Poker Flat Rocket Launches

Honest John launch from Poker Flat in June 1977 (1000 frame per second movie)

This rare high-speed (1,000 frames per second) film captures the launch of the Honest John–boosted Javelin sounding rocket (PF-HJJ-129) from Poker Flat Research Range on June 6, 1977. The scientific mission tested the performance of a Styrofoam heat shield designed to protect rockets during Alaska's harsh winters, documenting in remarkable detail how the shield separated during launch.

RL Super Arcas Launches from Poker Flat (1986)

Filmed by Neal Brown, then Director of Poker Flat Research Range, this video captures two RL (Rocket Lab) Super Arcas sounding rocket launches on July 29 and August 2, 1986. Viewers can watch the distinctive launch sequence, including the dramatic separation of the Styrofoam launch blocks and the rocket's 40-second powered ascent. The countdown is voiced by launch controller Pat Young, and the video concludes with a close-up of a Super Arcas rocket mounted on a 4K3 launcher, offering a rare behind-the-scenes look at one of the workhorse rockets of auroral and upper-atmospheric research.

Daytime Sounding Rocket Launch from Poker Flat (October 20, 1988)

This video captures a rare daytime sounding rocket launch from Poker Flat Research Range on October 20, 1988. Filmed by Neal Brown, the footage offers a close-up view of the launch sequence and illustrates the precision and power of the rockets used to investigate the upper atmosphere, ionosphere, and aurora. It provides a fascinating glimpse into the routine yet remarkable operations at one of the world's leading sounding rocket research facilities.