Upcoming Events in 2026
Merici College Student Low Power Launch at Manton Road, Yass
Thursday 4 June
This event is in support of Merici College's STEM program and is not open to general attendance. The students will be launching their modified rockets following on from their successful launch session in April.
Low/Mid Power Launch at Manton Road, Yass
Sunday 7 June
Our next L/MPR launch at Manton will be on Sunday 7 June, site conditions and weather permitting. Setup will be from 09:00, with launching commencing from 09:30.
If there is insufficient rain over the next few weeks to establish a significant green underbrowth of grass to reduce the fire risk from the long dry grass currently covering much of the site, there is a high probability that the committee will unfortunately need to consider yet another cancellation until the site conditions improve.
Please Contact us if you plan to attend this session or have any queries.
High Power Launch at Ardlethan
Saturday 13 June - Sunday 14 June
Our next HPR launch event for 2026 will be held over the weekend of Saturday 13 - Sunday 14 June, weather and site conditions permitting. Launch windows will commence from 08:30 each day and cease at 17:00 on Saturday and 13:00 on Sunday. More details will be available closer to the scheduled date.
Please Contact us if you plan to attend this event or have any queries. Any members planning to attempt certification flights need to submit their certification application at least one week prior to the attempt. Please refer to our Certification page for further information.
Please refer to the Launch Information page for further details.
Past Events in 2025
Low/Mid Power Launch at Manton Road, Yass
Sunday 3 May
Unfortunately, due to the forecast rain and winds for Sunday, the CRG committee decided to cancel the May launch. This was a no-win situation for the club because without the forecast rain, we would most likely have to cancel the launch anyway due to the very long dry grass at the site.
High Power Launch at Ardlethan
Saturday 25 April - Monday 27 April
Our first HPR launch for 2026 was held over the ANZAC Day long weekend. Details to follow shortly.
Low/Mid Power Launch at Manton Road, Yass
Sunday 5 April
Unfortunately, the committee decided to cancel this event due to the very dry conditions at the site. Although we had a successful launch event on Thursday 2 April with A-B motors, it was considered that the possibility of fire risk was significantly increased with the launching of the larger C - G motors. Another issue was that the forecast for was for up to 25 km/h winds from the East, which is not ideal for our launch site.
Merici College Student Low Power Launch at Manton Road, Yass
Thursday 2 April
This event was held in support of the College's STEM program. An eager group of 23 Year 10 students attended their first rocket launching experience. Seven kit built rockets were sent skywards on A and B motors. Inspite of a few igniter issues, we were able to launch and retrieve all rockets successfully over three rack loads. Hopefully some good data was collected.
This launch was in doubt due to the dry conditions at the site. While the recent rains provided some green undergrowth, there is a large amount of long dry grass surrounding the cleared launch area. The committee members had to be extra vigilant and only permited the event to go ahead due to the small motors used.
Low/Mid Power Launch at Manton Road, Yass
Sunday 1 March 2026
Unfortunately, due to the unfavourable site conditions and the weather forecast for Sunday, this event was cancelled.
Low/Mid Power Launch at Manton Road, Yass
Sunday 2 November 2025
Todays' session was considered to be the best Manton session of 2025. It has been a few years since we were able to stage the Novenber launch due to the unsuitable conditions in past years. On this occasion, however, the weather was ideal with low winds, moderate temperatures, and the site still green.
There were some good launches, but unfortunately Augie and Tims' MPR assessment flights were unsuccessful due to instability. Better luck in 2026 guys!
Session launch stats: 2 x A, 6 x B, 11 x C, 1 x D, 4 x F.
Low/Mid Power Launch at Manton Road, Yass
Sunday 5 October 2025
There was a good turnout for today's launch. In spite of the windy conditions we managed to get quite a few launches in. However, there were a couple of long walks to retrieve rockets that drifted down towards the Yass River to the east of the site. Fortunately, they escaped a dipping!
Again, many thanks to the many hands that helped with the set up and pack up of the gear.
CRG 2025 AGM
Thursday 18 September 2025
CRGs' rescheduled 2025 AGM was held via online meeting from 20:00 - 21:00 on Thursday 18 September. Details of the meeting and new committee will be emailed out to members shortly.
Low/Mid Power Launch at Manton Road, Yass
Sunday 7 September 2025
There was a modest turnout for the launch this morning, but the dozen or so that did attend had a reasonably successful morning of launching. The wind did pick up around mid morning but there were sufficient lulls in the wind to get several racks away with 27 launches.
Here are the stats from the morning:
1 x A3, 9 x A8, 1 x B4, 4 x B6, 3 x C6, 4 x C11, 3 x D12, 1 x F26, 1 x F29, 1 x F67. The total combined impulse of these motors corresponds to a K motor!
Many thanks to all the members who helped out with the setup and packup. This is really appreciated by the CRG committee.
High Power Launch at Ardlethan
Saturday 16 August - Sunday 17 August
Unfortunately, the CRG committee decided to cancel the scheduled launch due to the unfavourable forecast conditions at the site over the weekend. This was to be our final Ardlethan launch for the year. Our next scheduled launch at Ardlethan will probably be in April 2026.
Low/Mid Power Launch at Manton Road, Yass
Sunday 3 August 2025
There was a big turn out for the launch this morning. The launch was held under less than ideal conditions. Unfortunately, the winds were close to the forecast speeds of 25 - 35 km/h, with gusting to over 40 km/h. However, we managed to find enough very brief lulls to continue launching.
We welcomed an enthusiastic group of rocketeers from the Marist College to their first formal rocket launch experience. Fortunately, they were able to get in some successful flights, although a few had to retrieve there rockets from the neighbouring property. A quick lesson in drift management allowed the remaing flights to stay within the site boundary.
We also welcomed three keen L1 HPR aspirants from Singapore with Lacklan, their NSWRA mentor. Unfortunately their plans to certify were dashed with the cancellation of the NSWRA Mullaley launch, due to the wet conditions up there. Hoping to at least get some MPR launches in while here, they had to travel down to Manton from Sydney and quickly modify their rocket configurations to accommodate the restrictions imposed by the site conditions.
A few of our newer members also braved the conditions to get some launches in. A special mention for young Augie, our junior TMP candidate from Leeton, who had several successful launches under the challenging conditions. Well done!
For a launch session that was almost cancelled due to the forecast conditions, it turned out to be relatively successful, although it was a waiting game for those lulls in the very gusty conditions.
Many thanks to all those attendees who helped out with the setup and packup. It is really appreciated.
Let's hope we get a better conditions in September.
High Power Launch at Ardlethan
Saturday 19 July - Sunday 20 July
Unfortunately, due to delays in renewing our CASA Instrument for our Ardlethan HPR launch site, we had to cancel this event.
Low/Mid Power Launch at Manton Road, Yass
Sunday 6 July 2025
This launch was cancelled due to the forecast rain and wind. Unfortunately, Murphy struck again! The forecast rain and wind was delayed by a few hours, leaving the morning with near perfect launch conditions.
Better luck in August!
High Power Launch at Ardlethan
Saturday 14 June - Sunday 15 June
Our June HPR launch was held on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 June. The Saturday session saw many good flights and, unfortunately, some not so successful flights. Unfortunately, Sundays' session was called off due to rain in the early morning and incoming rain mid morning.
Low/Mid Power Launch at Manton Road, Yass
Sunday 1 June 2025
Unfortunately, in spite of the attendance by a small group of eager and ever hopefull members, the fog decided to hang around until midday. The launch was called off without an igniter being lit!
Better luck in July.
Low/Mid Power Launch at Manton Road, Yass
Sunday 4 May 2025
The May L/MPR launch was held under near perfect conditions. Clear sky and just a very light breeze once the early fog cleared. More details and images soon.
High Power Launch at Ardlethan
Saturday 26 April - Sunday 27 April
Our first HPR launch for 2025 was be held on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 April. It was a very quiet weekend with only two visiting rockeeteers on Saturday. Nicholas from NSWRA succesfully flew his L2 certification flight, and Mitchell from Endeavour Aerospace dropped in for a quick delivery and launch.
Due to impending rain we packed up early in the afternoon to head for the local cafe. As it turned out, we needn't have packed up so early because the rain system separated and passed either side of the Ardlethan area.
Sunday morning was more promising with Mark and John getting in some good launches. Unfortunately, Richard suffered a motor CATO and a wayward flight in two separate launches.
Low/Mid Power Launch at Manton Road, Yass
Sunday 6 April 2025
In spite of the windy forecast, we did manage to launch several low power models. It was a waiting game for the lulls in the 25-35 km/h winds over the morning session. Congratulations to our newest and youngest member Augie, who had a couple of good flights.
Low/Mid Power Launch at Manton Road, Yass
Sunday 2 March 2025
Cancelled due to the forecast temperatures and fire risk.
Past Events in 2024
Low/Mid Power Launch at Manton Road, Yass
Sunday 3 November 2024
Cancelled due to the forecast winds exceeding our safe launch limit of 30 km/h for most of the morning. Additionally, the forecast air temperature was getting a little too warm for safe operations.
Low/Mid Power Launch at Manton Road, Yass
Sunday 6 October 2024
Cancelled due to the forecast winds exceeding our safe launching limit of 30 km/h. The westerly winds were 30+ km/h with gusts up to 50-60 km/h.
CRG 2024 AGM
Sunday 8 September
The 2024 Annual General Meeting of the Canberra Rocketry Group was held via Zoom on Sunday 8 September 2024 starting at 8:30am. Details will be provided to members soon.
High Power Launch at Ardlethan
Saturday 31 August - Sunday 1 September
Our third and final HPR launch for 2024 was held on Saturday 31 August and Sunday 1 September. Unfortunately, in spite of the calm conditions in the early part of both the days, the conditions were not ideal due to the strong 25-40 km/h winds on both days. Nevertheless, we were able to get a few launches in on both days. The thigh-high wheat crop proved to be a challenge for recovery, unless there was a good GPS fix to follow. Unfortunately, John suffered his first hybrid CATO with his Contrail H222-powered launch attempt. Fortunately, this was followed by a successful composite-powered flight. Mark and Warren had a couple of good flights with some long walks through the wheat to recover their rockets.
Low/Mid Power Launch at Manton Road, Yass
Sunday 1 September 2024
Cancelled due to high forecast winds.
Low/Mid Power Launch at Manton Road, Yass
Sunday 4 August 2024
The August L/MPR launch at Manton Road was again a very low key affair with only a few members launching into a clear sky. Again, winds were light, but and there was a chill in the air early in the session. Mark, Neville and Richard managed to get some good flights in. Neville had some successful glider flights; Marks' Vapour had a good flight, but ended up in a tree across the road, while his Starfire nearly ended up over the power line; Richards' Eiffel Tower had a few interesting flights, but still came back for more!
2 x A8, 3 x B4, 2 x B6, 1 x C6, 3 x D12, 1 x E16, 1 x E30.
Low/Mid Power Launch at Manton Road, Yass
Sunday 7 July 2024
The July L/MPR launch at Manton Road was a very low key affair with only a few members launching into a clear sky. Winds were light, but there was a definite chill in the air early in the session.
High Power Launch at Ardlethan
Saturday 15 - Sunday 16 June
Our second HPR launch for 2024 was held on Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 June. The rocketry teams from both ANU and UNSW were in attendance to launch their team-built rockets. Further details will be available shortly.
Low/Mid Power Launch at Manton Road, Yass
Sunday 2 June 2024
Our L/MPR launch at Manton Road was held on Sunday 2 June. Details available shortly.
High Power Launch at Ardlethan
Saturday 18 - Sunday 19 May
Our first HPR launch for 2024 was held on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 May. It was a quiet weekend with the Saturday activities confined to prepping rockets in our cars due to the constant gusting winds. Only Mark and John managed one mid-power launch each into less than ideal conditions. Fortunately, the conditions on Sunday morning were near-perfect with a clear sky and no wind until around midday when the packup commenced. Mark, Warren and John were able to provide several spectator-pleasing flights each. Further details will be posted shortly.
Low/Mid Power Launch at Manton Road, Yass
Sunday 5 May 2024
Cancelled due to the very wet on-site conditions and the high forcast winds on the day.
Low/Mid Power Launch at Manton Road, Yass
Sunday 7 April 2024
The launch report will be posted shortly.
Low/Mid Power Launch at Manton Road, Yass
Sunday 3 March 2024
Cancelled due to the drying on-site conditions, the high forcast temperatures and winds on the day.
Past Events in 2023
Low/Mid Power Launch at Manton Road, Yass
Sunday 4 November
Cancelled due to the very dry on-site conditions and the high forcast winds on the day.
Low/Mid Power Launch at Manton Road, Yass
Sunday 1 October
Cancelled due to the high fire danger warning for the Yass area.
Low/Mid Power Launch at Manton Road, Yass
Sunday 3 September
The September launch at Manton Road was held under near-perfect conditions with a clear sky and very light winds. A good turnout of about 20 flyers experienced some great flights, with a few less than optimal. Many thanks to those attendees that helped out with the packup.
More details will be available shortly when the flight cards are reviewed.
High Power Launch at Ardlethan
Saturday 26 - Sunday 27 August
The third and final HPR launch for 2023 was held over the weekend of 26-27 August in near-perfect conditions, with a clear blue sky and very light winds on Saturday, and high scattered cloud with light winds on Sunday. Attendance was low with about ten ANU team members, and couple from UTS. We managed 32 launches over the weekend, with 20 on Saturday and 12 on Sunday. The stats were:
16 x C, 1 x E, 2 x F, 6 x G, 5 x H, 1 x J, 1 x K
Unfortunately, only the bare minimum number of CRG committee members were available for this weekend. However, with the low attendance numbers the event, while busy, was managable, particularly with the assistance of the ANU team in some of the range duties. Many thanks to Jerome for stepping in as RSO on Sunday morning, and other team members assisting with the packup.
CRG 2023 AGM
The 2023 AGM was held virtually via Zoom at 08:30 on Sunday 20 August. Details and minutes of the meeting will be posted soon.
Low/Mid Power Launch at Manton Road, Yass
Sunday 6 August
The August L/MPR launch at Manton Road was held on a clear but breezy morning. There was a reasonable turnout for a late Winter launch, bulked out by members from the ANU Rocketry Team. There were mixed outcomes from about twenty or so lanches. Many thanks to those that assisted with setup and packup.
Low/Mid Power Launch at Manton Road, Yass
Sunday 2 July
The July launch at Manton Road was held under near-perfect weather conditions after a very late start due to fog that eventually cleared after 10:30. There were some good flights. However, the clear blue sky and light surface winds lulled several flyers into a false sense of security, as their choice of motor and chute size resulted in a westerly drift into the neighbouring properties. The upper level winds are not so forgiving at Manton!
Many thanks to the ANU attendees who assisted with the set up and pack up. That is always appreciated.
High Power Launch at Ardlethan
Saturday 17 - Sunday 18 June
The second HPR launch of 2023 was held under near-perfect weather conditions, with a clear blue sky and light winds on the Saturday. Unfortunately, due to recent rain falls, the ground was quite soft and, in some areas, quite boggy. While the attendance was very low, there were some very good flights of low, mid and high power rockets. Whilst the high power composite and hybrid motor launches performed very well, there were significant ignition issues experienced with certain single-use mid power motors by one of the members, including one CATO (fortunately, the rocket will fly again).
Towards the end of the Saturday session, it was decided that the forecast for Sunday was not ideal, with showers forecast over the morning. The thought of packing up in these conditions was not something we looked forward to, so we packed up before sunset on Saturday. As it turned out, it was a wise decision!
Low/Mid Power Launch at Manton Road, Yass
Sunday 4 June
The L/MPR launch at Manton Road was held, but again numbers were low, and finished a little early due to the windy conditions. Only eight launches were achieved under these conditions. Here's to better conditions in July.
CRG Bunnings Sausage Sizzle
Sunday 28 May
CRG ran a sausage sizzle at the Bunnings store in Gungahlin. A cold and breezy day had several members hugging the warmth around the BBQ. Inspite of the occassional drizzle, it was a succesful day and will help the club fund necessary purchases and maintenance over the next year or so. Many thanks to those club and family members who ventured out to volunteer their time to helpout.
Low/Mid Power Launch at Manton Road, Yass
Sunday 7 May
The second L/MPR launch at Manton Road was held, but again finished a little early due to low turnout, cold, showery and breezy conditions. Only four launches were achieved under these conditions. Here's to better conditions in June.
High Power Launch at Ardlethan
April 22-23
The first HPR launch of 2023 was held under near perfect weather conditions with clear blue skies and light winds. There was a good turnout from the ANU and UTS rocketry teams. Congratulations to Madison for her succesful L1 certification flight; to Joel, Ayush, Hal and Ryan for their succesful MPR assessment flights.
Unfortunately we were down on CRG committee members which made for a busy weekend. Many thanks to those that stepped up to assist with range duties and pack up. More details soon when all the flight cards have been recorded.
Low/Mid Power Launch at Manton Road, Yass
Sunday 2 April
L/MPR launch at Manton Road was held, but finished early due to low turnout and breezy conditions. We restricted launches to low power A - D motors.
