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.
![Poker Flat Research Range decals of Poker Flat, Geophysical Institute, UAF, NASA](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt0Srpj9TQOYtuJIqW6ay88CDZqwYurek7ktZC5wBRyLbE5x-MZLXo15FGpNACO_ifja2aGvhFShAZeeRE9PGb26x-Eztr5DmOWZ_ZUK-gIKwVhFFhkwwSkJDW7w6ODZ3enFQd_DHXrzuU/w640-h144/p7.jpg)
![Poker Flat Research Range flier for behind the scene tour of the Poker Flat](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiskOv-iFe_IMo5psKyqo4zwMZIJtTwu1Xf09aYUGN1e9Jsh9yYSq8u_uOxdJNh_bKzl7WIoY03G1Iq_FlaNmLpfE51eEQ-xYd5jiTHNevqGQH-o6L9nZ3oWPmHVf3Kl8POafCbo_rIFmxK/w452-h640/p31.jpg) |
The flier that was posted at my workplace. 50th Year Celebration at Poker Flat Research Range The world's only university-owned rocket range
|
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!
![Poker Flat Research Range Rocket at the main gate of Poker Flat Research Range](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix7lfBwyWWyEffiFHdUxKhGXIi2h3fo9zoizTPcWgDkCnqavn26q-uHQkSWA9SdUwQKJhOCz8YCCUq1KYx6YWOTI7vWCk3zp9xMityqg0RYob_n1pt2FkDz25neA7B9PHE1c4QGzQnV4qs/w400-h392/p1.jpg) |
Rocket at the main gate of Poker Flat Research Range
|
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.
![Poker Flat Research Range Long line to get in the vehicle to start the tour](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7h1ikgzZxhF2r5V9XtFR8w-wQD6_XxDEMzx81eABmR0CtOzzAa7689TPXE-RXV9joxWQQj9Wh7-wiBYcvzEk262I4GzXdmiMXoywSO1SUK1qSh9pEHid5uqvBwWT9l51uJmKpHKKH3lC6/w640-h350/p2.jpg) |
Long line waiting for the ride up to upper facilities
|
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.
![Poker Flat Research Range The Blockhouse](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_K-Riuh_cEu_S83Kpukzq6CmUDjHqiOI9AmXqwIy377DEEpk6PXhzPYzopwwYKT9E85OaQfxCluk7qnWTQ7I0i2kadI_mfUPGg8yhyl58jTbUNnQ0GXG_v9nAGFebvWUb_k5UlCNx4vU8/w640-h492/p5.jpg) |
The BlockHouse Where control panels are located
![Poker Flat Research Range Inside the Blockhouse is where the button is located for launching rockets](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcSaIf3Qb9kW0AeES0kI6vHxNxkDd_SVP5Qqq66HbtJNKSjJ0q4mdDdNdj4ltRkOp_EQlZ5q_0C24hZV8w5SJoEOmnDhTelAJvMazWGf_dQOhJLP4WfYY_6kc0w9BfqVJNDsu5WxXQDtuf/w554-h640/p4.jpg) | This is where the buttons are located for launching a rocket
|
|
![Poker Flat Research Range Alan the boy touching the rocket tip](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVsaRYSDLxyntCJNjpcGnivOc0wO7wGQ1LEErnMja0kacoZiumKkqMXl0cpHVulcihYNnJzuSqUNimt8THrtZaljEe5RLVV9zILtc9Aqdty4Wc4Ftmp5heQLysPcrqayP0VM_PTVJ6mEUO/w640-h532/p8.jpg) |
Alan's touching the tip of the rocket at the Launch Pad 3
|
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.
![Poker Flat Research Range UAF Police Car helping transport people for behind the scenes tour](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzMwZLP_XhriRsHjbFzGbtsONlKPMiYGkFS8JnT3kEhTSa-gaWf2ZkDlAuuGoexfy8vBLdsxY1HJ7XyqUtNzHyNJLLYETqE9w6zyEV_ETO7qfE7UrlmDvJoLgCZgGYx-TGF6dc84bdy2Cy/w640-h382/p11.jpg) |
UAF Police also helped transporting people up to upper range facilities
|
![Poker Flat Research Range Van with load of people going to upper range facilities](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-GH54qVYJv6fMcbfhfIG6wz0Cnm-adXGdPWdv5agVMBqJZn3w8feZQyX8u1k-MDzm7Kfm4Q0FXMOP0JshgwvG3Vptv-BtaZ41dRzvkCyq3XutApiHNim-w6bQIufRdDznubVbz5DCbWOC/w640-h512/p12.jpg) |
Van - transportation to Upper Range Facilities
|
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
![Poker Flat Research Lidar Laser Lab](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaPgB0La3UMag7eNCRwFzf2aBf256ycBRkZW2aC8nl5nW107BAIGYelIX8cdEAzhKg8PZhh3knJLJvnnDMqJS7AtrkpccOl7ZlP2dKRGyUc0d5sIKSklCk7K5FKVJcPL0NPI2fAgqkQjrS/w640-h452/p13.jpg) |
Lidar Laser Lab |
The following pictures below (with green lights) were taken inside the Lidar Laser lab building
![Poker Flat Research The green laser light](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhswAHHtmHd8ZndrsGSlOAt3_yxE7PITF3OOcD6kjOG6J29CCQDs8epkg5pAx7XpbOnquPqlcbk0U5jZFjP_JHx_xMc1xo-DwuGKQG8NI4XD2HC5QFztfJLBLaEfhE8PWea07WVFzHbQ7I7/w640-h398/p14.jpg)
![Poker Flat Research Inside the Lidar Laser Lab](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXtMV-w_B-fhJ3gVkL0ojvTEZVbbCBRpUQ02k8O3uMH5Dh3srOAB8vfazKalqFFyeJEP51VFvvqgNRsHpC1aGIkEoPGn8ddt2DysUW6xOBUk9CXW1Yr_ru2cspZuTuLdrctOwhNTGRZUwj/w612-h640/p25.jpg)
![Poker Flat Research The Laser Light](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8T8YkOOINNrJuPCPjs9XnaaQ8J6uh9CnnwmWPH-JDae13ySmzUQO-eENTS1AG6B0kRjvN9aXFCn7YUCH2jCN2zDX8kaJqU4UgBfIzN49cYKwwzobE0XVJ-jvqLT1Q0mt8iye49Qcfzn_r/w425-h640/p29.jpg) |
The powerful Laser beam |
![Poker Flat Research Alan moved the Lidar](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8UrxAnp29thi2PRlDK9ePOr9J3WCnWG0h3gWF-j23D3mvz_NJnBLnfhrg7xyVHqwWrpd7yvL7mJRhspW_wStjDf7xAmmXgE6dUzkB8LwzSP-Ihf5czBIuw0dyt_TRq32M2VIjM8JxHlG1/w640-h508/p17.jpg) |
Alan moved the Lidar it was so cool!
|
![Poker Flat Research Alan's certificate for operating the lidar](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ocewsJ4ClYrehN8qEQYC8oXisDQa12yqxAvchli0EUGL_isTdXgs9xFEFuN0cMgVtKAjt5g2RoQngPElM8UdN7IQCFXuaaTcYnemHE_0uDp8DyWoLbgN-uJQ9hKRhwupZ-1RBUueXQn4/w640-h406/20190417_193647.jpg) |
Alan's certificate for operating the lidar
|
Telemetry Building
It's they track their rockets and the data from the rockets
![Poker Flat Research Telemetry Building](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicZKv7EenLiqT7ZQaYtjvYBETavXD5fxqpFAJcj_OFXRjFXhHTMtUkYkHQQ1F6eNNKORi2Wb97uwnRqOVQjANkUMqpaIC1JWHsaKPLUzdmfLJaWf1Htvht1M7zVfYT5eIfF2J4PUTsFp0N/w640-h490/p20.jpg) |
Telemetry Building |
![Poker Flat Research Inside Telemetry Building](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6GEw2GX3T1xmSKzKkHDBSq4yaxLqRKh4FPjoBPjyOee-zfjY2V9PXdmakvBirL7HSSlSt0GmwQ4qNc52cuiSXtBuPje6MqfrP7E1L7t0oyMaaaE1MomEkArvuik9mzlaq6kZ2o9XPeqS_/w640-h486/p18.jpg) |
Inside Telemetry Building |
![Poker Flat Research Three dishes by the Telemetry building](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzlNyQ-JTE8AepLPHUDgkw7EHb5p5eauHNhc1czjSBTeYJKRImPs9acYx2Yy9LnRCekHKYkBBwcFhtnbHN4bCZqylP6g3q4UadvW8ybLtpBoA9VsheFSaxzzg17jIyiyQHGnHEANP5Ow0v/w640-h546/p30.jpg) |
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.
![Poker Flat Research Star constellations and what they mean to different cultures](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigUuT2QfKuLj1GzSZtvoQM2Q5t0bS9MtP8F-dWIhQXRzTTL7L-W7F6Hz_KwRXE2a6sjGZxKe245hBlIuVo0AW7EoKhSBui3dckymKYcyVCt8Q3WW0pFovnZUMvuPU7TnlEaJB7KDbNSQNR/w640-h408/p22.jpg) |
He was showing us the stars constellations and what they mean to different cultures around the world. |
![Poker Flat Research Print of beautiful Aurora's by Northern Light Photography](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1vL3rYUttxZUdbNNcstezItPlun-Jk_C83NIFUmsck7YbnJa50q5yMrY4HFaNGNgA95cGQnfUDOBlAX7wdPEQMWiPOZ9H3t1l6kq0HiyCLyZHhDzcbtjfsGBenpDCSiwdlDYWz2tSvCK3/w640-h380/p23.jpg) |
We also got to talked to Sacha Layos with Northern Light photography |
![Poker Flat Research Flyer of Poker Flat Research Range](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn2-U_kWuAFLG10pbPHmKy7gtBps6vjMPOhxnnaeMt6SIKfkmLYr3hihTP_HjAy01H8J5B_lAEoBygLVqfPT15cG5Wh0DXPjeZvdccOL7thpJs7oTEXRe7wk-RBE9uhLkrqdXAVJYXk_4M/w528-h640/20190417_193943.jpg) |
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/
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLe5AZSkeVBTOda-HUAuUb-VZovQ46mY80tjsxrnc8ed5Q0ieqcuU02XK9XvcDcb8HfYwkuVBbDFUMA2_mXXuVINMQW1x3FMvxpGHcjxGPypzutzXGVQKRwBz5cEGrmWMLYvb_5Ovm7wk/s200/AtoZ2019P.jpg) |
Please continue to join me in my journey to blogging from A to Z for this month of April. |