Rocket launch planned at Bonne Terre

BONNE TERRE, Mo. -- Two notable amateur rocket launches have been in the Black Rock Desert in Nevada. An ancient lake bed, it is a vast expanse of exceptionally flat, unpopulated desert. And a magnet for record breakers.

The sand flats north of Bonne Terre are hardly known for records or rocket science, but they are flat and big enough to be part of what may be a third notable noncommercial rocket launch someday -- or at least a few of the tests leading up to it.

The Space Museum in Bonne Terre is teaming up with the General Aviation Space Group to launch a rocket from the flats at 11 a.m. July 18.

Though part of a preliminary test, the Aurora I rocket is large enough its launch had to be approved by the FAA. It is 6 feet tall, 4 inches in diameter and weighs 6 pounds with payload.

The launch is the first in a series of tests aimed at sending a small satellite into low Earth orbit. The Astra will be 7 inches in diameter and will carry with it the names of contributors who have supported the groups efforts.

It will take a three-stage rocket to send Astra into space and that will be too powerful to launch in Bonne Terre. That will most likely have to take place at Black Rock Desert. If successful, it will be the first enthusiasts' satellite launch.

"There's a buzz already in Bonne Terre about us," said Gary Streeter at a recent Chamber of Commerce meeting. "It's going to be very whiz-bang and wow-cool -- a rocket going off in Bonne Terre! As word gets out, Bonne Terre is going to be the place to be."

He says a Discovery Channel reporter has asked to film the July 18 launch for a documentary.

The sand flats were chosen as a phase one test site for the GASG project because of their flatness, relative isolation and proximity to the Belleville-based group. It will be an ideal test site for recovery devices, fuel formulations and motor innovations leading up to the satellite's launch, Streeter said.

GASG is a $2 million mission funded by private donations, dreams and a little determination.

The group has an advisory board that includes astronaut Dick Richards and other notable names in aviation. Many of the club's members also work in aerospace or aviation.