Lakeside Fire District | Information - Rocket Testing
On an occasional basis, fixed rocket motor tests are conducted in the area of Highway 67 and Slaughterhouse Canyon Road, within the boundaries of the Lakeside Fire Protection District and the State Responsibility Area (SRA) and within a San Diego County High Impact Industrial Zone. These tests are conducted by a private firm, the Sierra Nevada Corporation.
Although the schedule of these tests is not set, they usually occur in the afternoon and last only 30-60 seconds. As part of the test, the rocket engine exhaust is cooled by a water system which produces a tall column of steam and a small amount of black smoke. In addition, a roaring sound can be heard throughout the test.
This facility and the tests themselves are conducted under a permit issued by the County of San Diego. The facility has been inspected by the Fire District and all applicable safety regulations have been met, including the installation a fire suppression system. Local authorities, including the Fire District, CALFIRE, CHP and the Sheriff’s Department are notified in advance of the tests to avoid an unnecessary dispatch of emergency units. Because of the ever-changing nature of the test schedule, the public is not routinely notified prior to the tests.
For more information about the propulsion system being tested, including photos of the Lakeside facility, go to: http://www.spacedev.com/propulsion.php
For more information about Sierra Nevada Corporation, go to:
http://www.spacedev.com/southern_california.php
To view this video of a rocket test, double click the image.