Rocket club holding workshops

Otago Rocketry Club founder Mike Turner checks a model before the workshops next week. Photos: Sam Henderson

As Techweek lifts-off on Monday, The Star reporter Sam Henderson explores the events and activities planned for the technology- and innovation-focused week.

If your sights are set sky-high, an enthusiastic club may be just right for you.

The Otago Rocketry Club was established last year in June and holds regular gatherings to make and launch model rockets.

Budding aerospace innovators can get ready for blast-off when the club hosts build-and-fly workshops during Techweek.

Sessions will run next week on Monday and Friday at Dunedin Community House.

Participants aged eight and over will assemble a model rocket, learn the propulsion and safety basics and then participate in a public launch at Tonga Park, St Clair, on Saturday.

Club founder Mike Turner said interest in the group had rocketed soon after he launched it.

"I got into rocketry a few years back and found the nearest club to us here in Dunedin was in Christchurch, which is a bit of a trek."

Working at engineering firm Fisher & Paykel, he guessed many colleagues and their families would share the same interests.

"I thought I would just ask if anyone is interested in building some rockets and I had about 50 people say ‘yes, we’d love to’," Mr Turner said.

The models use compressed black-powder engines and fin stabilisation.

"When the igniter sets fire to the powder, it expands very, very quickly.

"It sends out a hot stream of gas through the nozzle, which pushes the rocket upwards."

The rockets can rapidly ascend to heights of up to 100m, although larger motors can push similar airframes close to 300m.

A model rocket of the type that participants at model workshops next week will build and launch.

New Zealand’s rocketry regulations mean hobbyists need only follow the New Zealand Rocketry Association’s safety code and secure landowner permission for small-scale flights, though Civil Aviation Authority approval is required for larger projects.

"The one I am currently working on will go about seven kilometres."

For a rocket of that size, he will need to fly to Auckland and travel to Huntly, where the New Zealand Rocketry Association has a high-powered launch site just outside the town.

Places for the Techweek workshops are free thanks to funding from TechStep and sponsorship by Dunedin Young Professionals.

Participants can keep the rockets they build.

Numbers were capped at 45 per session and were filling fast, Mr Turner said.

However, membership of the Facebook-based club was informal and free.

"Obviously, that is trying to get people excited about science and engineering."