La Luz Academy launches rockets

  • Published
  • 377th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
KIRTLAND AFB, N.M. --  The Air Force Research Laboratory's La Luz Academy Technology and Engineering Challenges Flight held its annual rocket launch Oct. 23 at the Albuquerque Rocket Society's launch site in Rio Rancho.

TECH Flight uses rocketry to educate middle school students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Students spent about a month building their rockets.

"This activity provides students with an opportunity to what they've learned," said Ronda Cole, director of La Luz Academy. "They get to see Newton's laws in action and also collect real-world data regarding the altitude and range of the rockets. Students also find out that each duty assignment for each team member contributes to the successful launch of their rockets."

Rockets were assembled and prepared for liftoff at 9 a.m. and were launched in waves of three throughout the morning.

Each team builds the same rocket, consisting of a payload section, booster and motor mount. The students use software to run a simulation to determine the altitude and range for their rockets under various permissible wind conditions. They also go through a safety briefing and launch day procedures.

On launch day, students are assigned duties, such as assembly, inspection, meteorology and safety. With the help of scientists and engineers acting as volunteer mentors, the assembly and inspection team installs a parachute, altimeter and motor. The rockets are approximately 6 feet long and can reach an estimated altitude of 2,000 feet.