Tampa Bay Rocketry Association

TBRA

When the upper stage motor lit, it immediately ejected the forward closure and the entire upper stage propellent grain was off on it's own. Amazingly, the only damage was a broken fin. The rocket was flown again the next month. 

​Original photos courtesy of Chris Nilsen

Scale Nike-Hercules, with unexpectedly realistic flight and function. ​Scratch-built, based loosely on the Launch Pad Plan-Pak version. ​Larger tubing, battery, LED, safety switch in upper stage.
​4 - Estes E12 motors in booster stage, 1 Estes E12 in sustainer stage. 
​Unexpected, but spectacular flight conclusion. Note the captions in each photo.

                           TOM'S ROCKET GEAR

Tom's Rocket Gear is in the process of closing up completely. Tom has been a supporter of TBRA and many other rocket clubs for many years. All remaining merchandise is at reduced prices. If anyone would like to take over, and become a rocketry vendor, see Tom at one of our next launch events, or contact him at info@tomsrocketgear.com

PLEASE NOTE
We have a brand new "out house" facility, thanks to the hard work of Rick, Dan, Jim, Dakota, and a few others.

It features an actual, working toilet with a water supply. 

Please help us keep it clean and in good shape.

We have a problem with member email addresses. The last couple of times we have tried to send out notices to members, a lot of them came back as un-deliverable. At the next launch event, all members need to see Mike Nipper and verify that their contact information is correct.

The Tampa Bay Rocketry Association honors all current and former members of the United States Military Services. And most of all our fallen members, and the families they leave behind. We owe them a debt that can never be paid. 

TBRA Membership dues are suspended until such time as we have a new launch site and resume regular launch activities.

 2025 Launch Schedule
   Subject to Change

​We conduct low, mid, and high power rocket launch activities near Plant City FL. We are a dual affiliated group, operating as the Tripoli Rocketry Association Prefecture 17, and as Section 934 of the National Rocketry Association.

**********NOTICE***********

We are still searching for a new launch site. While a large site of several hundred acres would be ideal, we will look at anything that will allow us to launch something. 

Keep in mind that when we do secure a new site, it may take 2 or 3 months to obtain a new FAA Authorization.

If anyone has any ideas or locations they think might work, please submit them here.