Tripoli Central Virginia #25 (TCV25) was the 25th Tripoli Rocketry Association prefecture to be established. As the low number, 25 would indicate, we have been in existence for quite some time. Established in 1989, Tripoli Central Virginia has been hosting rocketeers at its “BattlePark” launches for over three decades.

In the early years there were not as many rocket clubs or launch sites as there are today. TCV25 used a different site back then where we held one of the few high-power launches on the East coast every spring. The attendance at these launches rivalled today’s LDRS and other national events.

As more clubs and launch sites popped up all over the country, travelling to Culpeper VA to attend a high powered launch became less necessary for a lot of rocketeers in the eastern part of the US. By the early to mid 2000’s, the site location had changed and attendance at the three day spring launches had dropped off significantly. The club was looking at lower membership, old equipment, fall to spring only launches due to crops at the launch site, and most significantly, an empty treasury.

In the late 2000’s, the focus of the club was changed. Instead of only concentrating on providing a high powered launch site and facilities for Tripoli research and commercial launches, the club began to promote and support more low and mid powered youth activities and outreach. The growth of the Team America Rocket Challenge (TARC) started bringing more youth and families to the launches.

In 2008, Ivan Galysh organized and started the Battle of the Rockets (BotR). While TARC is geared toward youth 13 – 18 years old from Scouts, Schools, 4 – H, and other youth groups, the BotR was intended to be the next level up. It is a competition designed and geared for High School and College science and engineering students. Praxis Inc. became the primary sponsor while TCVA25 became the host of the BotR. There are now teams attending from colleges and universities as far away as Texas. In 2010 the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) added another contest to the Battle for their Young Professionals group. This is for the young working professionals in the organization and has been a great addition to the Battle of the Rockets.

In 2009 the Tripoli LDRS28 event was held on the East coast. This was very fortuitous for TCV25, which was a co-host of LDRS28 in Potter NY. With the additional funds hosting these events brought in and donations from members, TCV25 was able to update equipment. Ten 1010 rail launch pads were acquired along with wireless launch controllers, a trailer launcher, and additional 1515 launch pads to go along with the existing pads, sound system, large tent, tables and other equipment.

The club is proud to be a part of inspiring young people at both the high school and college levels to excel in the study of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM).