Rocketeers' Cult Keeps the Solid Fuel Burning

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Author	Topic: Rocketeers' Cult Keeps the Solid Fuel Burning
KC Stoever Member Posts: 1012 From: Denver, CO USA Registered: Oct 2002	posted 10-14-2006 09:37 AM This is a front-page story on the NYT today (Saturday). Very droll, with a wonderful cast of personalities and rockets. Rocketeers' Cult Keeps the Solid Fuel Burning I love the names of some of the rockets: "Questionable Mental Health." Mike Mullane is quoted as saying he remembered Sputnik as "the 9/11" of his childhood--a blow to the American ego. A fascinating insight. [Edited by KC Stoever (October 14, 2006).]
wickball Member Posts: 107 From: Cleveland, Ohio, USA Registered: Jul 2005	posted 10-14-2006 11:13 AM Hello Kris, It's an honor for me to speak to you.I just wanted to say thanks for showing interest in a hobby I happen to be a part of. We have had a long and tiring struggle with the ATF and their attempts to regulate us out of the high power rocketry hobby. Myself or any of my fellow rocketry hobbyists could probably write a book on the subject. I just wanted to note that the Tripoli Rocketry Association and the National Association of Rocketry and its members have always done a remarkable job of policing the hobby. We have always had very strict certification procedures in place that allow only those who have demonstrated the necessary skills and competence to be able to purchase and fly high power motors, motors higher than the G designation. These model rockets have no guidance system and are always flown in areas where we have prior FAA authorization. For reasons I can't explain, the ATF perceives these motors as explosives. They don't explode. They just burn. Believe me, with all the time, labor , and expense we put into building our rockets, that last thing we would do is put something into them that would destroy them. A typical club launch is a family event, moms, dads, and the kids all enjoying a fun and safe hobby. Unfortunately, recent events may now force many, myself included, from the hobby due to costly and difficult to obtain permits. Just wanted to shed a little more light on the subject, thanks for listening. wick p.s. Here is a link to the National Association of Rocketry: http://www.nar.org/ [Edited by wickball (October 14, 2006).]
KC Stoever Member Posts: 1012 From: Denver, CO USA Registered: Oct 2002	posted 10-14-2006 12:35 PM Thanks for that, wick. I figured there were some cSers who were members of the Tripoli group or the NAR. I thought the article did a good job describing the NAR's battle with the various federal agencies. Good luck with your rockets. It sounds like lots of fun.
Frewi80 Member Posts: 120 From: Hawaii. Waipahu Registered: Jun 2006	posted 10-16-2006 01:25 AM Aloha I wish I was on the 'mainland' and become an active model rocketry member ! Here in Hawaii there is no way to launch anything. You get even in trouble flying an high altitude kite. ------------------ May the Force be with you.... @lways Freddy
Danno Member Posts: 572 From: Ridgecrest, CA - USA Registered: Jun 2000	posted 10-16-2006 10:46 AM quote: Originally posted by wickball: For reasons I can't explain, the ATF perceives these motors as explosives. They don't explode. They just burn. Well, they are not SUPPOSED to explode, but I have seen it. I had a couple last weekend that were deemed "Cub Scout Seeking Missiles". God help us in the Iraqis ever get there hands on them.... and we recruit cub scouts.
wickball Member Posts: 107 From: Cleveland, Ohio, USA Registered: Jul 2005	posted 10-16-2006 05:40 PM Kris, You are very welcome and thank you. Freddy, I believe that the NAR still has a section on Oahu. As a matter of fact I heard through the rocketry grapevine that Michael Okuda, set/artistic designer for Star Trek: The Next Generation, was a member of that club at one time. Click on the NAR link above to find a listing of all NAR sections and contacts. Danno, There are occasional reports of manufacturing defects in motors. If you click on the NAR link above, you will find a place to report this. The NAR maintains a database of faulty motor events and reports them to the manufacturer. The manufacturers are very good about replacing damaged kits. wick

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