Rhode Island Model Rocket Association

Please pray to the rocket gods that the wind and rain hold off until the launch ends!

There will be no launch in Nov 8. We’re hoping for better weather next weekend.

We are back, baby!!!

• 08:30 AM — Field and range setup (volunteers welcome!)
• ~9:30–10:00 AM — First launch window
• Launch operations — Continuous through early afternoon, typically until ~3:00 PM or when flight activity winds down

• Navigate to West Kingston School (3119 Ministerial Rd, West Kingston, RI 02892)
• Turn onto the dirt road just before the school entrance (signs will be posted)
• Cross the paved bike path with caution (watch for cyclists and pedestrians)
• Parking is permitted on the field/access road at your own risk; please drive slowly, be courteous, and follow volunteer directions

• From I-95 North → Rte 138 East → Ministerial Rd → dirt road before West Kingston School
• From Rte 4/US-1 → Rte 138 West → Ministerial Rd → dirt road before West Kingston School

• $10 per flyer (A–G motors) for the day
• $25 per flyer (cluster motors and >H motors) for the day

• Date: Saturday, August 16, 2025
• Time: Setup begins at 8:30 AM | Launches start ~9:30 AM | Wrap-up ~1:00/2:00 PM.  Please arrive early as we will shut down operations when the launch activity slows and when members are running out of motors to launch!  We appreciate your assistance setting up and breaking down the launch equipment.
• New Field Location: Plains Road Field on URI property across from the solar fields in West Kingston.
• Hosted by: University of Rhode Island (URI)
• In collaboration with: Rhode Island Model Rocket Association (RIMRA)
• Rockets and Motors Allowed: The event is limited to Class 1 rockets with low- and mid-power motors only

Launch participation: $10 per flyer for the day (covers expenses for equipment & logistics)
Spectators welcome – bring your curiosity and enjoy the show for free!
Lunch available: Hot dogs, grilled cheese, drinks, and chips will be available for purchase

• Date: Sunday, June 29, 2025
• Time: Setup begins at 8:30 AM | Launches start ~9:30 AM | Wrap-up ~2:00/3:00 PM.  We appreciate your assistance setting up and breaking down the launch equipment.
• New Field Location: Plains Road Field on URI property across from the solar fields in West Kingston.
• Hosted by: University of Rhode Island (URI)
• In collaboration with: Rhode Island Model Rocket Association (RIMRA)
• Rockets and Motors Allowed: The event is limited to Class 1 rockets with low- and mid-power motors only

The URI farmer has told us that they will be making hay on the field on Saturday, so we have to postpone the launch. Sorry for the late notice.

The University of Rhode Island (URI) is proud to host a STEM outreach rocket launch event in collaboration with the Rhode Island Model Rocket Association (RIMRA) on Saturday, June 21th. This hands-on event brings together science, engineering, and community engagement—open to students, families, educators, and rocketry fans of all ages!

🚀 Event Highlights:
Date: Saturday, June 21, 2025
Time: Setup begins at 8:30 AM | Launches start ~9:30 AM | Wrap-up ~2:00/3:00 PM. We appreciate your assistance setting up and breaking down the launch equipment.
New Field Location: Plains Road Field on URI property across from the solar fields in West Kingston.
Hosted by: University of Rhode Island (URI)
In collaboration with: Rhode Island Model Rocket Association (RIMRA)
Rockets and Motors Allowed: The event is limited to Class 1 rockets with low- and mid-power motors only.

Whether you’re launching rockets or just curious to learn more, this event is a great opportunity to explore STEM in action, meet members of the rocketry community, and experience the excitement of flight!
🎟️ Launch participation: $10 per flyer for the day (covers expenses for equipment & logistics)
🎉 Spectators welcome – bring your curiosity and enjoy the show for free!
🌭 Lunch available: Hot dogs, grilled cheese, drinks, and chips will be available for purchase

Important Notes:
📍 Map of launch site is in the post below.  Look for posted signs to guide you to the access point for the field. Please refer to our map and directions to access the URI field via Plains Road.
The field is not mowed, so bring chirpers, colorful parachutes, and other devices to recover your rocket(s) in the high grasses.
We will have some canopies and chairs, but please be prepared to be outdoors (sunscreen, bug spray, lawn chair, etc.).
Let’s launch curiosity, community, and rockets—we hope to see you there!

Warm regards,
Dr. Brenton DeBoef, Daniel DiMase & Robert Hoffman

(The photo is of the URI Rocket Team’s launch last month of a 10′ x 6″ rocket on an L1260 motor.)

RIMRA will hold a low and mid-power rocket launch on April 19.  We will be using a new field at URI.  Since this is Easter weekend, the rain date will be the following Saturday, April 26.

The new launch site is located on the University of Rhode Island property on farmland to the left-hand side of Plains Road across from the solar fields in West Kingston, Rhode Island.   

To enter, use the dirt access road to the field via a gate located on the western (left-hand side) of Plains Road.  See the map below.  Drive slowly and carefully on this short (and bumpy) road!  Look for the “Rocket Launch” sign/banner posted at the entrance!  The map below provides a description.

Individuals are allowed to drive and park vehicles on the access road  (at your own risk).  When driving in, park on the right-hand edge of the roadway (closest to AMTRAK), or near the end/turnaround area.  We are fortunate to have the use of the URI property and work with the University to maintain this relationship.  So please use caution, watch for people in the area, and be courteous when driving.

Travel Directions

From the South/West: Take I-95 North to Exit 7 (Old exit 3A) towards Route 138 East. Continue east on Route 138 for about 10.5  miles to the traffic light at Ministerial/Plains Road (after TLC Roasters).  At this traffic light, turn left onto Plains Road.  Follow Plains Road for approximately one mile until reaching a 4-way intersection at the URI Plains Parking Lot.  Take a left to continue on Plains Road, and continue for 0.5 miles.  The entrance will be on the left (past the URI Transfer Station) and is across from solar fields.

From the North/East: Take I-95 South to Exit 24B (Old Exit 9) towards Route 4 South.  Follow Route 4 southerly, which continues into to Route 1 South.  Stay on Route 1 until the intersection with Route 138 West (Moorsefield Road).  Turn right onto Route 138 and travel for about 6 miles.  Go past Upper College Road where you see the large University of Rhode Island stone wall entrance, and continue past the Ryan Center for about 1/3 mile until reaching the traffic light at Ministerial/Plains Road.   Turn right onto Plains Road and follow Plains Road for approximately one mile until reaching a 4-way intersection at the URI Plains Parking Lot.  Take a left to continue on Plains Road, and continue for 0.5 miles.  The entrance will be on the left (past the URI Transfer Station) and is across from the solar fields.

Link for high-res map:  Plains Road Field – URI 1

Link for high-res map of launch site: Plains Road Field

Dear RIMRA Members,

We regret to inform you that our scheduled launch for this Saturday, March 15, is cancelled due to ongoing work at the Peckham Farm field. We appreciate your understanding as we work through this unexpected change.

We are currently coordinating with the University of Rhode Island to secure an alternative launch site and are hopeful that we can have the logistics finalized for our next scheduled launch on April 19. We will keep you updated as we receive more information.

Thank you for your patience and continued support. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out.

Best regards,

Rhode Island Model Rocket Association (RIMRA)