Launch Safety

Strong safety practices are the foundation of VRA

Rocketry has an excellent safety record and we want to keep it that way.

As a prefecture of the Tripoli Rocketry Association we follow Tripoli’s safety guidelines and safe launch practices.

We encourage all members to visit the Safety Information Page on Tripoli’s website and become familiar with the relevant safety documents.

In particular we draw your attention to:

• Tripoli Safety Code

• Tripoli Range Safety Guidelines

Don't hesitate to reach out to a member of the committee for clarification on any point of safety regarding our operations.

Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA)

CASA is the Australian national authority for the regulation of civil aviation. In 2002 CASA published an advisory circular that provides guidance to the public in the operation of rockets and the means whereby they may safely and legally launch them.

VRA holds instruments with CASA for our dedicated launch sites allowing for safe and legal rocketry operations at our launch events.

Banned Motors

Sparky Motors

Sparky motors contain particles of titanium (sometimes referred to as ‘titanium sponge’) in the propellant grains, resulting in a shower of sparks being emitted from the motor when the rocket is launched.

These types of motors have several descriptive names, including

• Skidmark
• Spitfire
• Black Lightning
• Metalstorm
• Dark Matter

While they are lots of fun to watch they greatly increase the risk of fire at the launch site.

Green Motors

Green motors contain barium nitrate, a hazardous chemical compound, which is what gives them their flame colour. It can be dangerous to breathe, touch, or ingest. 

Unfortunately for these reasons, sparky & green motors are unable to be flown at VRA launch sites. 

For a complete list of banned motors, please click here.