We had an opportunity to visit the
Poker Flat Research Range facilities during their 50th year anniversary. They have put out flyers to invite the community to come out 30 miles away from town on Steese highway to celebrate the 50th year of Poker Flat Rocket Research Range with them.
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The flier that was posted at my workplace.
50th Year Celebration at Poker Flat Research Range
The world's only university-owned rocket range
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The Drive
There was a free bus ride from University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF)to Poker Flat Research Range but when I called them to make a reservations, the buses were already booked. So, my husband, my son, and I decided we drive there instead. The road was great, barely had any snow on the road but it was dark out though. Still winter!
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Rocket at the main gate of Poker Flat Research Range
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Parking
Of course it was a popular event that night. When we arrived at the Poker Flat Research Range, the parking lot was full. They even made an overflow parking area and it was full, good thing we found a spot.
Poker Flat Research Range Facilities
The Admin Center
The first building we got into is the Admin Center. They have a lot of informational stuff as well as popcorn. There was a lot of people inside, so crowded, we didn't stay long.
We then went outside to wait for transportation to take us to the upper range facilities. The line was long and we were told they did not anticipate to have this many people show up there.
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Long line waiting for the ride up to upper facilities
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The Blockhouse and Launch Pad 3
While waiting in line, one of the personnel approached us and offered us to show the Blockhouse and Launch Pad 3. My family and I left our space on the long line and joined them for a short walk there.
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The BlockHouse
Where control panels are located
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Alan's touching the tip of the rocket at the Launch Pad 3
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It was interesting to see the launch pad, the rocket, and the building (Blockhouse) where the buttons are located to launch a rocket. It was cold but it was nice little walk to that facilities.
After the tour there, we then walked back to the end of the long line. My husband waited in line, while my son and I went to Weather Balloon building. It was so interesting to see how the weather balloons work.
Weather Balloon
Transportation
We waited for about 2 hours in line outside, brrr below freezing and there was little breeze. At one time we were told that they may not be able to take us all because of the timeframe.
They only have 3 Vans I believe and can only take 12 people at a time each and it will take 20 minutes to get back down. However, after few minutes of waiting, we were told again that they will try to accommodate us all.
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UAF Police also helped transporting people up to upper range facilities
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Van - transportation to Upper Range Facilities
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The employees and organizers there were great and just had great attitude. Even though it was a long night, they stayed and accommodated us. The UAF patrol officer even used his vehicle to transport people. My family and I were picked up by another employees who were on their way up there. They dropped us off at Lidar Laser Lab. We then hopped on a van to Telemetry building, then to Neal Davis Science Operation Center.
Lidar Laser Lab
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| Lidar Laser Lab |
The following pictures below (with green lights) were taken inside the Lidar Laser lab building
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| The powerful Laser beam |
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Alan moved the Lidar
it was so cool!
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Alan's certificate for operating the lidar
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Telemetry Building
It's they track their rockets and the data from the rockets
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| Telemetry Building |
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| Inside Telemetry Building |
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| Three dishes by the Telemetry building |
- Neal Davis Science Operation Center
We didn't get to see a lot of the presentations nor the party at Neal Davis Science Operation Center due to we got there a little late. There are some cake and refreshments left but that's pretty much it.
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| He was showing us the stars constellations and what they mean to different cultures around the world. |
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| We also got to talked to Sacha Layos with Northern Light photography |
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One of the plier I picked up and I think it's so cool.
Poker Flat Research Range
The nation's only high-latitude rocket range
Poker Flat launches scientific sounding rockets and provides ground-based research instrumentation tailored for the Arctic. Sounding rockets are used to study the aurora, Earth's upper atmosphere, and the sun. |
It was 12:55am when we finally left Poker Flat Research Range.
Overall, it was a great experience and unique opportunity to visit Poker Flat Research for behind the scenes tour. Happy 50th Anniversary!
For more information about the facility please visit
http://www.pfrr.alaska.edu/
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| Please continue to join me in my journey to blogging from A to Z for this month of April. |
