On February 1, 2020, I flew with Scott Borden, Mark Spedding and Doug Botos to the Friends of Amateur Rocketry (FAR) test site in the Mohave desert to view the launch of the Lady Elizabeth Rocket. The rocket is the culmination of the multi-year San Diego State University Rocket Projectand was named in honor of my aunt, Elizabeth Jane Jackson Woodcock.
From the SDSU Rocket Project Website:
“Our Lady Elizabeth Rocket was initially designed for the FAR/Mars launch competition hosted by FAR. For this rocket, our engineers developed our first-ever, student-designed, liquid oxygen, and liquid methane regenerative engine. At our last static hot fire, the engine had an average thrust of 510 lbs. The rocket weighs 141 lbs dry.
Our rocket is named after Elizabeth Jackson, the late wife of Dr. Richard Woodcock, both are great friends of the SDSU Rocket Project. Elizabeth Jackson was larger than life and an avid supporter of education and students. By supporting Rocket Project, she has allowed us to be innovative and create a learning environment that is unique, rewarding, and beneficial to not only students but the entire university.”
Scott and Richard (A.K.A. Dr. Woodcock) helped fund the student club which made the rocket possible. We visited the rocket lab in November 9, 2019 for the unveiling of the rocket.
The students with the help of Richard’s suggestions added some artwork to commemorate Elizabeth.
It was likely due to minor fuel leak.
At the FAR/Mars for the Launch
Scott, Mark, Doug and I flew early in the morning to California City and were picked up by students who drove us to the FAR/Mars launch testing site. We invited the pilot of the plane along to watch as well. Another private plane with 5 people also flew up to watch the launch. The students drove up the night before and would drive back to San Diego after the launch.
About 1/2 of the drive from the airport was on unpaved roads. Luckily the weather was near perfect with pleasant temperatures and almost no wind. The previous and the proceeding day were very windy.
It went straight up but the cross winds at different altitudes quickly distorted its exhaust trail.
Due to the pressurized fuel and potential for explosion everyone had to be inside the bunkers during launch.
On the solid fuel launches they weren’t quite as concerned about an explosion.
Finally the Launch
Below is the incredible video of the 13,300 ft high flight and recovery taken from a GoPro camera mounted on the rocket. It only spun a bit after the recovery parachute opened. The students walked on foot across the desert to recover the rocket that landed at least a mile away. The payload included a photo of Lady Elizabeth that was undamaged during the flight.
Flying to and from the Launch Site
To get to the launch site Scott chartered a Cessna Conquest and a pilot to fly us from Montgomery-Gibbs Airport to California City in the Mohave desert. The weather was perfect and we had a good view of the San Diego and Orange County coastlines and then L.A. and San Gabriel Mountains.
Video of our early morning landing taken by Mark:
