Astronauts on Board!

I am lucky enough to work at ATK, where we have a number of retired Space Shuttle astronauts employed.

Katie, Cassidy and I were selected for the Scale event, where the goal is to model a real rocket, and then fly it. We will be flying 1/72 scale models of the Space Shuttle. Each modeler prepares a substantiation documentation that includes photos and drawings of the vehicle. The models are judged on scale accuracy (including the measurement of key attributes to .001”), likeness of color and markings, and flight characteristics. We plan to fly our models to a peak altitude of 600 feet, separate both RSRMs and let them parachute back, separate the Orbiter under rocket power and let it glide back under radio control, and return the ET via parachute as well. Each model has a small flight computer on board that senses peak altitude and controls the deployment of the parachutes. They are really miniature versions of the real thing.

We each have picked flights that were commanded by some of our "ATK" astronauts.

Katie will be modeling STS-100, which was commanded by Kent Rominger. Kent has five space flights under his belt. I have been lucky enough to work closely with Kent on a number of projects, and he has a unique perspective on his flights. My favorite story was hearing Kent explain his "need for speed" to racing car magnate Chip Ganassi, and how he had gone much faster than Chip had ever gone in his Indy Car!!!

(As a side note, good luck to Chip and his Target Racing Team as they try to win the Indy 500 this year!)

Kent has also generously donated to help our cause.

Cassidy will be modeling STS-101, which was commanded by five-time astronaut Jim Halsell. Jim runs our ATK's Huntsville operations, a key position for us, with its proximity to Marshall Spaceflight Center.

We are asking both astronauts to review and sign the cover sheet for the model documentation, as well as provide an autographed photograph. We are also hoping to get a photo of each astronaut with a shuttle model and and Katie or Cassidy to include in the judging package.

As most of the judges for this event are Eastern Europeans, it will impress them that we were able to get the actual Commander for the mission to review and approve the data package. That should help our overall scores for each model. In international competition, every point counts.

We will keep you posted on this effort as it progresses.

Fund Raising Thank You Notes

We have started our fund raising efforts in earnest now. It is a delight to hear from so many of you. As we get donations, I will be posting thank you notes here.

Our first donation came from Dana Vela - thanks so much! We are so grateful.

We also got a significant donation in support of our efforts from Gary Rosenfield and Aerotech. Since we are using Aerotech motors as the main power for our Space Shuttle models, this is a big help. Thanks, Gary and all the crew at Aerotech!

Matt

Team Steele Official Photos

Official photos of the team members, courtesy of Team Steele's very own photographer, me.

Matt

Katie

Cassi

Team USA!

Redistribution of these photos is ok as long as you link back to teamsteele.org. Spread the word!

And here's a bonus: our favorite blooper of the shoot! If you donate, you can request an email full of the rest of the bloopers!

The Team!

Hello there! Welcome to the Team Steele Model Rocketry Website. I hope you enjoy your stay and get to know our awesome team of competitors.

Katie

Katie is the middle sister. She enjoys kicking both her sisters' butts (as often as she can.)

Cassi

Cassi is the youngest sister. She also enjoys kicking her sisters' butts. We believe in family rivalry here.

Matt

Matt is The Dad. He's the one who's been doing rocketry the longest, and the whole reason anyone in the family does rocketry. He's won a few awards. ;)

Robyn

Robyn is the Team Mom, or Range Queen. She doesn't fly, but she keeps everyone fed, watered, shaded, entertained, and most importantly, sane. Her value cannot be underestimated.

Caroline (Carrie)

That's me. I won't be competing at the World Championships, but I have a few National Championships under my belt and I fly a pretty good glider. I have appointed myself Team Publicist.

Here's the whole family (minus older brother Cody and his fabulous wife Rachelle) at NARAM-51 (National Association of Rocketry Annual Meet, AKA National Championships) in 2009. Our club won the Section Championship for the 5th year in a row!

And here's some more photos from NARAM-51.

Katie and Carrie, preparing to fly egglofters

Katie and Carrie, at the Team America Rocketry Challenge (Cassi was part of our team too)

All three girls at TARC.

Matt and his team, Pod Bay Doors, at NARAM-51.

Please Donate

Katie, Cassi, and Matt have qualified to compete in Serbia for the FAI World Championships in August. But we can't make it there alone! Please donate to help us cover the costs of travel and competition.