Last year saw a number of a achievements for Jones Boys Rocketry.  Christopher’s further advancement into mid-power rocketry with several new rockets and his first G powered flights.  His first 4 motor cluster rocket, a custom built 4x24mm Patriot rocket that he flew successfully at the Club’s 4th of July Demonstration launch.  Nicole had her first success in a competition taking 3rd place in the “Lunar Spot Landing” contest to commemorate the 40th Anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing at Goddard Space Fight Center.  She also worked to build several other models with me, often adding hand drawn designs to them.  My achievements included more high power flights and my first high power CATO (well, maybe not exactly an achievement, but a rite of passage). 

2009 overall was a great year for rocketry in the Jones Family, but as we enter 2010, I have decided to set a new goal for myself.  Most of my high power flights to date have focused on getting the rocket up and back down to earth safely, with reasonably good performance in the process.  This year I will try to up my game by going for a high altitude flight.  The goal for 2010 will be to fly a dual deploy rocket, with GPS downlink tracking to over 10,000 feet with a safe recovery.  This will involve getting certified to use the GPS transmitter (a Amateur Radio license) as well as building a high performance rocket capable of reaching that altitude on a motor that will fit an existing casing (54mm).  10,000 in 2010!!!