General Aviation Space Group (GASG) in association with the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) local chapter 64 will commemorate the anniversary of the first powered flight by the Wright Brothers.  GASG has designed and will launch a single-stage rocket, known as Aurora, on December 17, 2007, and the launch will be covered LIVE on St. Louis Fox 2 Morning Show.  Until any other media show interest in live coverage, Fox 2 will have the exclusive report.

Just as the Wright Brothers began powered flight for general aviation, GASG will begin space flight for general aviation.   Just as the Wright Brothers launched the original Wright Flyer on a rail, the Aurora Rocket will be launched on a rail.  Just as the Wright Brothers were two people with a dream and a vision, GASG was created by two people with a dream and a vision.

Updated December 3, 2007:   The Aurora Phase test launch has been postponed

GASG has spent the past several months developing and testing various motors made of various materials and using various hybrid fuels.  We have had some problems obtaining the oxidant that we think will work best, and we have had some disappointing results with some of the fuels tested.  We are getting close to finding exactly the right combination.  We are excited about the latest test and feel this may be the motor that will be light enough and produce sufficient thrust, using inexpensive and readily-available materials. 

You may remember from elementary school science class that the three elements required to produce fire are oxygen, ignition or spark, and a fuel source.  For the purposes of building a rocket motor, the oxidizer does not necessarily need to be oxygen and there are many options for fuel.  These are the combinations we are testing and perfecting.

The delay in developing the optimum proportions and fuel materials has put the Aurora Phase behind schedule.  After much discussion, the Executive Committee has reluctantly agreed to postpone the December 17 Aurora Rocket launch in favor of further testing.  As firmly as we believe in our stated missions, our commitment to safe operations is paramount.  We would have concerns about safety issues if we hurry our testing to meet a deadline in observance of a particular aviation milestone.

We have successfully created and tested a pyrotechnic recovery system and have confidence that it will recover the Aurora rocket for further study.

GASG was successfully issued an airspace waiver for the December 17 rocket launch including a rain date.  There will not be a problem getting approval with a renewed date.

Members of the Board of Directors recently had the opportunity to view the current movie, "In the Shadow of the Moon".  It is a brilliant documentary covering the missions and astronauts who flew the moon missions, and we highly recommend it.  We left with renewed passion and assurance for the goals of GASG.  We were struck by the professionalism and enthusiastic support displayed by the reporting of Walter Cronkite.  We envision our own local reporter to parallel Cronkite when he covers the GASG activities.  John Pertzborn of St. Louis Fox channel 2 currently remains the exclusive reporter for GASG.

Science and discovery are nothing if not learning experiences.  Experimentation serves the sole purpose of proving (or disproving) a preconceived hypothesis.  The experiments and tests that do not produce the expected results are lessons for improvement.  Even though none of the motor tests have been a complete failure, GASG is undaunted by any results that were less than a complete success.

When testing is completed and safety is ensured to the maximum extent possible, the Aurora Rocket launch will be rescheduled.  The objective remains the same:  The Aurora Phase is phase one of the Astra Project.  The Aurora Rocket will reach an altitude of approximately 5,000 feet and will be essentially a propulsion test.  The recovered Aurora Rocket will be analyzed in preparation for the next stage, the Astra phase.  The Astra phase will launch a triple-stage rocket carrying a satellite to be launched into Low Earth Orbit (LEO) on the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing.  The satellite (known as Astra) will be carried into orbit atop the Blue Max rocket powered by an Aurora Engine, all of which are designed and built by members of the organization.  

Just as the Wright Brothers began powered flight for general aviation, GASG will begin space flight for general aviation.  Just as the Wright Brothers launched the original Wright Flyer on a rail, the Aurora Rocket will be launched on a rail.  Just as the Wright Brothers were two people with a dream and a vision, GASG was created by two people with a dream and a vision.

In 1953, a group of people gathered together to aid and assist amateur aircraft builders.  (source:  www.eaa.org)  In the following 50 years, The Experimental Aircraft Association has expanded its mission to include antiques, classics, warbirds, aerobatic aircraft, ultralights, helicopters, and contemporary manufactured aircraft.  Spacecraft is the next logical step.

Technological knowledge builds from lessons learned in the past.  Apollo 11 put a man on the moon with less computer power than in most current cell phones.  We will not be the last group that explores space, but we will be part of the never-ending chain of events.  There has been concern or dismay expressed about other people and organizations that are also attempting to put amateur rockets into space.  Our goals and methods vary from most of the others, but it is also not a competition to be first or best.  When Clyde Cessna found out that Bill Piper was also building airplanes, he did not say, "Oh, okay, never mind."  There is room enough in space for all of us.

As we come to the conclusion of another calendar year, the members of General Aviation Space Group wish our friends and fans a Happy and Prosperous New Year.