Welcome to RIMRA
The Rhode Island Model Rocket Association
The Rhode Island Model Rocket Association (RIMRA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational organization and a chartered section of the National Association of Rocketry (NAR #755).
Founded in 2013, RIMRA brings together rocketeers, families, students, educators, and STEM enthusiasts from Rhode Island and throughout Southeastern New England. Our mission is to provide a safe and enjoyable venue for model rocketry while using the hobby as a hands-on tool for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education and community outreach.
Members range in age and skill level from novice to very experienced, and come from all walks of life to share their common love and excitement for amateur rocketry.
Our Vision & Mission
Our Vision
To promote the enjoyment and excitement of amateur rocketry, with the intent to utilize the hobby as a tool for teaching science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) concepts and practices through engaging with the physical sciences.
Our Mission
To provide a safe and enjoyable venue for launching amateur rockets, and bring people of all ages together who are interested in rocketry and hands-on STEM experiences.
A Community Built Around Rocketry
RIMRA is a chartered section of the National Association of Rocketry. Sport flying, competitive events, and high-power rocketry are all part of the RIMRA schedule.
Our various outreach events are designed and held to encourage students to become involved with science and engineering through a hands-on experience with model rocketry. Groups from the American Rocketry Challenge (ARC) work with RIMRA members to prepare for these widely recognized and attended competitions.
We are a low-, medium-, and high-power rocket club and take pride in supporting our broad membership and their wide range of rockets.
Our Launches & Commitment to Safety
Safety is our greatest concern. Our range safety protocol follows all NAR Rocket Safety Codes, and our experienced rocketeers are always available to assist novice fliers.
Our launch site is adjacent to the University of Rhode Island campus. Launches are generally held monthly on the second or third Saturday from April through November, with Sunday reserved as a rain date. The field is owned by URI and operated by a private farmer.
Launches are open to anyone who wants to build and fly model rockets, or simply watch and enjoy the wide variety of rockets being launched. Please check our Launch Schedule for specific dates and our Launch Site & Travel Directions page before visiting.
Flight Altitudes & Airspace Coordination
We closely observe all Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rules. Flights up to an altitude of 1,500 feet remain subject to applicable FAA requirements and our range safety procedures.
Altitudes over 1,500 feet and up to 4,500 feet require clearance from the T.F. Green Airport control tower, which holds the final decision to approve or deny any flight.
We hope to see you at one of our launches! Consider becoming a RIMRA member—it’s a great hobby and fun for everyone.
RIMRA’s first launch
Where Fun & Learning Come Together
Model rocketry provides a rare intersection of fun and learning. Building and flying model rockets promotes science, technology, engineering, math, and art skills.
Model rocketry is also a powerful tool for teachers who wish to incorporate these skills, concepts, and practices into a fun, engaging, challenging, and rewarding activity.
When designing model rockets in the computer lab, students have an opportunity to match their ingenuity with the limits of Newton’s laws of physics in order to design their own model rocket that is aerodynamically sound. Fine motor skills are honed during the construction of the rockets as they measure, cut, and glue their rocket parts to the specifications that they themselves determined.
Teamwork is a skill that they acquire as they organize into a group with many specialized responsibilities for the purpose of launching their rockets and collecting valuable data to be processed and analyzed in the classroom.
Suddenly, the Pythagorean theorem makes sense as they visualize the giant triangle formed by the flight path of their rocket. Newton’s laws are in full enforcement right before their very eyes. Through the activities of model rocketry, science and math not only exist, they “come to life.”
Support RIMRA’s STEM Mission
Help support hands-on STEM education, community outreach, and safe rocketry. Visit our Support RIMRA page to learn about donations and workshop sponsorships.
Join, Visit & Stay Connected
Membership: Become a RIMRA Member
Launch Location: Launch Site & Travel Directions
Club Email: Rocket@RIMRA.org
Facebook: Follow RIMRA on Facebook
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