Texas Cadets Earn Model Rocketry Badges

Fourteen cadets from across the Texas Wing assembled recently in Clyde to earn Model Rocketry Badges through the first Abilene Composite Squadron Model Rocketry Academy.

Earning a Model Rocketry Badge requires cadets pass four written tests on the history of rocketry, principles of rocketry, and the National Association of Rocketry Safety Code. They must also build and launch four rockets of varying complexity.

The cadets first built rubber band-powered Goddard Rockets, which they used in a game of freeze tag in the Clyde High School cafeteria.

Then came Alka Seltzer-powered Fizzy Flyers. Cadet Senior Airman Jerry Wood of the host Abilene squadron built and launched the highest-climbing Fizzy Flyer, which rose about 5 feet off the ground.

Cadets later had “an absolute blast launching rockets,'' Cadet Tech. Sgt. James Kearsing of the Apollo Composite Squadron said, after they built a pair of traditional rockets using solid rocket fuel. None of the eggs used as payloads survived the day, but the fun and excitement weren’t affected.

Wood’s favorite part of the activity was “the interactions we had working in launch groups. We really turned into a team.”

“We are excited at the success of this academy and have already started planning our next launch in July,” said Lt. Col. Jed Taylor, activity director and the Abilene squadron's commander.

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Master Sgt. Will Holloway
Assistant Public Affairs Officer
Texas Wing

Photos by Master Sgt. Will Holloway