RTV Historical Launch Sites

Little League Fields, Richfield MN

This would technically be the Vatsaas family's first launch site. Our dad brought Brad here with an Estes Scout in about 1968. It looks a lot different now -- the sprawl of the Minneapolis-St.Paul International Airport has overtaken the Little League fields. Too bad, both for rockets and baseball.

Across the Street in South Minneapolis

Also known as 'The Bowl' because it has hills that slope up on three sides, this field was really too small for even model rockets -- but we flew them there anyway when dad wasn't available to drive us someplace better. The X marks where Brad's Mars Lander impacted on the frozen creek because he used a motor with too long a delay. The + marks the spot where Mary Tyler Moore was filmed feeding ducks for the credits of her TV show.

Right: Mary thrills to the sight of another exhilerating rocket launch.

Bean Field
Lake Francis, MN

There comes a time in every boy's childhood when he sees every open field as a potential launch site. Our folks had a lake home that we would escape to in the summer months, and rocket launches at the lake became a part of every weekend's activities. The prevailing wind usually blew across the water -- bad for water sports, but good for recovery.

Right, cousin John (front) and Rick model the daring fashions of 1981: hot pants and tube socks.

Empty School Yard in Glendale, AZ

This area is now occupied by the Sierra Verde Elementary School. But it marks the re-entry point for Brad into the rocketry hobby. It was also the spot where Mark was reintroduced to rocketry while on a visit to Arizona with his family. (Brad's house is at the very top of the photo, center section, second from the right.)

Right: Brad wishes desperately for a portapotty.

Pasture outside Parker, CO

Once bitten by the rocketry bug, Mark had to locate a place to launch in his home state. While there are no rocket clubs convenient to where he lives, there is no shortage of open fields south of Denver. This photo was taken during a vacation taken by Rick and family to the western states, and of course included a day for launching rockets.

Right: Mark can squat with the best of 'em.

Fricke & Sons Sod Farm Blaine, MN

The long-time site for MASA launches, the sod farm was recently sold as a location for a housing development. It was like launching on an enormous manicured lawn, but it was limited to small H motors due to its proximity to the Anoka County Airport. It was also bisected by a number of drainage ditches, so it wasn't completely without hazards.

Athletic Fields in Eagan, MN

This is where Rick goes to fire off his model rockets in between MASA launches. Minnesota weather can be a little cantankerous, so it's nice to have a fallback in case the scheduled events are cancelled due to blizzard, flood, tornado, or mosquito infestation.

The grass makes for a soft landing if you hit it, but the fields are separated by chain link fences. It makes recovery tough on a windy day.

Rainbow Valley, AZ

A God-forsaken desolate patch of desert. A lot of nothing for miles around. In other words, a perfect place to launch rockets. This is the site of AHPRA and SSS launches, and the meeting point for the annual RTV rocketry weekends.

Orangeburg, SC

Home of the South Carolina Tripoli Prefecture. This is where Burl Finkelstein goes to rain jagged shards of flaming terror onto the the tranquil countryside of the Palmetto State. He has recently been joined there by Todd Haring, a rocket refugee from Phoenix, AZ (and longtime friend of Billy Dahlberg). Dum Spiro Spero.

Loren Kjersten's Farm Rockford, MN

MASA needed to find a new launch site when they lost the sod farm. Brad heard about the problem and recommended that Rick contact his life-long buddy Loren, who has been busy buying up large sections of central Minnesota.

Loren solicited all of his neighbors and all agreed to allowing MASA to launch on the premises. They are even excited for the entertain- ment. I wish everything were this easy.