Tulsa Rocketry Prepares To Launch Hundreds Of Rockets From Pawhuska

Hundreds of locally-built rockets will launch this weekend in Green Country.

Tulsa Rocketry is hosting its biggest event of the year at the Pawhuska Municipal Airport on Sept. 24 and 25.

Andrew Lathrop of Skiatook said he has built more than 100 rockets of all sizes. His latest one is eight feet tall and is expected to reach 11,000 feet at the 18th annual "High Frontier High Power Rocket Launch."

"Kind of reminisce of the time when I was a kid, building it with my dad or just the thrilled of seeing it go up in the air and the smoke and all that stuff, just the excitement, the thrill that I get," said Lathrop.

The 35-year-old husband, father and PE teacher is a member of Tulsa Rocketry, a nonprofit dedicated to the education and safe practice of rocketry.

Lathrop said with NASA's Artemis program, more people are interested in rocketry.

"Anytime space flight becomes popular in the mainstream, it seems like we get a little more influx of people into our club,” explained Lathrop. “The benefit is just come, ask questions."

Tulsa Rocketry invites everyone to the "High Frontier High Power Rocket Launch,” where families can learn and see hundreds of rockets launch.

"It's about family, camaraderie,” said Lathrop. “It's why I love Pawhuska Frontier so much. It's because you go out there, my family from in town comes, you have stories to share."

For more information about this weekend's launch or the group's monthly meetings, go to Tulsarocketry.org.