ABOUT THE CLUB

The Mid-South Rocket Society (MSRS) was founded in 1993 by Ben Nicholson and Mike Hollihan, who reconnected through their shared passion for high-power rocketry after attending a demo by Dr. Gerry Bock and Rick McBroom. Their first public launch event took place in November 1995 at Shelby Farms, drawing about 20 enthusiasts and media attention. Subsequent events attracted even larger crowds, but a safety incident led to a temporary ban on rocketry. With the support of William Wood from the Memphis Space Center and after demonstrating compliance with safety standards, MSRS secured approval and an official National Association of Rocketry (NAR) charter in early 1997. The club’s first official launch was held in March 1997, marking the beginning of organized, community-driven rocketry in the Mid-South