SRA History

Spaceport Rocketry Association

Premier rocketry organization serving the Florida Space Coast since 1973

Spaceport Rocketry Association History

SRA was formed in 1973 (originally named Orange Rocketeers) to promote rocketry activities in Orange County, Florida. We changed our name in 1991 to reflect our growing membership base in Central Florida.

Recurring Events Include:

⋅ SRA hosts University project launches and NASA SLI Teams.

⋅ SRA hosts High School TARC Teams.

⋅ SRA provides rocketry instruction, displays and launches for Middle and Grade Schools.

⋅ SRA hosts youth groups at local launches throughout the year.

⋅ SRA provides static displays and launch demonstrations for public and private events.

Special Highlights Include:

⋅ SRA conducted a private model rocket launch to support Make A Wish. (June 2014)

⋅ SRA received numerous volumes of original model rocket plans and documents dating back to the 1960s from John Edwards. SRA is having them scanned and made available to the public. The originals will be given to NAR for placement in a museum. (March 2014)

⋅ SRA was the technical advisor and conducted the rocket launches for the International Space University (ISU) Rocket Challenge at KSC Launch Complex 39A. (July 2012)

⋅ SRA was the technical advisor and conducted rocket launches for the Ford Focus Rally America show broadcast on HULA. (February 2011)

⋅ SRA incorporated as a not for profit organization on September 22, 2010

⋅ SRA and NEFAR members launch 1/6 scale Explorer 1 to commemorate 50th anniversary. (January 2008)

⋅ SRA supports Space Visions Congress 2007 with a static display and "build and take". (April 2007)

⋅ SRA conducts demo launch for the students of the local SEARCH mentor program. (May 2006)

⋅ SRA featured in Florida Today article. (March 2006)

⋅ Demonstration launches and static display at the St Lucie County Wings and Wheels 2005. (May 2005)

⋅ Supported NASA Safety Day at KSC in 2004 with two HPR displays.

⋅ Supported the Patrick AFB Open House with displays and HPR launches in 2003.

⋅ Supported NASA Safety Day at KSC in 2003 with HPR displays.

⋅ Supported the Leesburg Public Library with a display, educational class on rocketry and a build and take with an opportunity for each child to launch their rocket.

⋅ Celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2003.

⋅ Supported the Patrick AFB Open House with displays and HPR launches in 1999 and 2001.

⋅ Performed a 1997 model rocket launch demo for the Lockheed Martin Company Picnic (our sixth time performing a demo at their company picnic!).

⋅ Performed a 1997 model rocket launch demo at Titusville's Space Park commemorating the 30th anniversary of the first Saturn V launch vehicle test.

⋅ Performed a 1996 model rocket launch demo at Titusville's Space Park commemorating the Mercury Astronauts with special guest astronauts Scott Carpenter and Gordon Cooper.

⋅ Assisted with the launch preparations for the 1996 Spaceweek Explorer, a 14.5 foot tall, 11 inch diameter rocket designed for show use at Central Florida Theme Park Attractions.

⋅ Performed a model rocket launch demo at the KSC Visitor's Center in January 1996, which was taped for the SCI-FI channel's TV Show "SPACE".

⋅ Helped University High School build its Launch Control Center, a 12 position launch control system in a renovated school bus.

⋅ Assisted Orlando's University High School with their 1994 Shuttle Explorer Launch with Astronaut Robert Crippen as guest launching officer, the 1995 Shuttle Launch with KSC Launch Control Officer Bob Sieck as guest launching officer, and a special space tribute launch of the Shuttle Explorer at Walt Disney World's EPCOT Center during Spaceweek 1995.

⋅ Performed three 1992 International Space Year launch demonstration events.

⋅ Received national recognition for our 1991 30th Anniversary Mercury-Redstone Commemoration Launch with Astronaut Alan Shepard as the guest launching officer.

⋅ Assisted with the 1992 World Space Modeling Championships (WSMC) held in Brevard County.

⋅ Hosted the national model rocketry championships (NARAM) (as the Orange Rocketeers) held at Orlando in 1975 and at Kissimmee in 1982.

⋅ Performed launch demonstrations at the Vehicle Assembly Building at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) during the 1976 Bicentennial Celebration, the Visitor's Center at KSC, the John Young Science Center in Orlando, and many Central Florida area public schools.