What is the launching campaign ?

For the Aerospace clubs

Controls

Experimental rockets shall be pre-qualified before the 4th RCE meeting [1] (to take place the last weekend of June 2009). Further controls will be held directly in Biscarrosse. Club projects that are not ready on time will not be launched !

It is possible to organize an earlier pre-qualification by contacting Vincent RICHE : vincent.riche@planete-sciences.org. This technical-review is more than necessary if you conduct a mini-rocket project. Please note that for the space clubs from Japan, a dedicated pre-qualification review is planned begin of July 2009, in Japan.

Launches

Launches are usually planned over 5 days. The first days are traditionally reserved for rockets launched with a Cariacou motor (mini-rockets) under the responsibility of Planète Sciences. The end of the week is then reserved for rockets launched with a Barasinga or a hybrid motor (Perseus project), under the responsibility of both CNES and Planète Sciences volunteers.

During the same period, weather balloons will also be released.

Since 2008, a Cansat competition is also organized during the launching campaign. It consists of the drop, from a weather balloon, of a soda can with onboard electronics (Cansat),. The Cansat must land and fullfil a specific mission, which will be evaluated by a jury.

For curious people of all kind

You will also be able to attend launches of experimental rockets, cansats and weather balloons (only if you have been granted the authorization to access the military base – see section below).