Next launch: Hearne, Saturday, October 10

Tripoli HoustonRocket Club

Model and high power rocket launches every month in Hearne and near Alvin, Texas. The first Tripoli prefecture in Texas, flying since 1985.

Register for a launch See the launch schedule

Club footage from Hearne and Airfest launches

Next launch

Hearne Municipal AirportSaturday, October 10, 9 am to 4 pm. Weather permitting.

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The second Tripoli prefecture ever formed, and the first in Texas

Tripoli Houston was chartered on December 10, 1985. Forty years later we still meet every month to fly, from first-timers with a model rocket kit to members pushing the limits of our FAA waiver.

We added NAR Section 916 in 2022 and support both the Tripoli Rocketry Association and the National Association of Rocketry. Every newcomer gets a warm welcome. Bring kolaches and it gets warmer.

Tripoli prefecture
No. 002
NAR section
No. 916
Chartered
December 10, 1985
Highest waiver
17,500 ft
A rocket lifting off the pad in a cloud of smoke at Hearne
Liftoff at Hearne, September 2026. Photo by Tripoli Houston.

2026 launch schedule

Hearne flies the second Saturday of every month. The South Site flies the fourth Saturday, February through August, for members only. Registration for each launch opens one week before.

MonthHearneSecond SaturdaySouth SiteFourth Saturday, members only
January10No launch
February14Canceled for weather28Opening day
March1428
April1125Canceled for weather
May9Canceled for weather22 to 25Texas Shoot Out, Seymour, TX
June1327
July1125
August822
September1226 and 27High Frontier, Tulsa, OK
October10No launch
November147BSA launch, canceled
December12Christmas partyNo launch

Launches run 9 am to 4 pm, weather permitting. Weather calls and changes go out on the club's Groups.io page, so join it before you drive out.

Where we fly

Two fields with two FAA waivers. Hearne is open to every eligible flyer. The South Site is for Tripoli Houston members.

A rocket leaving the pad in a cloud of smoke at Hearne Municipal Airport
12,500 ftwaiver, called in monthly

Hearne Municipal Airport

Crennan Ln, Hearne, TX 77859

When
Second Saturday of every month
Who can fly
Any eligible TRA or NAR flyer
Get directions Field maps

On launch day

  • Flying runs 9 am to 4 pm.
  • Both fields have restrooms, and hand sanitizer is on hand.
  • It gets hot. Bring water, sunscreen and your own shade.
  • Kids are welcome. They stay in your setup area, and a parent or guardian goes out with them to fly.
  • Read the launch site rules before your first visit.
  • Check the weather links the morning of.

From the field

This season at Hearne, the South Site, the Texas Shoot Out and High Frontier, from the club's archive of more than 10,000 photos.

A rocket leaving pad 21 on a column of smokeHigh Frontier, Tulsa, September 2026 A high power rocket climbing off the padTexas Shoot Out, Seymour, May 2026 Two rockets launching side by sideDrag race, High Frontier An orange and white rocket in flight against blue skyHigh Frontier, September 2026 A red rocket lifting off the rail at HearneHearne, September 2026 A rocket descending under a colorful parachuteRecovery, South Site, August 2026 A flyer watching through a camera on a tripod at the flight lineOn the flight line, High Frontier The launch control officer in a yellow LCO vest watching the padsLaunch control, High Frontier A two-piece rocket descending under its parachuteRecovery, Hearne, September 2026 A rocket lifting off from pad 22High Frontier, September 2026

Photos and video by Tripoli Houston. Select a photo to open its album on Flickr.

Browse every album Watch on YouTube

Fly with us

Before your rocket goes on the rail, take care of these three things.

  1. Be a TRA or NAR member

    Join the Tripoli Rocketry Association or the National Association of Rocketry. Under 18, or not a member? Have a signed TRA waiver of release on file. We fly under TRA insurance.

    Join TRAJoin NAR

  2. Register for the launch

    Registration for each monthly launch opens one week before launch day. South Site launches always need registration.

    Open registration

  3. Bring your flight card

    Print your flight card and any member forms before you head out, so you can fly as soon as you get to the field.

    Flight cards and forms
Randy Marek, Tripoli Houston's Prefect, at a launch

Going for your high power certification?

Talk to our Prefect, Randy Marek, about certification flights or any rocket project you're planning.

Cert flights come with a tradition: bring kolaches. It's a Tripoli Houston thing.

Email the Prefect Certification info

Become a member

Memberships run for the calendar year and help the club plan its launches and expenses for the season.

  • Members-only South Site launches
  • Full club privileges
  • Discounts on launch fees and club merch

Individual

For one flyer.

  • Membership
  • Membership with launch fees

Family

For your whole household.

  • Membership
  • Membership with launch fees

Club, college or team

Needs a team leader at the launch, or an assigned team leader for the South Site.

  • Team membership
Choose a membership Pay a launch fee

Registration and payment are handled securely through Zeffy.

Club officers

  • Jimmy Higham at a launchJimmy HighamPresident, TRA 13951 L3
  • Randy Marek at a launchRandy MarekVice President and Prefect
  • Alan WhiteAlan WhiteSecretary
  • OpenTreasurer. Interested? Let us know.
Tripoli Houston 40th anniversary logo, established 1985

Forty years of flying over Texas

Tripoli Houston is a nonprofit, run by the members who show up to fly. Donations keep the fields open, and if your company matches gifts to nonprofits, please add us.

The 40th anniversary gear has arrived, too.

Donate Shop anniversary gear Donate with PayPal