About Temecula Rocket Group

The Temecula Rocket Group is Section #690 of the National Association of Rocketry (NAR), which simply means that it follows rules established by the largest and oldest rocketry organization in the world.  NAR was founded back in 1957 and hundreds of millions of model and high powered rocket flights have occured since.   All TRG members are also members of NAR, which is required by TRG bylaws.  Membership in NAR provides a number of additional benefits to TRG members such as insurance for damage and injuries related to rocketry activities.  …and before you get concerned about rocketry safety, the rules established by NAR and the TRG result in a very safe sport for the kids and spectators.

But the TRG is not only about  rockets.  It was setup and is operated by the members, who are all in middle school and high school in the Temecula/Murrieta area.  We have two adult advisors, both of which have advanced certifications in rocketry and who advise the members on all aspects of club operations, including how to run membership meetings and other business functions, as well as rocket building techniques and theory.  The members elect a board of directors annually and the board of directors holds meetings and makes decisions using proper business processes.  Therefore the TRG is a great training ground for a future business career.  Perhaps the TRG members are destined for careers in aerospace management or engineering some day and the TRG helps prepare them for that future.

Although TRG has adult advisors, and adults may join TRG, adults are not allowed to vote on TRG matters.  This is intentional to keep the TRG a "kids club" to give the kids a sense of ownership in the club's affairs. However, parents and other family members are encouraged to join in club activities, and even fly rockets at club sponsored events along with the boys and girls.  We only ask that non-members who want to fly at a club event be accompanied by an Adult.

The TRG holds monthly build sessions where members can gather to work on their own rocketry projects or group projects.   In 2007, the members built and flew a 8 pound Bowling Ball as a club project and a 4 inch diameter “Jayhawk” High Power rocket. They plan to build and fly several rockets this year as part of specific science experimentation, including an 8 foot tall, ½ scale “Patriot Missile” during 2008.  The members are very innovative and frequently hold planned and ad hoc rocket contests and “drag races” with their projects.  It all adds to the enjoyment and educational aspects of TRG Membership.

Each month, the TRG holds “launches” where the members can fly their projects at a properly prepared and managed rocket range, all overseen by the adult advisors.  And the members take “field trips” to such places as NASA’s Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards Air Force Base and NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena.  We try to organize events and trips directly involving rocketry and space exploration in order to expose the members to future career opportunities in Aerospace.

The TRG is also heavily involved in other organizations such as Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Science Classes and clubs, and other organizations.  We built a "booth" that can be setup at school science fairs and other events.  We have displayed our booth and provided rocket-based demonstrations for Sally Ride Science festivals, Girl Scouts events, Astronomy Night at several local schools, and we've hosted launches and provided mentoring for teams participating in the Team America Rocketry Challenge.  All of these activities give the kids and adults experience working with other people of all ages while promoting our sport beyond our club.

Many of the TRG members and parents are also members of the Rocketry Organization of California (ROC), a high-powered rocketry club.  Although TRG launches are limited to E-power flights due to space and permit limitations, ROC launches occur monthly in Lucerne Dry Lake. 
Flights using motors up to M-power are possible at ROC, so the TRG is able to fly larger projects, up to their certification levels.  For more information on ROC, please visit their website.

You can see some of the club activities and get more information on the club’s website at www.temecularocket.com.   In particular, check out the Calendar of Events page for our build and launch sessions and the photos section to see the TRG in action.

So, if you would like to join the TRG, Check out our "Getting Started in Model Rocketry with the TRG" page to learn more.  We look forward to seeing you at the next club event and welcome you to our group.

                                      Sincerely, 

                                Kevin Yackley
                                      Murrieta Section Advisor