NARHAMS Model Rocket Club

The NARHAMS model rocket club serves Maryland and the Washington Metropolitan Area. The club is an official chapter section of the National Association of Rocketry (NAR). First established in 1965, NARHAMS is the oldest continuously operating model rocket club in the United States and was named Section of the Year for 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2004, 2006, and 2007. We are also the National Championship section for 2001 and 2004.

Next Launch:	Aug 15, 12:00 pm Mt. Airy, MD Theme: Open	Mt. Airy, MD Weather Forecast
Next Meeting:	Aug 1, 5:30 pm Online Topic: Unicopters
If a launch is postponed or cancelled, it will be updated here by 6 pm the day prior. Launch is assumed to be a GO unless otherwise noted.

COVID-19 Notice to Rocketeers from NARHAMS - May 11, 2020

NARHAMS had taken note of the easing of some of the COVID-19 social distancing restrictions. Maryland governor Hogan has issued a new executive order which assigns the decisions to open outdoor public spaces for the purposes of large gatherings into the hands of the local health officer for each Maryland county. While this may sound like progress, most of the social distancing guidelines applicable to us as an organization remain in place.

Gatherings for social, recreational and sport events of more than 10 people are still prohibited at all Maryland locations and venues. Planned large events remain cancelled until after the termination of the state of emergency in Maryland.

In addition to monitoring the State of Maryland orders, NARHAMS monitors the guidelines issued by the National Association of Rocketry (NAR). The NAR's previous policy was to prohibit all scheduled events. Effective April 28th the NAR updated its policy on scheduled section and NRC events to advise that all NAR sections are to follow all applicable national, state, and local requirements, restrictions, and recommendations for the physical location of the events. We also monitor the status of the NASA Goddard Visitor Center to public gatherings. The Visitor Center remains closed and its events remain cancelled until further notice.

Kindly note that the NARHAMS Calendar of Events now lists our events through May 2020 as cancelled. ECRM-47, originally scheduled for June 20-21 has been postponed to September 19 and will be a one day only event (no after-party picnic, sorry). NARHAMS has made the tough decision to proactively cancel the annual Apollo Contest at the NASA Goddard Visitor Center -- which would have taken place in July.

Our monthly meetings are currently scheduled as webinar events only. See the top of the calendar page for a link to receive the log in information for the meeting webinars.

Just to reiterate - we will not rush to re-engage in our activities just because we can. We have little appetite to start our re-engagement with an activity that traditionally has drawn several dozen participants. We intend to ramp up our activities in a progressive manner that places a priority on the public health of our membership and guests.

June Launch Cancelled

The June launch at Mt. Airy has been cancelled.

ECRM-47 Postponed

ECRM-47 has been postponed. It is now scheduled as a 1-day event on September 19. There well not be a picnic, but please stay for the night launch!

Goddard Launches Cancelled

Goddard Visitor Center closed to the public on March 13. Therefore, NARHAMS launches at Goddard are cancelled until further notice.

New Launch Site Approved

NARHAMS has received approval for a launching at a new site in Carroll County. The new site is at Krimgold Park, 5355 Woodbine Road (MD Route 94) near Woodbine, MD.

Site is limited to G-powered models and below (same as Mt. Airy). No vehicles or pop-up tents are allowed on the grass, and no PA system is allowed.

Come on out to check out the field, do some fun flying, or get in some TARC practice flights!

Apollo 11 Moon Landing Contest Results

Congratulations to the winners of the Apollo 11 50th Anniversary Moon Landing Contest that was held on July 20 at NASA Goddard Visitor Center.

Junior 1st Alex Fatula (4.21m)
Junior 2nd Talon Hoover (4.61m)
Junior 3rd Hunter McCracken (6.10m)
Senior 1st Evan Bestic (2.15m)
Senior 2nd Ed Fatula (3.76m)
Senior 3rd John Shafer (4.39m)

NAR announcement
Full results

Mt. Airy Launches

Club launches are held on the third Saturday of every month, weather permitting, at Old National Pike Park in Mt. Airy, Maryland. The field can support up to G-powered motors with the appropriate FAA waivers. Launch times vary throughout the year, so be sure to check the Calendar for details. Our launches are always open to non-club members who wish to fly. NARHAMS provides launch controllers and pads with 1/8", 3/16", and 1/4" rods, as well as 1010 and 20mm rails.

Please do not contact Frederick County Parks with questions about launches. Instead, email questions to any of the following people:
Alex Mankevich
Sarah Jackson
Jim Miers

Directions to Mt. Airy Field

Goddard Launches

NARHAMS also supports the oldest public demonstration launches in the United States. These launches are held on the first Sunday of each month at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, starting at 1 pm. Anyone who wishes to fly at these events may do so. Due to the limited recovery area, the flying of high power models and untested designs is discouraged. The impulse limit at Goddard is D engine or less.

Directions to Goddard

Meetings

Meetings are usually held on the first Saturday of each month, starting at 5:30 pm, at the College Park Airport. The first part of the meeting will be a building session or discussion. The business meeting will start around 7 pm, and will end around 9 pm. Any leftover items will get discussed over a late dinner at Ledo's.

The next scheduled meeting is August 1

Directions

Becoming a Member

If this sounds like fun, why not become a member? Dues are only 10 cents a week, with 50 cents minimum required to join. Download the membership form and send it in today!

Please note that to be eligible to vote at club meetings or to compete as a member of NARHAMS, you must also:
a) be a current member of the NAR
b) attend at least one of the previous 3 monthly business meetings

Mailing List

The NARHAMS mailing list is primarily for NARHAMS members to discuss upcoming events related to the club. Non-club members are free to join in the discussion, but please keep the postings at least somewhat related to model rocketry.

Click to join:

NARHAMS Store

Need to stock up on some officially licensed NARAHMS logo gear? Check out our online store!

Additional Information

NARHAMS President: Alex Mankevich
NARHAMS Section Advisor: Jim Miers
National Association of Rocketry: P.O. Box 407
Marion, IA 52302
800-262-4872
Sign up for the NAR's electronic newsletter here
Public Launches at Goddard: NASA Goddard Visitor Center
301-286-8981