Small 14-pound rockets with instrumented nose cones will be used again this summer to probe thunderstorms over Langmuir Laboratory in the Magdalena Mountains west of Socorro. Similar measurements made in previous years have contributed considerably to our understanding of thunderstorms, but more are needed in order to gain an understanding of how clouds grow to be thunderstorms and produce rain and lightning.
The Federal Aviation Agency has established around Langmuir Laboratory a 5 x 5-1/2-mile area restricted to aircraft during the summer months. This area is designated R5113; it is shown on the "Albuquerque Sectional Aeronautical Chart." The area can be closed to aircraft on one-hour notice when rocket or balloon launchees will be made from Langmuir Laboratory. Pilots can determine its status by contacting the Albuquerque Air Route Traffic Control Center.
The U.S. Forest Service has authorized the use of an irregularly-shaped landing area within the 5 x 5-1/2-mile restricted area. More specifically, in R3W,T4S the area includes parts of Sections 1, 12, 24, and 25. A small bit of the southeast corner of Section 36 in R4W,T3S and a narrow strip along the south border of Section 31 in R3W,T3S are also included. The area boundary is shown on the accompanying map.
The road and trails which enter the landing area are the Langmuir Laboratory access road, Sawmill Canyon trail, Timber Peak trail, Hardy Spring trail, Crest trail, Copper Canyon trail, Ryan Hill Canyon trail, and the Baldy Crossing trail.
Warning signs with maps showing the landing area are posted where the road and trails enter the area, stating that during summer thunderstsorms several rockets may be impacted in the area ahead.
The staff at Langmuir Laboratory is eager to cooperate with hikers
and others who want to enter the rocket landing area. Please call
Langmuir Laboratory, 575-835-5423, and ask for Bill Winn.