SPACE.com -- Weather Prevents Amateur Rocket Launch

Launch of Spaceshot 2000, predescessor to the 2002 launch expected to reach an altitude of 62 nautical miles. Spaceshot 2000 reached a height of 40,000 feet before wind sheer tore a fin loose, causing its destruction. Click to enlarge.

The mission profile for Spaceshot 2002 calls for a launch from Nevada's Black Rock Desert and a maximum altitude of 62 nautical miles, 12 more than 50-mile height denoting the boundary of space. Click to enlarge.

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	Weather Prevents Amateur Rocket Launch By Tariq Malik Staff Writer posted: 07:00 am ET 02 July 2002

Mother Nature defeated an effort to launch the first amateur rocket into space last week, forcing would-be history makers to recoup and prepare for another try

Mother Nature defeated an effort to launch the first amateur rocket into space last week, forcing would-be history makers to recoup and prepare for another try.

The Civilian Space Xploration Team (CSXT), a group of avid rocketeers with members nationwide, were unable to launch their rocket - the Primera Spaceshot 2002 - due to gusty winds and clouds, as well as problems securing launch clearance air space officials. The group had hoped to launch their rocket from the flat land of Nevada's Black Rock Desert.

""We had some pretty bad wind that destroyed our camp," CSXT team leader Ky Michaelson told SPACE.com. "We just got sandblasted out there."

The rocket, a 17-foot (5.81-meter) vehicle powered by solid rocket propellant, was undamaged and is ready to fly as soon as a new launch date is cleared through the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). CSXT team members said they tried to launch twice on June 28, once in the morning and then again that night, but were unable to go for ignition.

Last week's launch attempt was the second scheduled for the CSXT team. Their rocket had an original launch date of Sept. 26, 2001, but was put off until June following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11. A disappointed Michaelson said his team will try and secure a new launch date with the FAA, and is actively searching for a second launch site as well.

"We've got a good rocket and a good group of people," Michaelson said. We'll just pick up the pieces and try again."