:

Whalan Reserve – Low and Medium power launch days typically take place on the last Saturday of the month.
Mullaley – Low, Medium and HPR launch weekends typically take place twice a year in April/May and in August/September.

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Next Whalan launch:

Whalan June Launch

June 27 @ 9:00 am - 1:00 pmWhalan Reserve

Next Mullaley launch:

Mullaley Launch Weekend

September 5 - September 6Mullaley

For a complete list of all scheduled launches please see our Events Calendar.

Whalan Launch Restrictions

Total rocket mass no more than 1,500 grams.
Motors up to and including G.
No motors with propellant weight greater than 62.5g.
Members wishing to fly Medium Power Rockets (MPR – motors E to G) must have passed or be attempting their MPR assessment. See Certification Guidelines for further information.
Construction – no metal structural parts.
No Mylar parachutes or streamers.
Flights are permitted to an altitude of 1,000 feet above ground level (1,500 feet on calm days).

Mullaley Launch Restrictions

Members can only fly motors up to their certification level, unless they are attempting a certification flight.
Flights may be permitted to an altitude of 10,000 feet above ground level (subject to approvals).
Members will be asked to provide details of any HPR Level 2 or Level 3 flights prior to the launch.

For more details about launches at Mullaley, please see:

Mullaley Weekend Information

How to get to Whalan

View the Whalan launch site in Google Maps by clicking here.

Enter the reserve from Debrincat Avenue and continue along Catlin Close until you reach the radio controlled car racing track. There is a gate to the right of the car track that will be unlocked during launch days. Continue through the gate to the parking area at the launch site.

How to get to Mullaley

View the approximate Mullaley launch site in Google Maps by clicking here.

Attendees will be informed of the location before the launch and there will be signage placed at the turnoff to the launch site on the day.

Launch Sign In

At each launch members will be asked to go to the sign-in table where they should present evidence that they are members of both NSWRA and Tripoli.

Members will sign the Launch Liability Waiver form and be presented with a wrist band.

You must show the wrist band when you present your rocket for Flight Safety Review.

Accommodation

For Mullaley launch weekends most members stay in Gunnedah on Friday and Saturday night.

Gunnedah (approximately 30 minute drive from the launch site) has a wide range of motels, pubs and restaurants. For a list of Gunnedah accommodation please see the Visit NSW website.

Alternatively there is also accommodation available in Coonabarabran (approximately 45 minute drive from the launch site). For a list of Coonabarabran accommodation please see the Visit NSW website.

Volunteer Duties

All launch days are busy, so we invite members to volunteer for duties to help the launch to run smoothly.

Launch day duties include:

Setting up the range – Setting up launch rods/rails, launch control system, PA system, safety barrier and tables.
Check-In Desk – Staffing the check-in desk, checking membership lists and issuing wrist bands.
Flight Safety Review (FSR) – Examining rockets to ensure they meet all the criteria detailed in the Flight Safety Review Checklist.
Launch Control Officer (LCO) – Announcing and launching rockets in accordance with the LCO procedures.
Range Safety Officer (RSO) – Overall responsiblilty for ensuring the safety of the range. Must be HPR Level 2 or above.
Packing away the range – Very similar to setting up the range, but in reverse.

If you haven’t volunteered before and would like to get more familiar with a role we will be happy to organise for you to shadow a more experienced volunteer or work with a partner.

Thanks to the land owners

In the spirit of reconciliation NSWRA acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

We are very grateful to Blacktown City Council for the use of Whalan Reserve and to the Mullaley land owners for the use of their land. Our launches would not be possible without their ongoing support. Thank you.

NSWRA is a Prefecture of the Tripoli Rocketry Association

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