Mach Maxima: A Supersonic Rocket Project

The Journey Begins On February 2, 2023, I embarked on an exhilarating project to build a high power rocket capable of breaking the sound barrier. The vision for this rocket, aptly named “Mach Maxima,” was my most ambitious project to date. I chose the Mach1 Chimera 65 kit for its ability to withstand supersonic flight and quality of components. This kit includes a 65mm filament … Continue reading Mach Maxima: A Supersonic Rocket Project

CopelandJuly 28, 2024December 23, 2025Leave a comment

3D Printing, HowTo's, Rocketry, Technology

Building a GPS Tracking System for High Powered Rocketry

As I progress my skills and experience in rocketry, I had no doubts that I would set new milestones for 2023. The milestones I set for myself in 2021, as I re-entered the model/sport rocketry hobby, were to obtain my NAR Level I certification and successfully launch and recover my first high-powered rocket. The milestones I set for 2022 were to obtain my NAR Level … Continue reading Building a GPS Tracking System for High Powered Rocketry

CopelandFebruary 10, 2023February 12, 2023Leave a comment

Rocketry, Technology

NAR National Sport Launch 2022

The Rocketry Organization of South Carolina at Orangeburg (ROSCO) hosted the National Association of Rocketry’s (NAR’s) National Sport Launch (NSL) 2022 in Dalzell, South Carolina, May 28th through May 30th. NSL is the National Association of Rocketry’s pinnacle sport rocketry event. We had great weather all three days – mostly clear skies with light winds and temperatures in the low to mid 90s. The club … Continue reading NAR National Sport Launch 2022

CopelandOctober 12, 2022December 23, 2025Leave a comment

HowTo's, Rocketry, Technology

The Anonymous Beard Rocketry: SBR Thor Build and NAR Level II Certification

The SBR Thor 4″ kit was designed by Scott Binder. The kit features laser-cut parts, convenient integral electronics and payload bays, and the CAM1 Camera/Altimeter Mount. The Thor also features a 54mm motor mount for flying larger, high-powered motors. Features: laser-cut 1/4″ aircraft quality plywood fins, high strength airframe tube and couplers, centering rings, bulkhead plates, high-quality hardware package, 54mm motor tube, plastic nosecone, fin … Continue reading The Anonymous Beard Rocketry: SBR Thor Build and NAR Level II Certification

CopelandAugust 7, 2021January 30, 20232 Comments

Rocketry, Technology

The Anonymous Beard Rocketry: NAR Level I Certification

“I’m not Jeff Bezos or the government, this is best space program I can afford currently…” – someone on Reddit. After years away from the hobby, and my passion for space being fueled by the new space race – or whatever you want to call it – between Musk, Branson, Bezos, NASA, and all the other players, I finally decided to pursue my NAR certifications … Continue reading The Anonymous Beard Rocketry: NAR Level I Certification

CopelandAugust 1, 2021October 12, 2022Leave a comment

Robotics, Rocketry, Technology

My Name is on Mars!

A placard commemorating NASA’s “Send Your Name to Mars” campaign was installed on the Perseverance Mars rover on March 16, 2020, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Three fingernail-sized chips affixed to the upper-left corner of the placard feature the names of 10,932,295 people who participated, including mine! They were individually stenciled onto the chips by electron beam, along with the essays of the 155 finalists in NASA’s … Continue reading My Name is on Mars!

CopelandMarch 1, 2021November 28, 2022Leave a comment