Starting January 1, 2024; all DPF contestants must use a bipropellant rocket utilizing liquid oxygen as an oxidizer.
Friends of Amateur Rocketry (FAR)
FAR is an organization and facility (FAR Site) for experimenters who want to test and fly rockets of their own design.
FAR serves individuals and teams who seek a place to develop and test engines, test fly rockets, test and fly avionic systems, or most anything related to rocketry. Our facility in the Mojave Desert has launchers for everything from hobby store model rockets all the way to rockets weighing more than 1,000 pounds. Our static test stands allow you to mount an engine, or an entire rocket, and fire the motor before attempting a flight. Whether it's a rocket powered by a commercially manufactured solid propellant motor, an experimental propellant you made, or a complex liquid propellant rocket, all are welcome! If you want a place to do tests legally and safely, or just fly some rockets for fun, we are here to help!
We conduct operations at FAR Site on the first and third Saturday of each month. There are exceptions, so check our CALENDAR. On a typical day we'll often have individuals and research groups, college teams, Girl or Boy Scouts, and families who enjoy flying rockets. Information on who is using FAR Site on our launch days can also on be found on the CALENDAR.
FAR Site facilities are also available for rent to commercial, institutions, government research groups, TV and motion picture productions, and others. You can book us for private use dates during the week or weekends if the regular event days do not meet your needs. We are inexpensive, and we have done the regulatory compliance to be able to serve your needs. The following pages on our website will help you learn more:
STATIC TEST STANDS -- FAR Site has multiple static test stands for test firing solid, hybrid, and liquid rocket motors/engines. These stands allow for vertical, horizontal, and inverted tests of the various rocket motors/engines.
STATIC TEST REQUEST -- To request to static fire a rocket motor/engine at FAR Site, use this page.
LAUNCHERS -- FAR Site has multiple rocket launchers utilizing small and large rail buttons, small and large racks for rockets without launch lugs or rail buttons, and T-rails launchers for big rockets with launch lugs. We also have launcher with different lengths: 10-foot, 20-foot, and 60-foot. We also have wire launchers for model rockets.
LAUNCH REQUEST -- To request to launch a rocket at FAR Site, use this page.
VISIT REQUEST -- To visit FAR Site to check out the facilities and meet our staff, use this page.
USE REQUEST -- To request to use FAR Site for other activities such as: film, movies, aerospace testing, etc. use this page.
FAR is Incorporated as a not-for-profit, public benefit organization with IRS 501(c)3 charitable status. All of our staff are unpaid volunteers who do this because we see value in it. We founded FAR with the goal of giving people a place to explore amateur rocketry and have fun doing it. Students of all ages are especially welcome. Several of us have mentored student groups for many years, and FAR is an extension of that desire to teach, inspire, and support the next generations who will outdo us all.
Want to know more about us?