Launch Controllers

From LUNARwiki

Roy Green from SOAR posted to the NAR Sections list saying that SOAR was planning to upgrade their low-power launch controller and solicited the list for examples of launch controllers that other sections have created. Here are the responses:

Bob Kaplow: NIRA's satellite system is the base that the NARAM satellite system was cloned from. If you're familiar with the NARAM system: 18 pads, rotary switch, continious continuity check on all pads from the LCO plus a red LED to indicate which pad is selected. In addition to the rotary knob, there's an arm key and a fire switch, each spring loaded. The panel was designed so that it took 2 hands to launch a rocket.

Bill Spadafora describes the CMASS launch setup.

Dave Montgomery asks: Do any of you long time veterans remember the launch system the old Apollo/NASA Section (# 103) used when they were active back in the late 1960's and early 1970's? It was called HAL (Heck of A Launcher) that used a "buildup" system during a countdown cycle for the particular pad being launched. When the automatic countdown for that pad reached zero, there were enough power flowing to ignite that motor. If I'm not mistaken, I think they used this system when they hosted a NARAM back in those days...

Steve De Shong relates what he created for the SCREAM modroc launchpads.

Bob Kaplow opines on various types of plugs.

George Gassaway describes the Birmingham Rocket Boys Launch System.

Bill Orvis describes the various LUNAR Launch Systems.

Tom Lyon describes the new system purchased from St Josephs Industries for the Vikings Rocket Society Launches.

Ted Cochran provides an overview of the MASA Launch Systems.