In this episode, CG, Gheem and Daniel catch up on the latest (as of this recording) rocket news as well as the status of their projects, and the changes to the show moving forward.

CG discusses the new Rocket Flight Computer progress. Here are some screen shots of his new interface software written in Python to connect, program, and download data from his Flight Computers.

Check out our website @ https://therocketryshow.com for images from CG's projects.

Mentioned in this episode:

The Rocketry Forum

The next episode is about two weeks out, where CG has LOTS to follow up on, and it has a LOT to do with the delay getting this one posted.

Enjoy!

Mentioned in this episode:

The Rocketry Forum

Each year, ESRA accepts over 150 collegiate teams from around the world to compete in the International Rocket Engineering Competition (IREC) for the prestigious title of overall winner!

Each team designs, builds, tests and launches rockets with a payload size of up to 2.2 Kg and target altitudes of either 10,000, 30,000, 45,000 even up to 100,000 feet! Rockets are typically 4 to 8 inches in diameter and 8 to 20 ft. long. Multistage rockets and all chemical propulsion types (solid, liquid, and hybrid) are allowed. The goal is to have participants learn their skills by doing (motto: Learn by doing) in a safe educational rich environment.

The IREC has been an annual occurrence since 2006. The competition achieved international status in 2011 – when schools from Canada and Brazil joined – and has continued to grow rapidly ever since. More than 1,800 students attended the 2024 competition, representing over 120 schools from 22 countries on 5 different continents.

ESRA has operated the Intercollegiate Rocket Engineering Competition (IREC) since 2006.

Competitions have been held in the following locations:

2006-2016 - Green River, Utah

2017-2024 - Spaceport America, New Mexico

This year, it happens at 2025 - Spaceport Midland, Texas.

For more info, Visit: https://soundingrocket.org

Mentioned in this episode:

The Rocketry Forum

Randy Millikin of RailButtons.Com joins us to talk about his products, and to talk rockets with us.

Some background on Mr. Millikin:

I began my hobby of rocketry in the early to mid 70’s and stopped once I discovered girls, cars and got my first bass guitar.

I launched my last rocket for many years somewhere around 1976.

But then one day around 2003, while surfing the web, I came across Aerotech’s website and discovered this interesting thing called, High Power Rocketry!

I remember thinking, WOW...M motors!

The biggest I ever flew as a kid was a D, because E’s were not made yet (or if they were, I couldn't afford them!)

I thought to myself, “ I need to find out more about this!”.

With that information filed away, I finally was able to attend a launch in 3 Oaks Michigan in 2005.

I went with my 6 year old son and my father. I was blown away and haven't looked back since.

I ordered a few Estes kits that I built with my son and flew them at the school yard near our house.

That brought back so many great memories that I just had to start building bigger rockets and fly them with bigger motors.

About a year and a half later, I got my TRA Level 1 cert in 3 Oaks.

The next year, I was able to get my Level 2, again in 3 Oaks, and a few years later, my Level 3 at LDRS28.

So why am I doing this?

Matt Strum started selling railbuttons in the 90's and had a very successful on-line business for over 10 years.

When he decided to stop selling railbuttons, it left the hobby with fewer (and more expensive) options.

After exchanging some email, he helped me with information about how he was able to provide the hobby with such and inexpensive choice for railbuttons.

It is my goal to keep supplying inexpensive railbuttons for our hobby and keep Matt's vision moving forward.

He was able to sell thousands and I hope to be able to do the same for many years to come.

Mentioned in this episode:

The Rocketry Forum

Enjoy!

Mentioned in this episode:

The Rocketry Forum

In today's episode it's a Rocket Friends general rocketry discussion. We're joined by our good friend Andrew Kleinhenz and we cover a broad range of topics including:

-Becoming a Prefect of a Tripoli chapter for the first time

-The full story of "The Fainter of Goats"

- The resolution to the AP supply issue from Aerotech

- Speaking of...the right way to get into motor making

- First time @ Airfest thoughts

And more! Patrons, stay around after the closing theme for a cute short story at the end!

"The Fainter of Goats " rocket...which has an amazing story that we share in this episode!

Mentioned in this episode:

eRockets

eRockets

The Rocketry Forum

In this episode, we talk to Tom Fetter on a deep dive on why do our rockets turn into the wind?Tom's done a lot of research, and was excited to join us to share!

Mentioned in this episode:

eRockets

eRockets

The Rocketry Forum

We're making sure everything is good to go for the new season. We got a question from a listener that CG thought would make a good topic for this test drop episode...

Mentioned in this episode:

The Rocketry Forum

We talk about what we've been up to the past couple of months as well!

Mentioned in this episode:

The Rocketry Forum

North Coast Rocketry

This MIGHT cause a glitch in our feed that you might notice when we flip the switch, so to speak.  Hopefully not!

CG explains in this short drop...

We remember one of the key founding members of Estes Rockets.  Gleda Estes passed away earlier this year while we were out of production.  We chose to dedicate an episode to her memory by listening to a re-enacting of the early years of Estes Rockets that she and husband Vern performed at NSL 2018.

In this episode we are joined with Bill and Rachel Daigle and they catch us up on their hobby adventures.  Also in this episode:

• CG's flight computer project ticks along, and he talks about how that is shaping up.
• Gheem is grilled by all of us on what it's like to have his High School rocket team accepted into the NASA Student Launch competition this year.

Enjoy!

Kip is a Level 3 rocketeer, and he'll share his experiences and share some inside tips on the topic.

He can be found on Twitter: @kipdaugirdas

If you wish to follow Kip's Youtube channel, you can find it here: https://www.youtube.com/@kdaugi

The IREC event has been going on for over 20 years now, and there is a lot to learn about it!

In this episode, we do a quick review of NARCON 2024, and we give a look behind the curtain to tell you what has been going on...

Martin became involved in rocketry as a kid in the typical way; seeing model rockets at the local hobby shop, and discovering the hobby with a friend. 

As he moved into middle and high school, he discovered mid and high power rocketry through  online rocketry communities. 

While in college he built a PML 1/4 Scale Patriot rocket to use for his Level One, but was unable to find a nearby club to certify, so his L1 rocket sat collecting dust over the years.   

After college, Vance discovered ham radio, and earned his amateur radio callsign N3VEM, and built  a portable station in his vehicle so that he could play radio while being out and on the road for work. 

As seems to be a pre-requisite for Ham Radio, Vance also became a software and hardware 'tinkerer', so for him, building radio-related projects turned out to be a lot of fun, and is still what he calls his 'primary hobby.'

Vance became a Born-Again-Rocketeer about a year ago, when his two older kids found the Patriot rocket stashed in the corner of the family storage room.  They asked 'What is this!?!'  "...and just like that" says Vance " we started building up a fleet of little Estes kits." 

Vance decided that it would be fun to combine the two hobbies, and start tinkering with radio and electronic payloads for their rockets. "I knew that 'off the shelf' stuff was available, but being a tinkerer, I wanted to build my own." he recalls.  

He continues. "I wanted to target mid-power sized rockets with my projects, since I still live in the same town, and still don't have easy access to a club with a high-power launch site."

Vance enjoys his hobbies, and is having fun, saying "I'm still very much a rocketry noob, but I'm having a blast dabbling around with building the rockets, and hacking around at hardware and software for the rockets' payloads."

Vance's website is :

 https://n3vem.com/blog/RadioRocketV2/

Greg Young shares his experiences with this topic, and what he learned is an eye opening education for all rocketeers!

About our guest...Greg shares his background in rocketry...

My rocketry experience started in 1961, at the ripe old age of 10years, when I ordered, built and flew rockets from Estes Industries. Try as I may, I was not successful at getting local hobby shops to carry rocketry supplies at that time, as the owners felt they were dangerous fireworks. 

My flying continued until taking a hiatus during my college, and then post graduate years. When my oldest daughter expressed an interest in rockets (while in 3rd grade) my flying resumed. I joined NAR, and TRA at that time and formed a local rocketry club, the Southtown's Amateur Rocket Society (STARS).

When my youngest daughter left middle school for high school, I wound up taking another hiatus, and the club disbanded.

My flying hiatus ended when my grandchildren expressed interest in rocketry. I rejoined NAR and TRA, and decided to go through the official high power certification program (something not required back in the 1980's when I flew) and am currently a level 3 flier.

I have been involved in 2 NY rocketry groups, one in Geneseo, the other in Penn Yan, and have served from 2016 through the end of 2022 as a member of board of directors, the VP, the waiver holder, the RSO and also served the Prefect of the former for part of that time. I have served on the planning committees for LDRS 34, NSL 2018, and NARAM 62, and during those launches was involved on the field running the range safety operations.

Currently I have been involved with local youth (high school and college age primarily), and officially have mentored several school ARC teams which have gone to nationals, and most recently a high school team who was chosen to participate in the 2023 NASA student launch initiative and went on to the nationals in Huntsville.

I am hoping to get time to be able to fly more, and mentor more student groups going forward. They are, after all, our future...

Jeff passed away a few weeks ago after a short battle with illnesses. He will be missed by his friends, family, and us.

We are all glad to have known him.

AeroTech/Quest News

AeroTech RMS K750ST-PS Rocket Motor Reload Kit New Product Information Release 7/11/22

AeroTech/Quest is pleased to announce the Tripoli certification and immediate availability of our new RMS Reloadable Motor System K750ST-PS rocket motor reload kit, AeroTech’s 2nd rocket motor reload kit designed to use the single-grain RMS-75/1280 hardware.

Perfect for heavy rockets launched from small fields, the K750ST-PS delivers 1,298.7 N-Sec (292.0 lb.- Sec.) of total impulse with a 1.74 burn time and an all-up weight in motor hardware of 4.29 lb. (1,945.9 g). It’s also a great booster for two-stage rockets, and features AeroTech’s aerospace-grade Super Thunder (ST) propellant formulation with a burn rate midway between Blue Thunder and Warp-9 propellant types. The K750ST-PS generates a peak thrust of 835.7 N (187.9 lb.) with an average thrust of 746.6 N (167.9 lb.). Super Thunder propellant displays a bright blue flame with prominent Mach diamonds and little smoke. 

Although the K750ST-PS produces tracking smoke, it is a “plugged” motor that does not include an ejection charge and requires the utilization of an electronically-activated recovery system.

• ...]]> The full Rocketry Show team assemble to drop the latest news updates from the hobby

  AeroTech/Quest News

  AeroTech RMS K750ST-PS Rocket Motor Reload Kit New Product Information Release 7/11/22

  AeroTech/Quest is pleased to announce the Tripoli certification and immediate availability of our new RMS Reloadable Motor System K750ST-PS rocket motor reload kit, AeroTech’s 2nd rocket motor reload kit designed to use the single-grain RMS-75/1280 hardware.

  Perfect for heavy rockets launched from small fields, the K750ST-PS delivers 1,298.7 N-Sec (292.0 lb.- Sec.) of total impulse with a 1.74 burn time and an all-up weight in motor hardware of 4.29 lb. (1,945.9 g). It’s also a great booster for two-stage rockets, and features AeroTech’s aerospace-grade Super Thunder (ST) propellant formulation with a burn rate midway between Blue Thunder and Warp-9 propellant types. The K750ST-PS generates a peak thrust of 835.7 N (187.9 lb.) with an average thrust of 746.6 N (167.9 lb.). Super Thunder propellant displays a bright blue flame with prominent Mach diamonds and little smoke. 

  Although the K750ST-PS produces tracking smoke, it is a “plugged” motor that does not include an ejection charge and requires the utilization of an electronically-activated recovery system.

  • Diameter: 75mm (2.95”)
  • Length: 266.7mm (10.5”)
  • Propellant: Super Thunder
  • Total Impulse: 1,298.7 N-Sec. (292.4 lb.-Sec.) Burn Time: 1.7 Seconds
  • Peak Thrust: 835.7 N (187.9 lb.) Delay Time: Plugged
  • Propellant Weight: 595 g (1.3 lb.) Loaded Weight: 1,947.5 g (4.3 lb.)
  
  

  California State Fire Marshal classification and approval has been granted for the K750ST-PS RMS Reload Kit. It ships with a standard FirstFire Initiator, has a suggested retail price of $157.99 each and may be purchased by consumers 18 years of age or older with a minimum Level 2 NAR or TRA Certification, or by educational institutions, government agencies and licensed commercial entities.

  Aerotech Discontinues some of its motors

  They are discontinuing several 24mm reloads as well as their 18mm and 32mm Glider motors typically used for gliders.  

  Here is the list of discontinued motors: 

  • 33400 C3.4T-P 18mm RMS-R/C (3-pak)
  • 33400-12 C3.4T-P 18mm RMS R/C (12-pak)
  • 40700 D7-RCT 24mm RMS R/C (3-Pak)
  • 42300 D2.3T-P 18mm RMS R/C (3-Pak)
  • 42300-12 D2.3T-P 18mm RMS R/C (12-Pak)
  • 51103 E11-3J 24mm RMS (3-Pak)
  • 51200 E12-RCJ 24mm R/C (3-Pak)
  • 61203 F12-3J 24mm RMS (3-Pak)
  • 91321 RMS-32/60-100 R/C Motor
  • 91613 F13-RCT 32mm R/C (2-Pak)
  • 91616 F16-RCJ 32mm R/C (2-Pak)
  • 91712 G12-RCT 32mm R/C (2-Pak)
  
  

  Though it is being discontinued for general retail, Gary Rosenfield notes that the D2.3T will be produced for international competition use as needed.

  2022-23 NRC CONTEST EVENTS ANNOUNCED NAR Competition NRC Events for the 2022-2023 Contest Year

  The NAR Contest Board is pleased to announce the NRC events for the 2022-2023 Contest Year:

  • A Altitude
  • A Payload
  • A Boost/Glide Duration
  • A Streamer Duration
  • B Eggloft Duration
  • 1/4A Parachute Duration
  
  

  These events have been selected by the NAR Contest Board and the NARAM Contest Director per Sporting Code rule 13.1.3.  The 2022-2023 Contest Year starts on July 23, 2022 and ends on the last day of NARAM.  NRC flying ends June 30, 2023.

  Dan Wolf

  NAR Contest Board Chair

  RESULTS OF the NAR 2021-2022 RULES REVISION PROCESS

  The 2021-2022 RCP process concluded as of June 15, 2022 and the results of the ballot are as follows.  Appendix “D” in the sporting code states that proposals must receive a 51% yes vote in order for the proposal to become a part of the sporting code. The proposals that did pass become a part of the sporting code that will be revised and effective as of July 23rd 2022 for the new contest year, but have no bearing on NARAM-63.  A total of 90 ballots were received. Some voters abstained from voting on all of the proposals. The results and the detailed verbiage on each proposal will be on the NAR webpage under Contest Flying / Rules Revision Process   NAR Rules Revison

  RCP 2021 #001: Allow any kind of streamer attachment in streamer duration events.

  Passes: Yes: 80 / No: 7

  RCP 2021 # 002: Revise R&D Scoring

  Passes: Yes: 48 / No: 34

  RCP 2021 # 003: Change judging of Craftsmanship events to a “blind judging” format.

  Fails: Yes: 37 / No: 49

  RCP 2021 # 004: Removal of Rule 30.9.2; Returns – NARAM.

  Passes: Yes: 51 / No: 32

  RCP 2021 # 005: Require altimeters for tracking

  Passes: Yes: 68 / No: 22

  RCP 2021 # 006: Add Sport Scale (Sport, Peanut, Giant), Concept Sport Scale, Classic Model as an additional NRC event.

  e6d371f9-49b5-42bc-8e16-b1f9778be88bMon, 01 Aug 2022 04:51:44 -050036:29falsebonus81201208TRS - Rocketry Hobby News UpdateItems in this news podcast:

  SMT Designs releases all of their rocketry designs to public domain

  Steve Thatcher: "With my upcoming LDRS 40 trip and TRA Tech session there on "3D Printed Modular Avionics Bays", I wanted to make an announcement, so here it is..."

  Steve Thatcher says “I am in the process of releasing all of my rocketry designs to the public domain under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International”

  You can read the licensing in detail at https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

  You can find the designs on http://www.tinkercad.com/ by simply doing a "People" search for "SteveThatcher".  

  Once you find the profile, click it to view the parts.

  Steve has also tagged the parts with “SMTDESIGNS”, “AVBAY”, and “ROCKETRY”, but you will get more "hits" that way of other non-related parts.

  My intent in doing this is to propagate the footprint standard I created for devices and batteries over the last years, so the rocketry community could benefit.

  Thatcher says “I would also like to see my designs come to a greater use by making them available for no cost to those that have the required equipment.”

  Steve asks that the footprints for carriers and platforms remain unchanged.  Thatcher says”I recognize the need to change things when necessary, but changing footprints negates the universal benefit they provide.  Take the time to look at my entire library of parts to get a system view of why things were done.”

  Steve will be available to answer questions through SMT Designs, and the SMT Designs facebook page. _______________________________

  Tripoli News

  During the LDRS 40 Member's Banquet it was announced that that the Tripoli Wisconsin Association, Tripoli Green Bay, and Tripoli Chicago will be hosting LDRS 41 at the Richard Bong Recreation Area located in Kenosha County, Wisconsin.

  The event is planned to take place July 6, 7, 8 and 9, 2023.  

  More details and information will be coming soon.

  _______________________________

  New Unified TRA Safety Code   https://www.tripoli.org/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=795696&module_id=520420

  Tripoli Rocketry Association unveiled its new “unified” safety code on May1 of this year.

  President Bob Brown notes that: Under this safety code, there are no longer Commercial launches or Research launches, just Tripoli launches.  There are some changes to the current safety code, such as a common safe distance table, a safety code for both model rockets as well as radio-controlled boosted gliders as well as other changes.   Tripoli asks all members to please take the time to read the document in its entirety.  

  Mr. Brown notes that “While your first reaction will probably be there seem to be a lot more rules under this new document, in fact, almost nothing more restrictive has been adopted it’s just compiled into one document now.”

  TRA notes that they owe a huge thank you to Steve Shannon, “who undertook the daunting task of compiling the information from the original four documents and writing (in plain English, not legalese) a document we can all understand and follow”. ____________________________________

  Reminder on NARAM 63

  NARAM-63 will be July 16-22, 2022. Sport flying begins on Saturday, July 16, and will run through the following Friday, July 22. 

  The US Team Flyoffs/North Coast Cup flying will begin Saturday, July 16, and run through Monday, July 18.   NARAM competition flying begins on Monday, July 18, and runs through Friday, July 22.  Friday evening, July 15, will include a sport flyers briefing as well as a US Team Flyoffs/North Coast Cup briefing and model check in.

  Where is NARAM-63?

  Springfield, Missouri, located in the southwestern part of the state, is this year’s host city. The Oasis Hotel is the official hotel of NARAM-63, and will host nearly all of the evening...]]>Items in this news podcast:

  SMT Designs releases all of their rocketry designs to public domain

  Steve Thatcher: "With my upcoming LDRS 40 trip and TRA Tech session there on "3D Printed Modular Avionics Bays", I wanted to make an announcement, so here it is..."

  Steve Thatcher says “I am in the process of releasing all of my rocketry designs to the public domain under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International”

  You can read the licensing in detail at https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

  You can find the designs on http://www.tinkercad.com/ by simply doing a "People" search for "SteveThatcher".  

  Once you find the profile, click it to view the parts.

  Steve has also tagged the parts with “SMTDESIGNS”, “AVBAY”, and “ROCKETRY”, but you will get more "hits" that way of other non-related parts.

  My intent in doing this is to propagate the footprint standard I created for devices and batteries over the last years, so the rocketry community could benefit.

  Thatcher says “I would also like to see my designs come to a greater use by making them available for no cost to those that have the required equipment.”

  Steve asks that the footprints for carriers and platforms remain unchanged.  Thatcher says”I recognize the need to change things when necessary, but changing footprints negates the universal benefit they provide.  Take the time to look at my entire library of parts to get a system view of why things were done.”

  Steve will be available to answer questions through SMT Designs, and the SMT Designs facebook page. _______________________________

  Tripoli News

  During the LDRS 40 Member's Banquet it was announced that that the Tripoli Wisconsin Association, Tripoli Green Bay, and Tripoli Chicago will be hosting LDRS 41 at the Richard Bong Recreation Area located in Kenosha County, Wisconsin.

  The event is planned to take place July 6, 7, 8 and 9, 2023.  

  More details and information will be coming soon.

  _______________________________

  New Unified TRA Safety Code   https://www.tripoli.org/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=795696&module_id=520420

  Tripoli Rocketry Association unveiled its new “unified” safety code on May1 of this year.

  President Bob Brown notes that: Under this safety code, there are no longer Commercial launches or Research launches, just Tripoli launches.  There are some changes to the current safety code, such as a common safe distance table, a safety code for both model rockets as well as radio-controlled boosted gliders as well as other changes.   Tripoli asks all members to please take the time to read the document in its entirety.  

  Mr. Brown notes that “While your first reaction will probably be there seem to be a lot more rules under this new document, in fact, almost nothing more restrictive has been adopted it’s just compiled into one document now.”

  TRA notes that they owe a huge thank you to Steve Shannon, “who undertook the daunting task of compiling the information from the original four documents and writing (in plain English, not legalese) a document we can all understand and follow”. ____________________________________

  Reminder on NARAM 63

  NARAM-63 will be July 16-22, 2022. Sport flying begins on Saturday, July 16, and will run through the following Friday, July 22. 

  The US Team Flyoffs/North Coast Cup flying will begin Saturday, July 16, and run through Monday, July 18.   NARAM competition flying begins on Monday, July 18, and runs through Friday, July 22.  Friday evening, July 15, will include a sport flyers briefing as well as a US Team Flyoffs/North Coast Cup briefing and model check in.

  Where is NARAM-63?

  Springfield, Missouri, located in the southwestern part of the state, is this year’s host city. The Oasis Hotel is the official hotel of NARAM-63, and will host nearly all of the evening activities. The flying field is located west of Springfield. Sport Range Tripoli Mo-Kan will be running the sport range along with support from SLRA.  Launch pads with 1010 and 1515 rails will be available as well as 1/8″, 3/16″, 1/4”, 3/8”, and 1/2″ rods. Rockets with up to M motor class can be accommodated with an FAA waiver to 6,000 feet. Come and sport fly for the weekend or stay for the whole week.

  Contest Range

  Saturday through Monday will feature the US Team Flyoffs/North Coast Cup. NARAM competition starts Monday morning with Chad Ring serving as the NARAM Contest Director. NARAM at Night In addition to sport and contest flying each day, join us for the traditional NARAM evening events throughout the week including the Manufacturers Forum, Cannon Fund Rocketry Memorabilia Auction, NAR Town Hall Meeting, FREE Ice Cream Social, Beer Lofting, and other events culminating with the Awards Banquet on Friday evening.

  ______________________________________________

  Reminder: NAR Board of Trustees voting window is open

  « Board of Trustee Voting

  You can vote in-person at NARAM during the Town Hall meeting, online, or by mail-in ballot. You can only vote once! The Town Hall Meeting will be held Monday, July 18, 2022. To vote online, please go to the NAR.ORG site, check in under Member Resources.

  Mail-in ballots are in The Model Rocketeer, which was mailed with the May/June, 2022 issue of Sport Rocketry magazine. Under the NAR Bylaws, Senior and Leader members who joined the NAR at least one year prior to July 18, 2022 (NAR number 112135 or lower) are eligible to vote. For voting purposes, a Leader member is defined as one who has reached his/her 16th birthday as of July 18, 2022.

  This Year’s Board member candidates (New Candidate) Don Carson - Macon , NC (Current Board Member) Becky Green - San Rafael, CA (Current board member)  Lynn Thomas, Indianapolis, IN

  Bios are available on the NAR.Org site voting page.

  _________________________

  2022 NASA Student Launch results   Each year, NASA challenges middle school, high school, college, and university students from across the United States to design, build and launch a high-powered amateur rocket, fly it to an altitude between 4,000 and 6,000 feet, and make a successful landing.

  Middle and high school teams could choose to attempt the college/university division challenge or develop their own science or engineering experiment.

  Teams in the college/university division tackled a new task that mirrors NASA’s missions like the Mars Curiosity Rover.  Teams had to design a payload capable of autonomously locating where their rocket landed by identifying the rocket’s grid position on an aerial image of the launch site while transmitting the data back to their ground station. 

  This had to be accomplished without the use of GPS. The requirement simulates a challenge faced by NASA’s mission managers – communicating with spacecraft and payloads on distant plan mmmm etary bodies, where use of GPS is not an option.   Sixty teams from 22 states including Puerto Rico took part in this year’s competition, with 27 teams launching April 23 near NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. Teams that did not travel were allowed to conduct their final test flights at a home launch field.

  For the second year in a row, The University of North Carolina at Charlotte won the launch division, while Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas, won first place in the design division of NASA’s 2022 Student Launch rocketry competition.

  The University of North Carolina at Charlotte will receive $5,000 for first place in the launch division, and Tarleton State University will receive $2,500 for first place in the design division.

  The top five teams in the launch division are:

  University of North Carolina at Charlotte University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee University of Florida, Gainesville Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana The top two teams in the design division are: Tarleton State University, Stephenville, Texas New York University   ______________________________________   American Rocketry Contest (TARC)  https://rocketcontest.org/result/2022/   1) Newport High School - Team 2 from Bellevue, WA  (22-1326)   $20,000  (Flight 1)  2  (Flight 2) 11 Total Score = 13 2) Newport High School - Team 1 from Bellevue, WA (22-1804)   $15,000  (Flight 1) 2 (Flight 2) 12 Total Score 14 3) All Saints Episcopal School from Haslet, TX (22-1126) $12,500  (Flight 1) 6.12 (Flight 2) 11 Total Score = 17.12 4) Spring Grove Area Intermediate School - Team 2 from Spring Grove, PA (22-1534)  $10,000  (Flight 1) 13 (Flight 2) 6.8 Total Score = 19.8 5) Coleman High School from Coleman, TX (22-1645)  $7,500  (Flight 1) 10.12 (Flight 2) 10  Total Score = 20.12 6) Creekview High School - Team 3, from Canton, GA $3,500  (Flight 1) 17.2 (Flight 2) 7 Total Score = 24.2  7) Camas High School from Camas, WA (22-1495)  $2.500  (Flight 1) 9, (Flight 2) 16.16 Total Score = 25.16 8) Young Engineers in Action from Hawaiian Gardens, CA (22-1500) $2,500  (Flight 1) 19.64, (Flight 2) 10, Total Score = 29.64 9) Thomas Jefferson High School - Team 9 from Alexandria, VA (22-1764) $2,500  (Flight 1) 7 (Flight 2) 26.8, Total Score = 33.8 10)  Tharptown High School from Russellville, AL  (Flight 1) 1 (Flight 2) 34.12, Total Score = 35.12   Each school or organization for teams 1-5 also receives $1,000. Each school or organization for teams 6-10 also receives $500.

  ]]>44dd310e-0177-4c57-b976-66d60c92ba7dTue, 21 Jun 2022 08:02:16 -050028:55falsebonus81201208Bonus: Conway Stevens answers your questions, and ...where are the show hosts?Conway Stevens answers your questions from Episode 115.
  ]]>Conway Stevens answers your questions from Episode 115.
  ]]>229b0069-6a67-4ebe-9976-8e76cdaf12a6Fri, 03 Jun 2022 22:00:51 -050001:30:52falsebonus81201208Mike Crupe of Mack Performance Rocketry!Mac Performance rocketry! We've learned about a new (to us) way to do rocketry!

  CG gets pulled in big time, and you'll find out why when you listen!

  Enjoy!

  ]]>Mac Performance rocketry! We've learned about a new (to us) way to do rocketry!

  CG gets pulled in big time, and you'll find out why when you listen!

  Enjoy!

  ]]>56c86660-2d78-4f8d-9178-218b2dc89db1Mon, 25 Apr 2022 04:00:44 -050001:56:26falsefull81201208Bill and Rachel Daigle!Join our guests, Bill and Rachel Daigle, who are known as father and daughter rocketeers from our neighbors up North in New Brunswick CA!

  Bill talks to us about his tenure as an officer of the Canadian Rocketry Association and his career as a hobby rocketeer! He even has graced the cover of Sport Rocketry.

  Rachel tells us about how she was involved in the hobby at a young age and the joys of flying with Bill.

  Bill and Rachel talk about their individual projects and shed some insight into their largest scratch built upscales.

  We talk to them about their road to CAR Level 4 in High Powered Rocketry.

  It’s an episode full of fun and appreciation and we are happy to share this with you!

  ]]>Join our guests, Bill and Rachel Daigle, who are known as father and daughter rocketeers from our neighbors up North in New Brunswick CA!

  Bill talks to us about his tenure as an officer of the Canadian Rocketry Association and his career as a hobby rocketeer! He even has graced the cover of Sport Rocketry.

  Rachel tells us about how she was involved in the hobby at a young age and the joys of flying with Bill.

  Bill and Rachel talk about their individual projects and shed some insight into their largest scratch built upscales.

  We talk to them about their road to CAR Level 4 in High Powered Rocketry.

  It’s an episode full of fun and appreciation and we are happy to share this with you!

  ]]>6d4b6b27-61f1-44f3-bff2-4a7c129e009bMon, 14 Feb 2022 05:00:37 -050001:46:01falsefull81191198Gary Rosenfield of Aerotech Returns!Gary Rosenfield joins us to update us on some of the latest going on at Aerotech as well as:

   - Tips and tricks for selecting an appropriate motor for your high power certifcations.

   - What he is up to for Hampster Dance 2022.

   - Gary's project of digitizing a bunch of old super-8 footage of some historic & interesting high power launches from the early days of HPR.

  All this along with some interesting rocket talk!

  ]]>Gary Rosenfield joins us to update us on some of the latest going on at Aerotech as well as:

   - Tips and tricks for selecting an appropriate motor for your high power certifcations.

   - What he is up to for Hampster Dance 2022.

   - Gary's project of digitizing a bunch of old super-8 footage of some historic & interesting high power launches from the early days of HPR.

  All this along with some interesting rocket talk!

  ]]>149c2196-cff7-402d-ad2a-6216d91a04bcMon, 17 Jan 2022 05:00:44 -050001:33:45falsefull81181188117: End of the year updates; Your questions.chapAppDescHappy Holidays, and Welcome to the latest episode of The Rocketry Show for the week of December 19, 2021! This time around, we close out the year catching up on your voice and emails, and what we have been up to, and what's next for our shows. One of our listeners mentions wanting to hear from John Beans and Joe Barnard.  We talked to both of them in previous episodes.  If you want to check them out too, then here are the links to the latest ones. Latest John Beans Episode ( Episode 30): Latest Joe Barnard episode (Episode 103): We also answer yoiur questions, like how to repair damaged fins on fiberglass rockets, how to get rid of the "fuzzies" caused by painter's tape peeling away the glassine surface from cardboard rocket airframes and more!
  ]]>chapAppDescHappy Holidays, and Welcome to the latest episode of The Rocketry Show for the week of December 19, 2021! This time around, we close out the year catching up on your voice and emails, and what we have been up to, and what's next for our shows. One of our listeners mentions wanting to hear from John Beans and Joe Barnard.  We talked to both of them in previous episodes.  If you want to check them out too, then here are the links to the latest ones. Latest John Beans Episode ( Episode 30): Latest Joe Barnard episode (Episode 103): We also answer yoiur questions, like how to repair damaged fins on fiberglass rockets, how to get rid of the "fuzzies" caused by painter's tape peeling away the glassine surface from cardboard rocket airframes and more!
  ]]>ff53d738-a670-4367-bd39-ccc35a278eccMon, 20 Dec 2021 04:59:47 -050001:56:25falsefull81171178Steve Thatcher of SMT Designs53ed3cd0-3016-4e38-83bf-424fa3a68737Mon, 29 Nov 2021 04:45:56 -050001:26:40falsefull81161168Episode 115: Conway Stevens58d06997-19a7-463b-b4f5-535b053a51e3Mon, 01 Nov 2021 04:30:22 -050001:58:41falsefull81151158Jenna Kay Foertsch on this year's HotNozzleSummer eventchapAppDescWelcome to Episode 114 of The Rocketry Show! In this Episode, we'll be talking about The Hot Nozzle Summer 2021 event! Jenna Kay Foertsch joins us from the Johnson Space Center in Houston, where she works, to talk about it!

  On July 23rd of this year at the FAR launch site in the desert of California, Tim Dodd, AKA The everyday Astronaut, stomped his foot down on an air powered rocket to kick off an event that has taken the rocketry community by viral storm.  

  Photo: Tim Dodd kicking off the event Credit: Matt of HNS

  The event known as "Hot Nozzle Summer" started out as a joke on Twitter by a number of young rocketry enthusiasts earlier in the Spring, but very quickly grew into a movement spearheaded by an energetic group resulting in a major launch that took place over the weekend of July 23-26.  The goals of this group are stated on their website…

  "Hot Nozzle Summer is a movement within the amateur rocket community that seeks to break down the barriers that exist within the hobby and make it more accessible to new people, regardless of skill or training in rocketry or engineering. This movement celebrates all aspects of rocketry whether its getting a Level 1 high powered certification through NAR or Tripoli, or just shooting model rockets in the backyard with your kids this summer. You do not have to come to the live event to participate in the movement."

  Primarily a social media phenomenon, the group’s dedicated leaders pulled off an event that saw many rockets fly many of which were from people new to the hobby, or flying to achieve a higher certification level.  Jenna Kay, one of the main organizers of the event joins The Rocketry Show to discuss how the event came to be, what challenges were overcome to pull it off, and what the future might hold for what has essentially become a movement to bring people into the hobby that has not been seen before.

  ]]>chapAppDescWelcome to Episode 114 of The Rocketry Show! In this Episode, we'll be talking about The Hot Nozzle Summer 2021 event! Jenna Kay Foertsch joins us from the Johnson Space Center in Houston, where she works, to talk about it!

  On July 23rd of this year at the FAR launch site in the desert of California, Tim Dodd, AKA The everyday Astronaut, stomped his foot down on an air powered rocket to kick off an event that has taken the rocketry community by viral storm.  

  Photo: Tim Dodd kicking off the event Credit: Matt of HNS

  The event known as "Hot Nozzle Summer" started out as a joke on Twitter by a number of young rocketry enthusiasts earlier in the Spring, but very quickly grew into a movement spearheaded by an energetic group resulting in a major launch that took place over the weekend of July 23-26.  The goals of this group are stated on their website…

  "Hot Nozzle Summer is a movement within the amateur rocket community that seeks to break down the barriers that exist within the hobby and make it more accessible to new people, regardless of skill or training in rocketry or engineering. This movement celebrates all aspects of rocketry whether its getting a Level 1 high powered certification through NAR or Tripoli, or just shooting model rockets in the backyard with your kids this summer. You do not have to come to the live event to participate in the movement."

  Primarily a social media phenomenon, the group’s dedicated leaders pulled off an event that saw many rockets fly many of which were from people new to the hobby, or flying to achieve a higher certification level.  Jenna Kay, one of the main organizers of the event joins The Rocketry Show to discuss how the event came to be, what challenges were overcome to pull it off, and what the future might hold for what has essentially become a movement to bring people into the hobby that has not been seen before.

  ]]>addbf45c-5332-41e4-85b9-6262be41c78bMon, 30 Aug 2021 00:23:08 -050001:25:44falsefull71141147113: Jesse’s NSL / LDRS 2021 reportsWelcome to Season 7, Episode 113!

  In this episode:

  Jesse joins us with his interviews & wrap-up reporting of NSL 2021 and LDRS.

  He managed to get some interviews from NSL as well!

  Gheem was on vacation during this production, and CG talks about what to expect the next few weeks while The Rocketry Show is in “summertime rocket season” mode.

  ]]>Welcome to Season 7, Episode 113!

  In this episode:

  Jesse joins us with his interviews & wrap-up reporting of NSL 2021 and LDRS.

  He managed to get some interviews from NSL as well!

  Gheem was on vacation during this production, and CG talks about what to expect the next few weeks while The Rocketry Show is in “summertime rocket season” mode.

  ]]>44a6f951-a654-4f78-8527-09c8b332c511Sun, 15 Aug 2021 21:03:44 -050001:41:22falsefull71131137112: LOC Precision and Skin Walker Ranch

  Dave Barber

  Jason Turicick

  Stanton Ewert

  ]]>

  Dave Barber

  Jason Turicick

  Stanton Ewert

  ]]>4aa5099a-e372-4e9c-9da7-2e1c4b4b9132Mon, 12 Jul 2021 23:54:44 -050001:16:54falsefull71121127Workshop Talk with Joe HillJoe Hill joins the crew as we discus our rocketry projects, high power, rocketry music, and more!
  ]]>Joe Hill joins the crew as we discus our rocketry projects, high power, rocketry music, and more!
  ]]>8c16c2ac-2728-48f5-89da-e212696f84ffTue, 08 Jun 2021 01:44:00 -050001:32:18falsefull71111117110: Workshop Talk with Xyla FoxlinXyla has a degree in Engineering, an aircraft pilot, and loves partaking in any craft that involves building things.

  Gheem ran across her while looking at Joe Barnard's latest adventures at F.A.R (Friends of Amateur Rocketry) in the deserts out west which sparked a new hashtag on the Twitterverse, #HotNozzleSummer.

  Xyla was one of the names popping up, and she decided to get her level 2 certification at FAR with a very interesting rocket called "Fifi".

  We talk about this build, and her broad background in robotics, rocketry, boats, and craftwork that led to this project. Her Youtube video of the Fifi build and launch can be seen here:

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKqrQUHYgrM 

  ]]>Xyla has a degree in Engineering, an aircraft pilot, and loves partaking in any craft that involves building things.

  Gheem ran across her while looking at Joe Barnard's latest adventures at F.A.R (Friends of Amateur Rocketry) in the deserts out west which sparked a new hashtag on the Twitterverse, #HotNozzleSummer.

  Xyla was one of the names popping up, and she decided to get her level 2 certification at FAR with a very interesting rocket called "Fifi".

  We talk about this build, and her broad background in robotics, rocketry, boats, and craftwork that led to this project. Her Youtube video of the Fifi build and launch can be seen here:

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKqrQUHYgrM 

  ]]>edceb5d5-2980-42c6-b6a3-e6c44e32a40cMon, 24 May 2021 04:00:00 -050001:36:24falsefull71101107OSU's Space Cowboys rocket team and Bob Brown of KloudbustersThe Oklahoma State University rocket team “The Space Cowboys” join us to talk about their first place placement in the Argonia Cup contest. They talk about their rocket, the payload, and some of their greatest challenges in making it all happen.

  Also Bob Brown joins us to talk about The Argonia Cup, The Argonia Kansas rocket club Kloudbusters, and Airfest

  The Rocketry show wins an award! We talk about that as well!

  ]]>The Oklahoma State University rocket team “The Space Cowboys” join us to talk about their first place placement in the Argonia Cup contest. They talk about their rocket, the payload, and some of their greatest challenges in making it all happen.

  Also Bob Brown joins us to talk about The Argonia Cup, The Argonia Kansas rocket club Kloudbusters, and Airfest

  The Rocketry show wins an award! We talk about that as well!

  ]]>7b379a6a-ad62-4a02-97d5-aa4297d53ba9Mon, 10 May 2021 03:23:13 -050001:33:33falsefull71091097Northcoast RocketryMatt Steele has been busy, and Northcoast Rocketry has new kits and more as a result!

  Matt joins us to discuss.

  We also dive into the mailbag to answer your questions, including a really good question from one of you on the LEUP regulations.

  Enjoy!

  ]]>Matt Steele has been busy, and Northcoast Rocketry has new kits and more as a result!

  Matt joins us to discuss.

  We also dive into the mailbag to answer your questions, including a really good question from one of you on the LEUP regulations.

  Enjoy!

  ]]>21be106d-9e43-459e-9757-a85a34109747Mon, 26 Apr 2021 03:41:01 -050001:34:04falsefull71081087Workshop Talk with Tyler Palmer!Tyler Palmer joins us to cover a wide range of topics and interests.   

  We all found this session to be fun and informative!

  Enjoy!

  ]]>Tyler Palmer joins us to cover a wide range of topics and interests.   

  We all found this session to be fun and informative!

  Enjoy!

  ]]>f64920e9-96d0-4685-a361-87c09c946478Sun, 11 Apr 2021 18:33:18 -050001:35:14falsefull71071077106: Catching up with YouLoading new motors into Open Rocket tutorial:

  https://youtu.be/dsppUGQULJA

  Jesse posing with his The Rocketry Show mug.  Patrons of the rocketry show can up their membership level for three months to get this cool piece of swag.   Other items are available at Tee shirts and other items are also available at http://shirts.therocketryshow.com

  Gheem's project:

  Jesse's Project:

   

   

   

  ]]>Loading new motors into Open Rocket tutorial:

  https://youtu.be/dsppUGQULJA

  Jesse posing with his The Rocketry Show mug.  Patrons of the rocketry show can up their membership level for three months to get this cool piece of swag.   Other items are available at Tee shirts and other items are also available at http://shirts.therocketryshow.com

  Gheem's project:

  Jesse's Project:

   

   

   

  ]]>d5230ace-2c4d-49d1-9545-f16221c058a3Mon, 15 Mar 2021 19:00:38 -050001:32:26falsefull71061067Tim Van Milligan of Apogee Components!Welcome to Episode 105 of The Rocketry Show!

  This time around, we are joined by Tim Van Milligan of Apogee Components!  Tim hangs with us to talk about some new projects from Apogee, including some insights into the direction of RockSim!

  We also find time to talk rocket shop too!

  ]]>Welcome to Episode 105 of The Rocketry Show!

  This time around, we are joined by Tim Van Milligan of Apogee Components!  Tim hangs with us to talk about some new projects from Apogee, including some insights into the direction of RockSim!

  We also find time to talk rocket shop too!

  ]]>4bef437e-dbf4-4016-ba76-73f58b4c8822Sat, 27 Feb 2021 14:21:51 -050001:32:52falsefull71051057Workshop Talk With Toby VanderbeekIn Episode 104, we are joined by Toby Vanderbeek in our second workshop show in the new format!

  We talk rockets, and a little about what toby has done with his work on rocketry with his  Vander Burn-rocketry project, including the Vander-burn Estes Goblin fin upgrades. Listen to the episode to find out why you might want those!

  The gang talk about their favorite motors, rocket adventures, and CG gives a glimpse into his 2021 flight computer tests, and more!

  ]]>In Episode 104, we are joined by Toby Vanderbeek in our second workshop show in the new format!

  We talk rockets, and a little about what toby has done with his work on rocketry with his  Vander Burn-rocketry project, including the Vander-burn Estes Goblin fin upgrades. Listen to the episode to find out why you might want those!

  The gang talk about their favorite motors, rocket adventures, and CG gives a glimpse into his 2021 flight computer tests, and more!

  ]]>367f4404-3adf-46e4-bfe1-a92899d7b4a4Sun, 14 Feb 2021 21:16:08 -050001:36:40falsefull71041047The Continuing Adventures of Joe BarnardJoe Barnard joins us to fill us in on his continuing adventures in thrust vector rocketry, including his latest twist: Landing under rocket thrust -- not parachutes!

  You can dig deeper into his adventures by visiting his site, BPS.space.

  Also: -Jesse talks about his home paint booth, and the gang talk about what they are up to.

  - Listener feedback from the last couple of episodes

  - We talk briefly on the sale of Mach1 Rocketry

  ]]>Joe Barnard joins us to fill us in on his continuing adventures in thrust vector rocketry, including his latest twist: Landing under rocket thrust -- not parachutes!

  You can dig deeper into his adventures by visiting his site, BPS.space.

  Also: -Jesse talks about his home paint booth, and the gang talk about what they are up to.

  - Listener feedback from the last couple of episodes

  - We talk briefly on the sale of Mach1 Rocketry

  ]]>6183f320-2842-478f-8076-fd82cd468f15Sat, 30 Jan 2021 22:37:34 -050001:38:01falsefull71031037Update from the University of Akron "Akronauts" go to F.A.R., and Listener FeedbackIn this episode, the University of Akron Akronauts high power rocket team traveled to theFriends of Amateur Rocketry (FAR) site for a two staged High Power rocket launch attempt. Unfortunately, they had issues with their second stage, and the flight did not go as planned. They share with us what they learned as of when we recorded this episode.

  The Rocketry show team rip into the virtual mailbag to review your emails. One of the items discussed during our mailbag segment is the website called the “Rocketry Calculator”. You can find it at https://rocketrycalculator.com/rocketry-calculator

  We also remind our audience about the Rocketry Show tee-shirts! You can find them here:

  https://shirts.therocketryshow.com

  ]]>In this episode, the University of Akron Akronauts high power rocket team traveled to theFriends of Amateur Rocketry (FAR) site for a two staged High Power rocket launch attempt. Unfortunately, they had issues with their second stage, and the flight did not go as planned. They share with us what they learned as of when we recorded this episode.

  The Rocketry show team rip into the virtual mailbag to review your emails. One of the items discussed during our mailbag segment is the website called the “Rocketry Calculator”. You can find it at https://rocketrycalculator.com/rocketry-calculator

  We also remind our audience about the Rocketry Show tee-shirts! You can find them here:

  https://shirts.therocketryshow.com

  ]]>d6644897-f808-4961-8906-74c65a1ee24bMon, 18 Jan 2021 23:27:32 -050001:03:26falsefull71021027101: Workshop Talk: Shear pins and the Marco Polo tracker with Andrew KleinhenzThe Rocketry Show gang try a slightly new format for the workshop shows.  We are now inviting fellow rocketeers to the workshop to teach us some of their tips and tricks, and to just talk rockets.

  Our first guest is Andrew Kleinhenz, friend to both CG and Gheem, Andrew taught us many of the tricks we have built our rocketry tricks around.   He with us, answers these questions sent to us from listeners of the show!

  Shear Pin Questions:

  • How do you figure out how many pins you need?
  • Any issues with the LOC-high power type cardboard tubing and small size 2-56 or 4-40 plastic screws for shear pins?
  • Do you use any reinforcement on the cardboard airframe and components?
  • What size do you recommend? Mid Power, to High Power
    • Cardboard and Fiber Glass recommendations for shear pins
    
    
  • Where to place them? 
  • Any math equations or an online calculator?
  • Do you test those with ejection charges first?
  
  

  Marco Polo Tracker

  • What actually is that type of tracker?
  • Approximate cost?
  • Where do you buy it?
  • Difficulty of use?
  • What is the range of the unit?  (How far away can your rocket be from you and still get data)?
  • Advantages of this and disadvantages vs others on the market
  
  

  Gheem and Andrew on igniters.

  • We had some folks today launching some upgraded BT-55 Goblins today… they used those igniters that came with the package…
  • What would the Rocketry show gang have used?
  
  ]]>The Rocketry Show gang try a slightly new format for the workshop shows.  We are now inviting fellow rocketeers to the workshop to teach us some of their tips and tricks, and to just talk rockets.

  Our first guest is Andrew Kleinhenz, friend to both CG and Gheem, Andrew taught us many of the tricks we have built our rocketry tricks around.   He with us, answers these questions sent to us from listeners of the show!

  Shear Pin Questions:

  • How do you figure out how many pins you need?
  • Any issues with the LOC-high power type cardboard tubing and small size 2-56 or 4-40 plastic screws for shear pins?
  • Do you use any reinforcement on the cardboard airframe and components?
  • What size do you recommend? Mid Power, to High Power
    • Cardboard and Fiber Glass recommendations for shear pins
    
    
  • Where to place them? 
  • Any math equations or an online calculator?
  • Do you test those with ejection charges first?
  
  

  Marco Polo Tracker

  • What actually is that type of tracker?
  • Approximate cost?
  • Where do you buy it?
  • Difficulty of use?
  • What is the range of the unit?  (How far away can your rocket be from you and still get data)?
  • Advantages of this and disadvantages vs others on the market
  
  

  Gheem and Andrew on igniters.

  • We had some folks today launching some upgraded BT-55 Goblins today… they used those igniters that came with the package…
  • What would the Rocketry show gang have used?
  
  ]]>8b3753ce-6f99-4189-bc8a-06b558e52d4aWed, 30 Dec 2020 01:10:40 -050001:34:39falsefull71011017Episode 100!The entire Rocketry Show team gather for Episode 100 to look back on some of their fond memories, and talk about their projects, and more!
  ]]>The entire Rocketry Show team gather for Episode 100 to look back on some of their fond memories, and talk about their projects, and more!
  ]]>e38dfefc-78b6-4dff-b77a-591f837c7109Sun, 13 Dec 2020 19:41:06 -050001:35:46falsefull7100100799: Season 7 Premiere! - Cris Erving of Eggtimer RocketryHomeThe Rocketry Show Podcast99: Season 7 Premiere! – Cris Erving of Eggtimer Rocketry 99: Season 7 Premiere! – Cris Erving of Eggtimer Rocketry The Eggtimer Quantum

  We are pleased to have Cris Erving, founder of Eggtimer Rocketry  with us on this episode!

  We discus the Eggtimer products, and also give lots of tips and tricks to help you figure out how to solder one together!

  Some pointers:

  1. ) If you’re a beginner, use a 20 watt soldering pencil for best results.  This one from Weller is a nice one:
  
  Weller soldering pencil

  Fancy temperature controlled irons are nice, but not if you are a soldering newbie!  the wrong temperature settings will either not work well, or can destroy the electronic components you are trying to solder.

  2.) Practice soldering things together first.  Cris says go ahead, and use the eggtimer kit for practice.  If that thought makes you nervous, then get one of these surface mount soldering practice kits.

  Surface Mount solder training kit.

  IMPORTANT:  We’d suggest reading your excellent Eggtimer Rocketry kit manual all the way through to get a feel for what you are practicing for!!

  3.) To ensure success, use as little solder as possible!  The bigger the blob, the more likely it will flow to another pin, and short out your connections!

  4.) Do not overheat.  Some parts can be damaged by having the soldering tip touching them for longer than 30 seconds.  In fact, this is a nice simple video that is pretty good:

  Good luck!!

  ]]>HomeThe Rocketry Show Podcast99: Season 7 Premiere! – Cris Erving of Eggtimer Rocketry 99: Season 7 Premiere! – Cris Erving of Eggtimer Rocketry The Eggtimer Quantum

  We are pleased to have Cris Erving, founder of Eggtimer Rocketry  with us on this episode!

  We discus the Eggtimer products, and also give lots of tips and tricks to help you figure out how to solder one together!

  Some pointers:

  1. ) If you’re a beginner, use a 20 watt soldering pencil for best results.  This one from Weller is a nice one:
  
  Weller soldering pencil

  Fancy temperature controlled irons are nice, but not if you are a soldering newbie!  the wrong temperature settings will either not work well, or can destroy the electronic components you are trying to solder.

  2.) Practice soldering things together first.  Cris says go ahead, and use the eggtimer kit for practice.  If that thought makes you nervous, then get one of these surface mount soldering practice kits.

  Surface Mount solder training kit.

  IMPORTANT:  We’d suggest reading your excellent Eggtimer Rocketry kit manual all the way through to get a feel for what you are practicing for!!

  3.) To ensure success, use as little solder as possible!  The bigger the blob, the more likely it will flow to another pin, and short out your connections!

  4.) Do not overheat.  Some parts can be damaged by having the soldering tip touching them for longer than 30 seconds.  In fact, this is a nice simple video that is pretty good:

  Good luck!!

  ]]>2ee748b8-183a-4e45-8a37-5888ea99be78Sat, 28 Nov 2020 20:47:12 -050001:34:01falsefull799997NAR Level 2 certification changes / Listener Questions and more!Welcome to episode 98 (TRS-6.98) of the rocketry show!

  John Thompson joins us to talk about the NAR Level 2 certification changes that are in effect as of November 2020

  The NAR and the Board of Trustees have been working diligently to support the update of the NAR level 2 testing.  It has not been updated since 2012 and quite a lot has changed for the better in the ever-expanding hobby. - The new 2020 Level 2 Written Exam Study Guide will be available for download from the High-Power Rocketry page on the NAR website starting October 1, 2020. - The 2020 Level 2 Written Exam Packets for Sections and Certification Teams will be available starting October 15, 2020. Information on obtaining the new packets will be made available before that date. - The new 2020 Level 2 Written Exam use will start on November 1, 2020. - Due to the new exam format, a new HPR Certification Application will also be available for download from the High-Power Rocketry page on the NAR website. The new application will also be included with the new exam packets. - The 2012 & 2017 versions of the Level 2 Written Exam will be valid/accepted if taken on or before October 31, 2020. After that, only the 2020 version will be valid/accepted. - A member failing the HPR Level 2 exam may now retake another version immediately. If the member fails a second exam, the member must wait a minimum of seven (7) days to attempt the exam again. - The Level 2 written exam administrator/proctor must now be minimum Level 1 certified.

  Who can give certifications?

  1. The certification team consists of two individuals who are a minimum of 18 years old and are members in good standing of the NAR. The certification team members must be unrelated to the applicant. Members of Tripoli, unless they are also members of the NAR, cannot participate on a certification team. 2. At least one of the team members must be already certified to a level equal to the certification level being attempted, e.g., a team member must be certified at Level 1 to judge another individual’s Level 1 certification attempt. 3. Level 1 certifications may be administered by a single NAR Level 2 certified individual; the two certified individuals requirement is waived in this case. 4. Certification attempts must be witnessed in person by the certification team. Video recordings of a certification flight are not acceptable.

  We also take a couple Listener Questions - What should I do to prepare for a Level 1 certification attempt? - What attributes should a field or piece of property have for rocketry considerations? CG Fills us in on the results of his DEMO-3 flight

  Gheem finds a neat product that helped him with his rattle can paint project

  The rocketry Show celebrates 6 years of service

  Some hints on the upcoming Episode #100

  ]]>Welcome to episode 98 (TRS-6.98) of the rocketry show!

  John Thompson joins us to talk about the NAR Level 2 certification changes that are in effect as of November 2020

  The NAR and the Board of Trustees have been working diligently to support the update of the NAR level 2 testing.  It has not been updated since 2012 and quite a lot has changed for the better in the ever-expanding hobby. - The new 2020 Level 2 Written Exam Study Guide will be available for download from the High-Power Rocketry page on the NAR website starting October 1, 2020. - The 2020 Level 2 Written Exam Packets for Sections and Certification Teams will be available starting October 15, 2020. Information on obtaining the new packets will be made available before that date. - The new 2020 Level 2 Written Exam use will start on November 1, 2020. - Due to the new exam format, a new HPR Certification Application will also be available for download from the High-Power Rocketry page on the NAR website. The new application will also be included with the new exam packets. - The 2012 & 2017 versions of the Level 2 Written Exam will be valid/accepted if taken on or before October 31, 2020. After that, only the 2020 version will be valid/accepted. - A member failing the HPR Level 2 exam may now retake another version immediately. If the member fails a second exam, the member must wait a minimum of seven (7) days to attempt the exam again. - The Level 2 written exam administrator/proctor must now be minimum Level 1 certified.

  Who can give certifications?

  1. The certification team consists of two individuals who are a minimum of 18 years old and are members in good standing of the NAR. The certification team members must be unrelated to the applicant. Members of Tripoli, unless they are also members of the NAR, cannot participate on a certification team. 2. At least one of the team members must be already certified to a level equal to the certification level being attempted, e.g., a team member must be certified at Level 1 to judge another individual’s Level 1 certification attempt. 3. Level 1 certifications may be administered by a single NAR Level 2 certified individual; the two certified individuals requirement is waived in this case. 4. Certification attempts must be witnessed in person by the certification team. Video recordings of a certification flight are not acceptable.

  We also take a couple Listener Questions - What should I do to prepare for a Level 1 certification attempt? - What attributes should a field or piece of property have for rocketry considerations? CG Fills us in on the results of his DEMO-3 flight

  Gheem finds a neat product that helped him with his rattle can paint project

  The rocketry Show celebrates 6 years of service

  Some hints on the upcoming Episode #100

  ]]>6d4a371b-5f57-4db3-b45d-639baeda032cMon, 26 Oct 2020 17:36:47 -050001:52:34falsefull698986Workshop Episode: CG's ongoing electronics tests, Jesse's Level 3 projectIn this episode, CG talks about how his electronics developments have come along  Specifically, what he learned from the first test flight of Mr. Bean (DEMO-1 mission), and the successful

  second launch of Mr. Bean (DEMO-2), where his code & flight computer successfully controlled a flight event!  His journey to his Level 2 certification is under way!  Read the details here.

   CD and Gheem @ “Mission Control”

  Jesse’s Level 3 project starts to take shape! 

  He gives us some details, though he’s a bit secretive on the details right now!

   Another view of Jesse’s L3 Rocket  Jesse’s tube glassing work on his L3 rocket project

  Liked it? Take a second to support The Rocketry Show.Com on Patreon!   ]]>In this episode, CG talks about how his electronics developments have come along  Specifically, what he learned from the first test flight of Mr. Bean (DEMO-1 mission), and the successful

  second launch of Mr. Bean (DEMO-2), where his code & flight computer successfully controlled a flight event!  His journey to his Level 2 certification is under way!  Read the details here.

   CD and Gheem @ “Mission Control”

  Jesse’s Level 3 project starts to take shape! 

  He gives us some details, though he’s a bit secretive on the details right now!

   Another view of Jesse’s L3 Rocket  Jesse’s tube glassing work on his L3 rocket project

  Liked it? Take a second to support The Rocketry Show.Com on Patreon!   ]]>f1130f2d-7f33-4133-a805-d7fee7a5822aSat, 26 Sep 2020 03:03:20 -050001:29:30falsefull697976University of Akron's "Akronauts" rocket teamWelcome to episode 6.96!

  We are joined by the University of Akron's "Akronauts" rocketry team!

  We were joined by the following team members:

  Team President - Emily Armbrust Chief Engineer - Blake Bowser Former Team President - Mattew Stanko Treasurer - Olivia Renkel Former Chief Engineer - Mattew Reppa Project Manager - Jon Davis

  The team formed in 2014, and have been involved in a number of national STEM focused rocket competitions, including NASA Student Launch(USLI), and Spaceport America Cup

  They give a fun and detailed overview of what their team is all about, and a couple of their recent competition projects.

  You can visit their website for more information at https://akronauts.org/

  Here is a listing of the Overall Winners and Awards in the 2020 NASA Student Launch competition:

  Overall Winner: Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 2nd Place: University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina 3rd Place: University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, Alabama 4th Place: University of Akron, Akron, Ohio 5th Place: North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 6th Place: University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana 7th Place: Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama 8th Place: Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 9th Place: Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 10th Place: University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio

   

  ]]>Welcome to episode 6.96!

  We are joined by the University of Akron's "Akronauts" rocketry team!

  We were joined by the following team members:

  Team President - Emily Armbrust Chief Engineer - Blake Bowser Former Team President - Mattew Stanko Treasurer - Olivia Renkel Former Chief Engineer - Mattew Reppa Project Manager - Jon Davis

  The team formed in 2014, and have been involved in a number of national STEM focused rocket competitions, including NASA Student Launch(USLI), and Spaceport America Cup

  They give a fun and detailed overview of what their team is all about, and a couple of their recent competition projects.

  You can visit their website for more information at https://akronauts.org/

  Here is a listing of the Overall Winners and Awards in the 2020 NASA Student Launch competition:

  Overall Winner: Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 2nd Place: University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina 3rd Place: University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, Alabama 4th Place: University of Akron, Akron, Ohio 5th Place: North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 6th Place: University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana 7th Place: Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama 8th Place: Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon 9th Place: Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 10th Place: University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio

   

  ]]>bd843272-1a72-483d-abb3-c553dec137a5Sat, 12 Sep 2020 14:55:09 -050001:29:32falsefull696966Gary Rosenfield and Aerotech's High Power projectsWelcome to Episode 6.95!

  Gary Rosenfield joins us to talk about new high power rocket offerings from Aerotech, and to talk to us about high power rocketry as well.

  He talks about Hamster Dance competition that he has been into lately, and if you're looking for more information on that event, you can look here: http://www.rimworld.com/tripoligerlach/hamsterdance/about.html

  And at their new Facebook Group called Hamster Dance Flyers here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/690838108136308

  After the interview, Jesse and CG talk about their projects. CG gives more information he has found in his post-test flight of his rocket electronics system, and talks about a spinoff project!

  Jesse has evolved his tube glassing techniques, and talks about them, and much more!

  ]]>Welcome to Episode 6.95!

  Gary Rosenfield joins us to talk about new high power rocket offerings from Aerotech, and to talk to us about high power rocketry as well.

  He talks about Hamster Dance competition that he has been into lately, and if you're looking for more information on that event, you can look here: http://www.rimworld.com/tripoligerlach/hamsterdance/about.html

  And at their new Facebook Group called Hamster Dance Flyers here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/690838108136308

  After the interview, Jesse and CG talk about their projects. CG gives more information he has found in his post-test flight of his rocket electronics system, and talks about a spinoff project!

  Jesse has evolved his tube glassing techniques, and talks about them, and much more!

  ]]>42070a08-bf6a-4c1a-908e-24ea5cf32ae6Mon, 24 Aug 2020 22:24:17 -050001:30:03falsefull695956July 2020 Workshop EpisodeWelcome to episode 94 of The Rocketry Show

  We’ve been on a roll with great guest interviews lately. The team take a quick break from that this episode to focus more on the results of a few rocketry projects they’ve been working on!

  Jesse has been ‘fiberglassing’ a new kit, and building more rockets, but more importantly, recently launched his LOC Precision “Big Nuke”. He tells us all about those, and more!

   

  Jesse’s Big Nuke launch

  Gheem has been building a beautiful X-15 kit, and he catches us up on where he is on that, as well as a few more projects.

  Gheem's X-15 rocket kit!

  On July 25, 2020, CG finally got to test his Radio Telemetry system. 

   

  Launch of CG’s Mr. Bean rocket carrying his radio telemetry system.

  Because of all of the “Covid 19 delays, this test ended up being a “full up” test, which means about 5 tests (each would normally have been their own launch)  all happening on one launch.

  He’ll share how that went!

  We also pull some of your emails from the Mailbag that we didn’t have time to get to on earlier episodes!

              ]]>Welcome to episode 94 of The Rocketry Show

  We’ve been on a roll with great guest interviews lately. The team take a quick break from that this episode to focus more on the results of a few rocketry projects they’ve been working on!

  Jesse has been ‘fiberglassing’ a new kit, and building more rockets, but more importantly, recently launched his LOC Precision “Big Nuke”. He tells us all about those, and more!

   

  Jesse’s Big Nuke launch

  Gheem has been building a beautiful X-15 kit, and he catches us up on where he is on that, as well as a few more projects.

  Gheem's X-15 rocket kit!

  On July 25, 2020, CG finally got to test his Radio Telemetry system. 

   

  Launch of CG’s Mr. Bean rocket carrying his radio telemetry system.

  Because of all of the “Covid 19 delays, this test ended up being a “full up” test, which means about 5 tests (each would normally have been their own launch)  all happening on one launch.

  He’ll share how that went!

  We also pull some of your emails from the Mailbag that we didn’t have time to get to on earlier episodes!

              ]]>3a4d7e74-0aab-4fb4-bc0c-13efd7d2e764Sat, 01 Aug 2020 03:00:00 -050001:28:10falsefull694946#93: Matt Steele on Rocket Staging (Part 1)Matt Steele joins the show to kick start the first of at least a couple episodes on staging techniques for Model Rockets.

  Mr. Steele is a longtime rocketeer, owner of North Coast Rocketry, and is a Professional Rocket Scientist!

  We first define ground rules you can follow to ensure the best probability for success. Rules adapted from professional Rocket Engineering Sciences. We think this will help hobby rocketeers a lot. The methods Matt Steele discusses can be applied any new rocketry project or technique.

  After laying the ground rules, we jump into the first part of this episode on multi-stage rocketry.

  Part two will appear in a few weeks after we have a chance to gather your e-mail questions on the subject.

  Later in the show, we share our first peak into new beta firmware being tested for the Flight Sketch altimeter.

  Thanks to listener Phil Parslow for suggesting the topic of multiple rocket stage launches!!

   

  ]]>Matt Steele joins the show to kick start the first of at least a couple episodes on staging techniques for Model Rockets.

  Mr. Steele is a longtime rocketeer, owner of North Coast Rocketry, and is a Professional Rocket Scientist!

  We first define ground rules you can follow to ensure the best probability for success. Rules adapted from professional Rocket Engineering Sciences. We think this will help hobby rocketeers a lot. The methods Matt Steele discusses can be applied any new rocketry project or technique.

  After laying the ground rules, we jump into the first part of this episode on multi-stage rocketry.

  Part two will appear in a few weeks after we have a chance to gather your e-mail questions on the subject.

  Later in the show, we share our first peak into new beta firmware being tested for the Flight Sketch altimeter.

  Thanks to listener Phil Parslow for suggesting the topic of multiple rocket stage launches!!

   

  ]]>b5a7874c-69ea-4fa4-b5f4-00ddfa9fe94dThu, 16 Jul 2020 13:20:53 -050001:19:11falsefull693936#92: Scott Binder of SBR Fusion RocketScott Binder joins us to to talk about things at FusionRocket.Biz, and -more importantly- hangs with The Rocketry Show team to talk model rocket stories, and fun memories.

  🙂

  Later, CG, Gheem, and Jesse talk shop on the projects they are working on!

  Enjoy!

  ]]>Scott Binder joins us to to talk about things at FusionRocket.Biz, and -more importantly- hangs with The Rocketry Show team to talk model rocket stories, and fun memories.

  🙂

  Later, CG, Gheem, and Jesse talk shop on the projects they are working on!

  Enjoy!

  ]]>d9570852-4b3e-4727-a779-45113cadb5a9Tue, 30 Jun 2020 03:02:14 -050001:19:06falsefull692926#91: Dave Barber and Jason Turicik of LOC PrecisionWelcome to Episode 91!

  Dave Barber and Jason Turicik  join us to talk rockets, and about the latest going on at LOC Precision, a sponsor of the show!

  Also, CG talks about the latest with his telemetry project as the first test launch nears!

  ]]>Welcome to Episode 91!

  Dave Barber and Jason Turicik  join us to talk rockets, and about the latest going on at LOC Precision, a sponsor of the show!

  Also, CG talks about the latest with his telemetry project as the first test launch nears!

  ]]>d68468ab-4ea5-49c6-a516-8c154323ec21Mon, 15 Jun 2020 00:44:33 -050001:19:08falsefull691916#90B: Ken Biba and ARLISSPushing the boundaries for student STEM programs, ARLISS is a unique rocketry program where members of the Level 3 High Power Rocket community team up with scientists worldwide along with several student organizations to allow them to design "soda can sized" payloads to launch to near space.  These payloads are typically small electronic instrumentation packages designed to carry out whatever scientific experiments the students wish to perform!

  Ken Biba has been involved with the group for many years, and he joins us to discus ARLISS activities and more!

  ]]>Pushing the boundaries for student STEM programs, ARLISS is a unique rocketry program where members of the Level 3 High Power Rocket community team up with scientists worldwide along with several student organizations to allow them to design "soda can sized" payloads to launch to near space.  These payloads are typically small electronic instrumentation packages designed to carry out whatever scientific experiments the students wish to perform!

  Ken Biba has been involved with the group for many years, and he joins us to discus ARLISS activities and more!

  ]]>177c4bf2-3de7-42d6-a77f-630425032aeeMon, 25 May 2020 15:41:29 -050001:06:36falsefull690906# 89: Listener feedback, High power rocket safety, and Rocksim 10In this episode: CG and Tripoli Northern Ohio http://northernohiotra.com Prefect Chris Pearson discus high power rocketry safety tips to use during prepartion phases before launch. This advice encompasses all of the recent Tripoli recommendations as well.

  We get some interesting thoughts & design modifications from a listener on CG's centrifuge tube ejection charges.

  CG and Gheem take their first peak at Rocksim 10! https://www.apogeerockets.com/RockSim/RockSim9_Features

  ]]>In this episode: CG and Tripoli Northern Ohio http://northernohiotra.com Prefect Chris Pearson discus high power rocketry safety tips to use during prepartion phases before launch. This advice encompasses all of the recent Tripoli recommendations as well.

  We get some interesting thoughts & design modifications from a listener on CG's centrifuge tube ejection charges.

  CG and Gheem take their first peak at Rocksim 10! https://www.apogeerockets.com/RockSim/RockSim9_Features

  ]]>1677b13d-ea14-46c6-9c16-6b947d961933Mon, 27 Apr 2020 18:19:37 -050001:07:49falsefull689896#88: Avionics bays, and things related to them!As you move into high power rocketry, one of the first things you will deal with will relate to dual deployment & the electronics around it.

  We talk about it, and pass along some general advice along with our personal experiences.

  Also in this episode:

  • The crew discus the Tripoli clarifications around remote electronic switches.
  • CG discusses the state of his flight computer / telemetry project
  • Gheem finds a very interesting avionics system that has him totally geeked.
  • The team discus their favorite (hard wired) power (arming) switches for their flight electronics.
  • Jesse discusses his AV bay construction techniques.
  
  

  Links for this episode:

  Jesse talks about this video as a great primer on building avionics bays

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIzJiT4R9tc&feature=youtu.be

   

  ]]>As you move into high power rocketry, one of the first things you will deal with will relate to dual deployment & the electronics around it.

  We talk about it, and pass along some general advice along with our personal experiences.

  Also in this episode:

  • The crew discus the Tripoli clarifications around remote electronic switches.
  • CG discusses the state of his flight computer / telemetry project
  • Gheem finds a very interesting avionics system that has him totally geeked.
  • The team discus their favorite (hard wired) power (arming) switches for their flight electronics.
  • Jesse discusses his AV bay construction techniques.
  
  

  Links for this episode:

  Jesse talks about this video as a great primer on building avionics bays

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIzJiT4R9tc&feature=youtu.be

   

  ]]>58f036c3-73b6-4e96-b9e0-fc7097021d3dWed, 08 Apr 2020 01:02:41 -050001:27:41falsefull688886Bonus: The Model Rocket Show premiereWe unveil our new show, The Model Rocket Show. A show that focuses exclusively on Model Rocketry - Specifically, rockets that fly on G impulse motors and smaller. The show is hosted by Daniel, The Rocket N00b.
  ]]>We unveil our new show, The Model Rocket Show. A show that focuses exclusively on Model Rocketry - Specifically, rockets that fly on G impulse motors and smaller. The show is hosted by Daniel, The Rocket N00b.
  ]]>2c113067-1f40-424d-9ba3-d0d895be3682Sat, 28 Mar 2020 14:04:00 -050034:11falsebonus6116#87: Steven Skinner of Mach1Rocketry.Com

  In this episode, CG and Daniel, the rocket N00b make a major announcement.

  Steven Skinner of Mach1Rocketry.Com stops by with some announcements of his own, and talks rocket shop with the team!

  ]]>

  In this episode, CG and Daniel, the rocket N00b make a major announcement.

  Steven Skinner of Mach1Rocketry.Com stops by with some announcements of his own, and talks rocket shop with the team!

  ]]>1f168272-6655-4e94-b1a6-ee3848674ff8Sun, 22 Mar 2020 01:32:05 -050001:23:07falsefull687876#86 Fiberglassing your rockets!In this episode, CG catches everyone up on his projects, introduces or Amazon store where you can easily buy Rocketry Show Tee-Shirts.

  We then move to the main topic, and that is all about techniques to fiberglass coat your cardboard airframes to add strength, and provide a wonderful surface to apply your paint & designs.

  ]]>In this episode, CG catches everyone up on his projects, introduces or Amazon store where you can easily buy Rocketry Show Tee-Shirts.

  We then move to the main topic, and that is all about techniques to fiberglass coat your cardboard airframes to add strength, and provide a wonderful surface to apply your paint & designs.

  ]]>40f9e4b6-6b71-42c8-91c1-f53e6dbf1422Thu, 27 Feb 2020 20:44:48 -050001:07:50falsefull686866#85 3-D Printing for Rocketry

  In this episode, we'll be talking 3D Printing for Rocketry with our special guest, Jeff Kodyz.

  Also in this episode,  CG talks about his health scare that took place between the last episode and this one, and the n00b reviews some listener feedback.

  ]]>

  In this episode, we'll be talking 3D Printing for Rocketry with our special guest, Jeff Kodyz.

  Also in this episode,  CG talks about his health scare that took place between the last episode and this one, and the n00b reviews some listener feedback.

  ]]>de40bce9-cb60-4dcf-b84e-4a4f80a8e0dbTue, 21 Jan 2020 00:36:52 -050001:22:18falsefull685856#84 2019 Holiday / end of the year showIt's our End of the year / holiday wrap up show, and we chose this one to share and respond to some of the e-mails from you, including an interesting theory behind the collapsed "stuffer tube" phenomenon CG mentioned in the previous episode!

  We also dig into a fun rabbit-hole discussion over a couple of our camera pics for rocket photography, being proud of your rule stickler "old timers" in your local club and more!

  ]]>It's our End of the year / holiday wrap up show, and we chose this one to share and respond to some of the e-mails from you, including an interesting theory behind the collapsed "stuffer tube" phenomenon CG mentioned in the previous episode!

  We also dig into a fun rabbit-hole discussion over a couple of our camera pics for rocket photography, being proud of your rule stickler "old timers" in your local club and more!

  ]]>d7e6db3f-462e-4ddf-83da-5463191661ccSun, 22 Dec 2019 02:04:26 -050001:02:58falsefull684846Episode 83 quick messageBe sure to follow the links to our YouTube channel in the show notes to see the supplemental video for Episode 83!
  ]]>Be sure to follow the links to our YouTube channel in the show notes to see the supplemental video for Episode 83!
  ]]>2d336567-432f-4642-bcb9-f57c50d984b7Sat, 30 Nov 2019 21:51:44 -050000:55falsebonus683836#83 Workshop talk / Listener Q&AThis is a workshop episode, and CG, Gheem, n00b, and Jesse Ulibarri have lots to chat about!

  Gheem talks about a nice gift his TARC team received at a Tripoli Mid-Ohio launch.

  CG answers a listener question about ejection baffles, and Daniel the rocket n00b talks about his launchtime "oops", and reminds us all about range safety practices.

  CG has provided lots of supplemental links, pictures, and videos to accompany his ejection charge baffle discussion.

  https://youtu.be/ikt8zhO4jaE

  ]]>This is a workshop episode, and CG, Gheem, n00b, and Jesse Ulibarri have lots to chat about!

  Gheem talks about a nice gift his TARC team received at a Tripoli Mid-Ohio launch.

  CG answers a listener question about ejection baffles, and Daniel the rocket n00b talks about his launchtime "oops", and reminds us all about range safety practices.

  CG has provided lots of supplemental links, pictures, and videos to accompany his ejection charge baffle discussion.

  https://youtu.be/ikt8zhO4jaE

  ]]>f921e199-7194-4eed-8f87-ef372077111dSat, 30 Nov 2019 20:14:10 -050001:22:33falsefull683836#82 Jr. Level 1 cert. changes, Bianca Vasquez of swise.org, and NAROBLOMO.Episode 82 starts off with a discussion with Randy Boadway of eRockets about the changes to the Jr Level 1 certification process.

  More info here:

  https://www.nar.org/high-power-rocketry-info/formal-participation-procedure/

  Next, talk to the founder of Society of Women in Space Exploriation, Bianca Vasquez.

  Ms. Vasquez is in the early stages of becoming an Engineering student, has a passion for space exploration and a new found love or rockets. Her orginzation has bonded similar minded women also getting their start in various aspects of Engineering.

  She talks about what she has learned in her journey, and what she has learned from others! https://www.swise.org/

  Later in the show, we talk to Daniel the rocket n00b about getting his model rocketry blog re-ignited agin with the power of NAROBLOMO. https://rocketn00b.blogspot.com/

  ]]>Episode 82 starts off with a discussion with Randy Boadway of eRockets about the changes to the Jr Level 1 certification process.

  More info here:

  https://www.nar.org/high-power-rocketry-info/formal-participation-procedure/

  Next, talk to the founder of Society of Women in Space Exploriation, Bianca Vasquez.

  Ms. Vasquez is in the early stages of becoming an Engineering student, has a passion for space exploration and a new found love or rockets. Her orginzation has bonded similar minded women also getting their start in various aspects of Engineering.

  She talks about what she has learned in her journey, and what she has learned from others! https://www.swise.org/

  Later in the show, we talk to Daniel the rocket n00b about getting his model rocketry blog re-ignited agin with the power of NAROBLOMO. https://rocketn00b.blogspot.com/

  ]]>4bc117891e72426fb57c9f73b6e4d9d2Mon, 11 Nov 2019 02:46:27 -050001:01:18falsefull682826#81 Season 6 premiere, and workshop talk with our newest member of the show!Welcome to Season 6 of The rocketry Show!

  We are kicking off the 5th anniversary of our program, with the newest member of the show, Jesse Ulibarri as we dive into "Workshop Talk"!

  On this episode, the gang discus their Fin can build techniques for High Power, their experiences with Motor retainers, n00b has a new rocket room! 

  Also, CG and Gheem's rocket club gains access to a nice new field.

  ]]>Welcome to Season 6 of The rocketry Show!

  We are kicking off the 5th anniversary of our program, with the newest member of the show, Jesse Ulibarri as we dive into "Workshop Talk"!

  On this episode, the gang discus their Fin can build techniques for High Power, their experiences with Motor retainers, n00b has a new rocket room! 

  Also, CG and Gheem's rocket club gains access to a nice new field.

  ]]>cb24ac53f8b44ada9e72e3018cc02526Sun, 20 Oct 2019 16:18:45 -050001:00:52falsefull681816#80 NY Power 2019Welcome to Episode 80 of The Rocketry Show!

  In this episode, CG and Daniel travel to upstate New York for NY Power 2019.

  We catch up with Dan Michael and Neil Brown, and we discus their backgrounds, and the launches of their Big ...ahem... Friggin Rockets.

  Here are some picture highlights....all photos are by C.Gould of The Rocketry Show.

  Patrons can view them on our website: https://www.therocketryshow.com

  Dan Michael with a motor casing for an "M" Impulse motor build.

  Dan Michael and his Nike Smoke

  Dan Michaels' Nike Smoke liftoff!

  Neil Brown and the booster section for his Polecat Saturn V

  Daniel the rocket n00b and his SA-14 Archer build.

  CG's Ares rocket lifting off after "MacGyver" repairs...

  Neil Brown's Polecat Saturn V, and it's wild launch (picture sequence below.

  Liftoff!

  ]]>Welcome to Episode 80 of The Rocketry Show!

  In this episode, CG and Daniel travel to upstate New York for NY Power 2019.

  We catch up with Dan Michael and Neil Brown, and we discus their backgrounds, and the launches of their Big ...ahem... Friggin Rockets.

  Here are some picture highlights....all photos are by C.Gould of The Rocketry Show.

  Patrons can view them on our website: https://www.therocketryshow.com

  Dan Michael with a motor casing for an "M" Impulse motor build.

  Dan Michael and his Nike Smoke

  Dan Michaels' Nike Smoke liftoff!

  Neil Brown and the booster section for his Polecat Saturn V

  Daniel the rocket n00b and his SA-14 Archer build.

  CG's Ares rocket lifting off after "MacGyver" repairs...

  Neil Brown's Polecat Saturn V, and it's wild launch (picture sequence below.

  Liftoff!

  ]]>183b70155c1e4519b8c7ccef2d887e6cMon, 30 Sep 2019 12:55:35 -050056:08falsefull#79: Personal "Project Apollo" analogy stories, and Airbrushing followupThe team get together to talk rocket stories and some workshop talk with you on this episode.

  We talked about some of the entries seen at our club's Apollo 11 tribute launch on July 20, 2019. One of which was a wonderful gold painted Saturn V by our club member, Casey Anderson.

  After that, we delved into our most challenging rocketry projects -- our personal "Project Apollo", if you will, along with a listener story. We shared listener JE Thompson's story, and audio from his video (See below)

  https://youtu.be/Nahu9h1fitc

  Gheem talks about his story, and CG recounts his story to his toughest project to date, his Level 1 certification. He went for the gusto, and not the simple tried and easy approach...because...he loved the challenge. LOL.

  Daniel the Rocket n00b joins us to talk about his first major rocket project using an Airbrush to paint it off, and shares what he learned so far.

  ]]>The team get together to talk rocket stories and some workshop talk with you on this episode.

  We talked about some of the entries seen at our club's Apollo 11 tribute launch on July 20, 2019. One of which was a wonderful gold painted Saturn V by our club member, Casey Anderson.

  After that, we delved into our most challenging rocketry projects -- our personal "Project Apollo", if you will, along with a listener story. We shared listener JE Thompson's story, and audio from his video (See below)

  https://youtu.be/Nahu9h1fitc

  Gheem talks about his story, and CG recounts his story to his toughest project to date, his Level 1 certification. He went for the gusto, and not the simple tried and easy approach...because...he loved the challenge. LOL.

  Daniel the Rocket n00b joins us to talk about his first major rocket project using an Airbrush to paint it off, and shares what he learned so far.

  ]]>10b8449baeb34a34b426da0ed4372dd6Sat, 10 Aug 2019 22:28:24 -050001:12:22falsefull579795#78 NARCON 2019 coverage Part Three.Welcome to the final installment of our NARCON 2019 coverage!

  We are joined by Wes Oleszewski who sits down to talk with us about Growing Up With Spaceflight, as well as some information on his retirement from Dr. Zooch Rockets, and some fond Dr. Zooch and model rocketry memories..

  Also, John Beans of Jolly Logic stops by !

  John joins us to talk about his presentation on "ROCKETRY 2.0". We explore some of the history behind the well known tech behind model rocketry, and how new technology can transform the hobby and take it to new levels!

   

  ]]>Welcome to the final installment of our NARCON 2019 coverage!

  We are joined by Wes Oleszewski who sits down to talk with us about Growing Up With Spaceflight, as well as some information on his retirement from Dr. Zooch Rockets, and some fond Dr. Zooch and model rocketry memories..

  Also, John Beans of Jolly Logic stops by !

  John joins us to talk about his presentation on "ROCKETRY 2.0". We explore some of the history behind the well known tech behind model rocketry, and how new technology can transform the hobby and take it to new levels!

   

  ]]>41db3e4a837f4ab09ef3201757d10589Wed, 24 Jul 2019 19:55:59 -050001:11:26falsefull578785#77 – NARCON 2019 Part TwoThis is an “all star” episode!

  We’re joined by Tim Van Milligan from Apogee Rockets discuss an interesting collaboration project with Fins & Fire that gives your rocket the ability to paraglide its way home to you! 

  Randy Boadway stops by to discus eRockets, and we end up in an interesting discussion about running a hobby rocket kit & supply company, including how the price of rocket kits are determined. He also showed up later to do a fun live eRockets commercial with us.

  Randy Boadway, Owner of eRockets

  Gary Rosenfield and Dan Bowles stop by to discus a long burn G motor that could give the right kind of rocket design the possibility of reaching 10,000 feet!

  Dane Boles and Gary Rosenfield of Aerotech Consumer Aerospace

  Roger Smith of JON Rocket stops by to talk about the joys of running the business with his wife, Bracha.

  Roger Smith of JonRocket.Com

  Wes Oleszewski joins us to discus his “Growing up with Spaceflight” books.

  Wes Oleszewski, author of the Growing up with Spaceflight series of books.

  John Beans also joins us and we talk Chute Release talk!

  John Beans, Owner of Jolly Logic

  We hope you have fun listening to Part Two of our NARCON 2019 coverage!

   

  ]]>This is an “all star” episode!

  We’re joined by Tim Van Milligan from Apogee Rockets discuss an interesting collaboration project with Fins & Fire that gives your rocket the ability to paraglide its way home to you! 

  Randy Boadway stops by to discus eRockets, and we end up in an interesting discussion about running a hobby rocket kit & supply company, including how the price of rocket kits are determined. He also showed up later to do a fun live eRockets commercial with us.

  Randy Boadway, Owner of eRockets

  Gary Rosenfield and Dan Bowles stop by to discus a long burn G motor that could give the right kind of rocket design the possibility of reaching 10,000 feet!

  Dane Boles and Gary Rosenfield of Aerotech Consumer Aerospace

  Roger Smith of JON Rocket stops by to talk about the joys of running the business with his wife, Bracha.

  Roger Smith of JonRocket.Com

  Wes Oleszewski joins us to discus his “Growing up with Spaceflight” books.

  Wes Oleszewski, author of the Growing up with Spaceflight series of books.

  John Beans also joins us and we talk Chute Release talk!

  John Beans, Owner of Jolly Logic

  We hope you have fun listening to Part Two of our NARCON 2019 coverage!

   

  ]]>321f29cbc959451aa70065c746d90f8cWed, 26 Jun 2019 16:19:11 -050001:11:09falsefull577775The Rocketry Show # 5.76: NARCON 2019 Part One 

  The entire Rocketry Show team head to Cape Canaveral, Florida to cover NARCON 2019.  

  CG, Daniel the Rocket n00b together for the first time!

  They witness a night time Falcon 9 launch, Gheem and Daniel (The n00b) meet face to face for the first time, and we talk to Peter Alway, author of Rockets of the World, and Chris Michaelson of Oddl’ Rockets.

  Peter Alway discussed with us his history with Model Rocketry, and his knack for finding detailed blueprints of even the most obscure rockets, which is great for us as he published it all in his book “Rockets of the World”, the rocketry bible for anyone interested in creating scale models of military & space rockets.

  Chris Michaelson of Oddl’ Rockets

  Chris amazed us with his talent in making detailed reproductions of rockets, and his never ending fountain of knowledge that can help all of us rocketeers!

  Chris’ attention to detail is a thing to behold!  

  Mike Nowak’s Saturn V

  We also discus Mike Nowak’s amazing THREE STAGE Saturn V scale competition rocket!

   

  Mike Nowak’s true scale, three stage flying Saturn V. His son stands guard.

  ]]> 

  The entire Rocketry Show team head to Cape Canaveral, Florida to cover NARCON 2019.  

  CG, Daniel the Rocket n00b together for the first time!

  They witness a night time Falcon 9 launch, Gheem and Daniel (The n00b) meet face to face for the first time, and we talk to Peter Alway, author of Rockets of the World, and Chris Michaelson of Oddl’ Rockets.

  Peter Alway discussed with us his history with Model Rocketry, and his knack for finding detailed blueprints of even the most obscure rockets, which is great for us as he published it all in his book “Rockets of the World”, the rocketry bible for anyone interested in creating scale models of military & space rockets.

  Chris Michaelson of Oddl’ Rockets

  Chris amazed us with his talent in making detailed reproductions of rockets, and his never ending fountain of knowledge that can help all of us rocketeers!

  Chris’ attention to detail is a thing to behold!  

  Mike Nowak’s Saturn V

  We also discus Mike Nowak’s amazing THREE STAGE Saturn V scale competition rocket!

   

  Mike Nowak’s true scale, three stage flying Saturn V. His son stands guard.

  ]]>d84955f0a59c40ca843c238d6d5d482bSun, 19 May 2019 18:11:21 -050001:20:48falsefull576765[The Rocketry Show] #5.75: Workshop discussions!CG, Gheem, and Daniel the Rocket n00b get together to visit with you, and talk rocket shop talk.

  CG has been busily editing through the TONS of audio we have from NARCON 2019, and it's taken over the production time for the show.  As a result, there is a delay in production.   We still have about two weeks of production to do before we roll out the first NARCON 2019 episode, so in the meantime, we decided to pick up our microphones and visit with you!

  One of the topics of discussion is rolling your own transitions by re-purposing old cereal boxes.  A topic of discussion brought up by listener John Simmons on our Facebook Discussion Group.   CG thought it was a cool idea, so we shared.

  Chris Michaelson has some discussions on rolling your own transitions on his blog too!   Look here:

  http://modelrocketbuilding.blogspot.com/search/label/Adapter

   

  We also had fun discussing a fun new rocketry group on Facebook called "The CATO Club"  Where they post pictures of, and discus...CATOS.  :-)

  ]]>CG, Gheem, and Daniel the Rocket n00b get together to visit with you, and talk rocket shop talk.

  CG has been busily editing through the TONS of audio we have from NARCON 2019, and it's taken over the production time for the show.  As a result, there is a delay in production.   We still have about two weeks of production to do before we roll out the first NARCON 2019 episode, so in the meantime, we decided to pick up our microphones and visit with you!

  One of the topics of discussion is rolling your own transitions by re-purposing old cereal boxes.  A topic of discussion brought up by listener John Simmons on our Facebook Discussion Group.   CG thought it was a cool idea, so we shared.

  Chris Michaelson has some discussions on rolling your own transitions on his blog too!   Look here:

  http://modelrocketbuilding.blogspot.com/search/label/Adapter

   

  We also had fun discussing a fun new rocketry group on Facebook called "The CATO Club"  Where they post pictures of, and discus...CATOS.  :-)

  ]]>b4f34f023a444cd1a392d0e732675301Sun, 21 Apr 2019 12:46:22 -050001:18:13falsefull575755The LOC Mafia: Helping a rocketeer in need!The LOC Mafia has organized to help the Hayes family of Stickershock.

  From the The Loc Mafia:

  Mark from StickerShock23 needs our help!  His wife Marian is suffering from an aggressive form of cancer, causing a huge difficulty in both of their lives. 

  Mark, still presses on to help out the rocketry community by continuing to create wonderful full print vinyl wraps and decals for our projects. 

  #theLOCmafia wants to help our fellow rocket brother and his family! Mark has been a huge contributor to the hobby for quite some time!

  We have reached out to many vendors, some of whom we know personally, to help out with doing an Online Raffle for Mark and Marian!

  On this page, you can read into some of the Grand Prize packages that we have arranged!

  Details are here: thelocmafia.com

  ]]>The LOC Mafia has organized to help the Hayes family of Stickershock.

  From the The Loc Mafia:

  Mark from StickerShock23 needs our help!  His wife Marian is suffering from an aggressive form of cancer, causing a huge difficulty in both of their lives. 

  Mark, still presses on to help out the rocketry community by continuing to create wonderful full print vinyl wraps and decals for our projects. 

  #theLOCmafia wants to help our fellow rocket brother and his family! Mark has been a huge contributor to the hobby for quite some time!

  We have reached out to many vendors, some of whom we know personally, to help out with doing an Online Raffle for Mark and Marian!

  On this page, you can read into some of the Grand Prize packages that we have arranged!

  Details are here: thelocmafia.com

  ]]>5d58a43e265645598448f2fed7c3b2b3Thu, 04 Apr 2019 21:04:26 -050005:25falsebonus5225Ken Patterson on Realistic Looking Modeling and Air Brushes! (Pt. Two)Here is Part two of our Airbrushes 101 episode with Ken Patterson!

  Ken is an award winning modeler of military aircraft of all kinds, and shares techniques that he has honed and perfected continuously since his childhood, and he helps The Rocket n00b cross the hump into air brushing his models for the first time!

  ]]>Here is Part two of our Airbrushes 101 episode with Ken Patterson!

  Ken is an award winning modeler of military aircraft of all kinds, and shares techniques that he has honed and perfected continuously since his childhood, and he helps The Rocket n00b cross the hump into air brushing his models for the first time!

  ]]>8804199a5d1548b6af7c43e7bbea8bb2Mon, 11 Feb 2019 01:46:10 -050001:32:49falsefull573735Ellis Langford and Bill Stine of Estes IndustriesEllis Langford and Bill Stine of Estes Industries join us to talk about the current state of Estes Industries, and look to the future by discussing a few of their plans for the company.

  Image: Ellis Langford of Estes Industries.  (Photo: The Rocketry Show)

  We had an enjoyable conversation that we think you all will like.

  ]]>Ellis Langford and Bill Stine of Estes Industries join us to talk about the current state of Estes Industries, and look to the future by discussing a few of their plans for the company.

  Image: Ellis Langford of Estes Industries.  (Photo: The Rocketry Show)

  We had an enjoyable conversation that we think you all will like.

  ]]>5a7fd25d48604ba98b607ab7c3f1177cThu, 07 Feb 2019 05:30:00 -050001:31:05falsefull574745Ken Patterson on Realistic Looking Modeling and Air Brushes! (Pt. One)

  Ken Patterson, a friend of CG joins us in studio to talk about airbrushes, primarily, but the discussion quickly blooms into topics we can all use…especially those of us looking to make our rockets look realistic. These topics apply especially to scale model rocketeers.

  Ken is an award winning modeler of military aircraft of all kinds, and shares techniques that he has honed and perfected continuously since his childhood, and he helps The Rocket n00b cross the hump into air brushing his models for the first time!

  Visit https://www.therocketryshow.com for more details and pictures!

   

  ]]>

  Ken Patterson, a friend of CG joins us in studio to talk about airbrushes, primarily, but the discussion quickly blooms into topics we can all use…especially those of us looking to make our rockets look realistic. These topics apply especially to scale model rocketeers.

  Ken is an award winning modeler of military aircraft of all kinds, and shares techniques that he has honed and perfected continuously since his childhood, and he helps The Rocket n00b cross the hump into air brushing his models for the first time!

  Visit https://www.therocketryshow.com for more details and pictures!

   

  ]]>3e40d69f6c034bb2886ff078e361725bFri, 25 Jan 2019 11:32:32 -050001:14:13falsefull572725Steve Thatcher of SMTDesigns.ComWe are joined by Steve Thatcher of SMT Designs.  Steve offers a great group of time saving products for rocketeers, and his electronics sleds, which offers quite a bit of configuration flexibility!

  Enjoy!

  Some background on Steve Thatcher:

   SMT Designs is a small company that I started to offer rocketry, electronics, photography, and software products. The name is simply my initials and what I do best.  I have many years of experience in a variety of fields.  I am an electronics engineer that can design hardware and write software for embedded platforms.  From concept, to prototype creation, to machining parts for whatever is being designed.

  I am also a photographer and have reached a point where I am sharing my view of the world through pictures.  This transition into products was sparked by the passing of a dear friend Pat Stinnett in 2015.  She saw the world and shared her heart through the photos that she produced.  I will try and do the same in her memory. 

  ]]>We are joined by Steve Thatcher of SMT Designs.  Steve offers a great group of time saving products for rocketeers, and his electronics sleds, which offers quite a bit of configuration flexibility!

  Enjoy!

  Some background on Steve Thatcher:

   SMT Designs is a small company that I started to offer rocketry, electronics, photography, and software products. The name is simply my initials and what I do best.  I have many years of experience in a variety of fields.  I am an electronics engineer that can design hardware and write software for embedded platforms.  From concept, to prototype creation, to machining parts for whatever is being designed.

  I am also a photographer and have reached a point where I am sharing my view of the world through pictures.  This transition into products was sparked by the passing of a dear friend Pat Stinnett in 2015.  She saw the world and shared her heart through the photos that she produced.  I will try and do the same in her memory. 

  ]]>98939ce1ec4044ea966e9c83a8fd227aTue, 11 Dec 2018 12:51:26 -050001:04:10falsefull571715Show your support! www.patreon.com/therocketryshow

  This is a special episode made for #ThankYouPatrons day, where all of us using Patreon thank YOU, our supporters.  I this special episode, we talk about what your support has meant for our show!

  Hint: A LOT!

  ]]>

  This is a special episode made for #ThankYouPatrons day, where all of us using Patreon thank YOU, our supporters.  I this special episode, we talk about what your support has meant for our show!

  Hint: A LOT!

  ]]>0ca7e440ae3a4071bfc557d4cbdd6179Mon, 19 Nov 2018 09:30:00 -050022:34falsefullSeason 5 debut!Welcome to season 5 of the rocketry show!

  Joe Barnard’s Halloween Costume…

  Joe’s costume is based on the notorious Elon Musk smoking marijuana during a podcast incident…

  The crew of the rocketry show gather to talk a little about what is going on, and catch up on their rocketry projects.

  Also:

  A Doughnut shaped Earth?

  Daniel visits the Little Dipper Cafe in the Jamaica Plane neighborhood in Boston.

  The Little Dipper JP: Great food and model rockets!

  CG gives a quick report on his visit to Alabama for Bama Blastoff.

  And he also gets his first peak at a Mach1 kit in action.  Casey Anderson of MTMA rocket club flew one of the BT20 fiberglass kits!

  Casey Anderson and his Mach1 rocket kit.

  Mach1 Unchained Lightning rocket on liftoff…

  ]]>Welcome to season 5 of the rocketry show!

  Joe Barnard’s Halloween Costume…

  Joe’s costume is based on the notorious Elon Musk smoking marijuana during a podcast incident…

  The crew of the rocketry show gather to talk a little about what is going on, and catch up on their rocketry projects.

  Also:

  A Doughnut shaped Earth?

  Daniel visits the Little Dipper Cafe in the Jamaica Plane neighborhood in Boston.

  The Little Dipper JP: Great food and model rockets!

  CG gives a quick report on his visit to Alabama for Bama Blastoff.

  And he also gets his first peak at a Mach1 kit in action.  Casey Anderson of MTMA rocket club flew one of the BT20 fiberglass kits!

  Casey Anderson and his Mach1 rocket kit.

  Mach1 Unchained Lightning rocket on liftoff…

  ]]>733949cbc99b4468a7dfe347199e69ebSun, 18 Nov 2018 05:02:23 -050001:15:14falsefull570705Astronaut, Colonel Rick SearfossWe are happy to re-cast a wonderful conversation we had with former NASA Astronaut, Col. Rick Searfoss back in 2016.  He joined us to talk about rockets, The Space Shuttle, and being an astronaut!

  Col. Rick Searfoss[/caption]

  From his NASA Bio:

  PERSONAL DATA: Born June 5, 1956, in Mount Clemens, Michigan, but considers Portsmouth, New Hampshire, to be his hometown. Married; three children. He enjoys running, soccer, radio-controlled model aircraft, Scouting, backpacking, and classical music.

  EDUCATION: Graduated from Portsmouth Senior High School, Portsmouth, New Hampshire in 1974; received a bachelor of science degree in aeronautical engineering from the USAF Academy in 1978, and a master of science degree in aeronautics from the California Institute of Technology on a National Science Foundation Fellowship in 1979. USAF Squadron Officer School, Air Command and Staff College, and Air War College.

  ORGANIZATIONS: Association of Space Explorers, National Eagle Scout Association, Air Force Association, Academy of Model Aeronautics.

  SPECIAL HONORS: Awarded the Harmon, Fairchild, Price and Tober Awards (top overall, academic, engineering, and aeronautical engineering graduate), United States Air Force Academy Class of 1978. Air Force Aero Propulsion Laboratory Excellence in Turbine Engine Design award. USAF Squadron Officer's School Commandant's Trophy as top graduate. Distinguished graduate, USAF Fighter Weapons School. Named the Tactical Air Command F-111 Instructor Pilot of the Year, 1985. Selected for Outstanding Young Men of America, 1987. Recipient of the Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Meritorious Service Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, NASA Spaceflight Medal (3), NASA Exceptional Service Medal, NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal, and Air Force Distinguished Flying Cross.

  EXPERIENCE: Searfoss graduated in 1980 from Undergraduate Pilot Training at Williams Air Force Base, Arizona. From 1981-1984, he flew the F-111F operationally at RAF Lakenheath, England, followed by a tour at Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, where he was an F-111A instructor pilot and weapons officer until 1987. In 1988 he attended the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School, Patuxent River, Maryland, as a USAF exchange officer. He was a flight instructor at the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards AFB, California, when selected for the astronaut program.

  He has logged over 5,000 hours flying time in 56 different types of aircraft and over 939 hours in space. He also holds FAA Airline Transport Pilot, glider, and flight instructor ratings.

  NASA EXPERIENCE: Selected by NASA in January 1990, Searfoss became an astronaut in July 1991. Initially assigned to the Astronaut Office Mission Support Branch, Searfoss was part of a team responsible for crew ingress/strap-in prior to launch and crew egress after landing. He was subsequently assigned to flight software verification in the Shuttle Avionics Integration Laboratory (SAIL). Additionally, he served as the Astronaut Office representative for both flight crew procedures and Shuttle computer software development. He also served as the Astronaut Office Vehicle System and Operations Branch Chief, leading a team of several astronauts and support engineers working on Shuttle and International Space Station systems development, rendezvous and landing/rollout operations, and advanced projects initiatives. A veteran of three space flights, Searfoss has logged over 39 days in space. He served as pilot on STS-58 (October 18 to November 1, 1993) and STS-76 (March 22-31, 1996), and was the mission commander on STS-90 (April 17, to May 3, 1998). Searfoss retired from the Air Force and left NASA in 1998. For the next few years he worked in private industry and, more recently, was a research test pilot at NASAs Dryden Flight...]]>We are happy to re-cast a wonderful conversation we had with former NASA Astronaut, Col. Rick Searfoss back in 2016.  He joined us to talk about rockets, The Space Shuttle, and being an astronaut!

  Col. Rick Searfoss[/caption]

  From his NASA Bio:

  PERSONAL DATA: Born June 5, 1956, in Mount Clemens, Michigan, but considers Portsmouth, New Hampshire, to be his hometown. Married; three children. He enjoys running, soccer, radio-controlled model aircraft, Scouting, backpacking, and classical music.

  EDUCATION: Graduated from Portsmouth Senior High School, Portsmouth, New Hampshire in 1974; received a bachelor of science degree in aeronautical engineering from the USAF Academy in 1978, and a master of science degree in aeronautics from the California Institute of Technology on a National Science Foundation Fellowship in 1979. USAF Squadron Officer School, Air Command and Staff College, and Air War College.

  ORGANIZATIONS: Association of Space Explorers, National Eagle Scout Association, Air Force Association, Academy of Model Aeronautics.

  SPECIAL HONORS: Awarded the Harmon, Fairchild, Price and Tober Awards (top overall, academic, engineering, and aeronautical engineering graduate), United States Air Force Academy Class of 1978. Air Force Aero Propulsion Laboratory Excellence in Turbine Engine Design award. USAF Squadron Officer's School Commandant's Trophy as top graduate. Distinguished graduate, USAF Fighter Weapons School. Named the Tactical Air Command F-111 Instructor Pilot of the Year, 1985. Selected for Outstanding Young Men of America, 1987. Recipient of the Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Meritorious Service Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, NASA Spaceflight Medal (3), NASA Exceptional Service Medal, NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal, and Air Force Distinguished Flying Cross.

  EXPERIENCE: Searfoss graduated in 1980 from Undergraduate Pilot Training at Williams Air Force Base, Arizona. From 1981-1984, he flew the F-111F operationally at RAF Lakenheath, England, followed by a tour at Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, where he was an F-111A instructor pilot and weapons officer until 1987. In 1988 he attended the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School, Patuxent River, Maryland, as a USAF exchange officer. He was a flight instructor at the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards AFB, California, when selected for the astronaut program.

  He has logged over 5,000 hours flying time in 56 different types of aircraft and over 939 hours in space. He also holds FAA Airline Transport Pilot, glider, and flight instructor ratings.

  NASA EXPERIENCE: Selected by NASA in January 1990, Searfoss became an astronaut in July 1991. Initially assigned to the Astronaut Office Mission Support Branch, Searfoss was part of a team responsible for crew ingress/strap-in prior to launch and crew egress after landing. He was subsequently assigned to flight software verification in the Shuttle Avionics Integration Laboratory (SAIL). Additionally, he served as the Astronaut Office representative for both flight crew procedures and Shuttle computer software development. He also served as the Astronaut Office Vehicle System and Operations Branch Chief, leading a team of several astronauts and support engineers working on Shuttle and International Space Station systems development, rendezvous and landing/rollout operations, and advanced projects initiatives. A veteran of three space flights, Searfoss has logged over 39 days in space. He served as pilot on STS-58 (October 18 to November 1, 1993) and STS-76 (March 22-31, 1996), and was the mission commander on STS-90 (April 17, to May 3, 1998). Searfoss retired from the Air Force and left NASA in 1998. For the next few years he worked in private industry and, more recently, was a research test pilot at NASAs Dryden Flight Research Center. In February 2003, Searfoss left Dryden to pursue private business interests.

  SPACE FLIGHT EXPERIENCE: Searfoss served as STS-58 pilot on the seven-person life science research mission aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia, launching from the Kennedy Space Center on October 18, 1993, and landing at Edwards Air Force Base on November 1, 1993. The crew performed neurovestibular, cardiovascular, cardiopulmonary, metabolic, and musculoskeletal medical experiments on themselves and 48 rats, expanding our knowledge of human and animal physiology both on earth and in space flight. In addition, the crew performed 16 engineering tests aboard the Orbiter Columbia and 20 Extended Duration Orbiter Medical Project experiments. The mission was accomplished in 225 orbits of the Earth.

  Launching March 22, 1996, Searfoss flew his second mission as pilot of STS-76 aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis. During this 9-day mission the STS-76 crew performed the third docking of an American spacecraft with the Russian space station Mir. In support of a joint U.S./Russian program, the crew transported to Mir nearly two tons of water, food, supplies, and scientific equipment, as well as U.S. Astronaut Shannon Lucid to begin her six-month stay in space. STS-76 included the first ever spacewalk on a combined Space Shuttle-Space Station complex. The flight crew also conducted scientific investigations, including European Space Agency sponsored biology experiments, the Kidsat earth observations project, and several engineering flight tests. Completed in 145 orbits, STS-76 landed at Edwards Air Force Base, California, on March 31, 1996.

  Searfoss commanded a seven person crew on the STS-90 Neurolab mission which launched on April 17, 1998. During the 16-day Spacelab flight the crew served as both experiment subjects and operators for 26 individual life science experiments focusing on the effects of microgravity on the brain and nervous system. STS-90 was the last and most complex of the twenty-five Spacelab missions NASA has flown. Neurolab's scientific results will have broad applicability both in preparing for future long duration human space missions and in clinical applications on Earth. Completed in 256 orbits, STS-90 landed at Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on May 3, 1998.

  FEBRUARY 2003

  ]]>985ae7fafcdd4113ae4c8a908a989726Sat, 27 Oct 2018 07:28:11 -050001:18:10falsefullSeason 4 finale. NARAM 60 / Gheem's report from the field, and news!We wrap up season 4 with two field reports for you.

  We start with our friend Jesse Ulibarri, who got some neat audio from NARAM 60, as well as his "man on the scene" review.  We thank him for that effort!

  Gheem recorded his trip to the former "Bob Evans Farm" in southern Ohio, where he witnessed the Level 1 certification of our listener "Captain Kirk" as well as Gheem's former student who went for his Level 2 certification.

  Enjoy!

   

  ]]>We wrap up season 4 with two field reports for you.

  We start with our friend Jesse Ulibarri, who got some neat audio from NARAM 60, as well as his "man on the scene" review.  We thank him for that effort!

  Gheem recorded his trip to the former "Bob Evans Farm" in southern Ohio, where he witnessed the Level 1 certification of our listener "Captain Kirk" as well as Gheem's former student who went for his Level 2 certification.

  Enjoy!

   

  ]]>a87d71cf7851432598ddfb8c765b30d9Tue, 16 Oct 2018 03:51:38 -050001:15:18falsefull469694Special report: ISS crew safe after in-flight abort during liftoff.Special report podcast from the rocketry show.
  ]]>Special report podcast from the rocketry show.
  ]]>6b656e182ed049f0a21e2321ea4fe1f1Thu, 11 Oct 2018 14:08:10 -050009:30falsefullWorkshop Talk & Your FeedbackThe rocketry show team regroup after a busy production schedule producing the last few episodes, and we go for a laid back workshop talk episode and look over your comments from the last several weeks.

  We also talk about our new e-mail list group you can join to get information on the show from us, chat with us and other listeners, and share rocket war stories.

  Look here to subscribe:

  https://groups.io/g/therocketryshow

  If you are on facebook, like our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/therocketryshow

  Our facebook discussion forum: https://www.facebook.com/groups/therocketryshow

   

   

  ]]>The rocketry show team regroup after a busy production schedule producing the last few episodes, and we go for a laid back workshop talk episode and look over your comments from the last several weeks.

  We also talk about our new e-mail list group you can join to get information on the show from us, chat with us and other listeners, and share rocket war stories.

  Look here to subscribe:

  https://groups.io/g/therocketryshow

  If you are on facebook, like our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/therocketryshow

  Our facebook discussion forum: https://www.facebook.com/groups/therocketryshow

   

   

  ]]>6119988e2f264d71934e8d4db3db58d4Fri, 07 Sep 2018 02:16:19 -050001:24:09falsefull468684Low and Mid Power fiberglass rockets and ‘Bama Blastoff.August 25, 2018 by CG

  We’re joined by Steve Skinner of Mach 1 Rocketry and Ronald Dunn of Birmingham Rocket Boys to talk about Mach 1 and their new line of fiberglass rockets, as well as the Bama Blastoff event happening at the Dee River Ranch in west of Aliceville, Alabama.

  The event boasts a 16,800 foot standing waiver and 12,000 acres of mostly open recovery area.

  Want to learn more about this and BT tube sized fiberglass rockets? You’ve come to the right episode!

  ]]>August 25, 2018 by CG

  We’re joined by Steve Skinner of Mach 1 Rocketry and Ronald Dunn of Birmingham Rocket Boys to talk about Mach 1 and their new line of fiberglass rockets, as well as the Bama Blastoff event happening at the Dee River Ranch in west of Aliceville, Alabama.

  The event boasts a 16,800 foot standing waiver and 12,000 acres of mostly open recovery area.

  Want to learn more about this and BT tube sized fiberglass rockets? You’ve come to the right episode!

  ]]>305ca9036cda49d9a20243887895b330Sun, 26 Aug 2018 02:55:19 -050001:10:38falsefull467674NSL 2018 Part TwoWelcome to part two of our NSL 2018 episode!

  Gheem will take you on a journey through NSL 2018 using the magic of "soundscaping". We worked hard to try to paint the images and experiences of NSL 2018 through the magic of sound. Theatre of the mind, if you will!

  Gheem and his composite B motor from Quest.

  Also, Plenty more from Vern and Gleda Estes as well.

  Joe Barnard.

  Our Assistant Producer Kelly and her rocket. 

  Enjoy!

  ]]>Welcome to part two of our NSL 2018 episode!

  Gheem will take you on a journey through NSL 2018 using the magic of "soundscaping". We worked hard to try to paint the images and experiences of NSL 2018 through the magic of sound. Theatre of the mind, if you will!

  Gheem and his composite B motor from Quest.

  Also, Plenty more from Vern and Gleda Estes as well.

  Joe Barnard.

  Our Assistant Producer Kelly and her rocket. 

  Enjoy!

  ]]>ea437a4f9dc34ad2ac4ee37dec7da49eFri, 10 Aug 2018 03:29:18 -050001:24:11falsefull466664NSL 2018 Part One.We start with some exciting hot off the presses news from the hobby rocketry scene, then we dive into part one of the NSL 2018 coverage.

  We talk to Gregory Young and MaryBeth Clune of the MARS rocket club. MARS was the hosting club for NSL in Geneseo, NY, and what it took to pull off such an amazing event is a story in itself!

   

  We then jump to the Vern and Gleda Estes play where they run through the Origin story of Estes Industries. For the Patrons of the show, you got to hear the raw recordings of this from us some time back. Here is the entire event, including the missing parts from the beginning, courtesy of the MARS Rocket club!

  We close the episode with some e-mails from the mailbag, and an answer to Gheem’s experiences with the expensive paint, which he talked about in the previous episode. 

  ]]>We start with some exciting hot off the presses news from the hobby rocketry scene, then we dive into part one of the NSL 2018 coverage.

  We talk to Gregory Young and MaryBeth Clune of the MARS rocket club. MARS was the hosting club for NSL in Geneseo, NY, and what it took to pull off such an amazing event is a story in itself!

   

  We then jump to the Vern and Gleda Estes play where they run through the Origin story of Estes Industries. For the Patrons of the show, you got to hear the raw recordings of this from us some time back. Here is the entire event, including the missing parts from the beginning, courtesy of the MARS Rocket club!

  We close the episode with some e-mails from the mailbag, and an answer to Gheem’s experiences with the expensive paint, which he talked about in the previous episode. 

  ]]>81c5ce5dfd774323a2dbfd8839f06d4eTue, 17 Jul 2018 12:46:49 -050001:31:11falsefull465654Workshop Talk and General Catch UpWe've been busy producing single topic episodes, and working on items for the NSL 2018 program.  The Rocketry Show team decided to take a moment and catch up with you all.

  Topics discussed:

  • NASA Student Launch results
  • The release of the TARC 2019 rules, and boy are they a challenge!
  • The n00b's foolproof way to stick self adhesive stickers to your rockets.
  • Gheem's rocket camp classes.
  
  

  We also give away the last copy of our Make: High Power Rockets book by Mike Westerfield.

  TARC 2019 Rules are here

  ]]>We've been busy producing single topic episodes, and working on items for the NSL 2018 program.  The Rocketry Show team decided to take a moment and catch up with you all.

  Topics discussed:

  • NASA Student Launch results
  • The release of the TARC 2019 rules, and boy are they a challenge!
  • The n00b's foolproof way to stick self adhesive stickers to your rockets.
  • Gheem's rocket camp classes.
  
  

  We also give away the last copy of our Make: High Power Rockets book by Mike Westerfield.

  TARC 2019 Rules are here

  ]]>0538c50f95a145728b1b65eeb600c065Mon, 02 Jul 2018 20:18:38 -050001:11:01falsefull464644Glues, Epoxy, and Fillers...OH MY!Daniel, The Rocket n00b has just completed a series on the properties of some Glues, Epoxies, and Fillers through a series of experiments in an attempt to satisfy his curiosity.

  Picture: What weighs more? Hmmm...

  Which is the lightest?  Which is the strongest?  Which is the easiest to work with?

  Some interesting results were found!

  CG and Gheem talk (briefly) about NSL, and we dive into the e-mailbag.

  Daniel's articles can be seen here on our site, and also at his blogsite:

  http://rocketn00b.blogspot.com/

  ]]>Daniel, The Rocket n00b has just completed a series on the properties of some Glues, Epoxies, and Fillers through a series of experiments in an attempt to satisfy his curiosity.

  Picture: What weighs more? Hmmm...

  Which is the lightest?  Which is the strongest?  Which is the easiest to work with?

  Some interesting results were found!

  CG and Gheem talk (briefly) about NSL, and we dive into the e-mailbag.

  Daniel's articles can be seen here on our site, and also at his blogsite:

  http://rocketn00b.blogspot.com/

  ]]>2583e0a4aa454ad3b2ca623cba03e415Wed, 06 Jun 2018 03:49:50 -050001:27:19falsefull463634Mini Episode: Catching up with the n00bThe show team have put together a mini episode for you to enjoy as the gang gear up for a couple of big shows.

  To make things better, The Rocket n00b was able to surface and join us again!

  We also briefly discus the TARC 2018 early results.

  ]]>The show team have put together a mini episode for you to enjoy as the gang gear up for a couple of big shows.

  To make things better, The Rocket n00b was able to surface and join us again!

  We also briefly discus the TARC 2018 early results.

  ]]>092b40855e2ad88d32cceab55ab7227fSun, 13 May 2018 21:31:47 -050033:52falsefull462624LOC PrecisionEpisode 61: We talk to Dave Barber and Jason Turicik, the NEW owners of Loc Precision! Need we say more? :-) CG talks about a neat podcast for you to listen to, and much more!

   

  ]]>Episode 61: We talk to Dave Barber and Jason Turicik, the NEW owners of Loc Precision! Need we say more? :-) CG talks about a neat podcast for you to listen to, and much more!

   

  ]]>4f4c34377da429ff643de480a193de98Tue, 01 May 2018 03:21:22 -050053:32falsefull461614Gheem's Gone Wild!Welcome to Episode 60!

  We’ll catch you up on what we’ve been up to since the last episode, and we’ll delve into a question sent from one of our listeners.

  Also...Gheem Goes Wild!  A funny moment  between the Rocketry Show hosts that we will share with you.

  We’d like to point out that we were having a problem with our main computer during the recording of the program, so we apologize if the audio is a little glitchy.

  ]]>Welcome to Episode 60!

  We’ll catch you up on what we’ve been up to since the last episode, and we’ll delve into a question sent from one of our listeners.

  Also...Gheem Goes Wild!  A funny moment  between the Rocketry Show hosts that we will share with you.

  We’d like to point out that we were having a problem with our main computer during the recording of the program, so we apologize if the audio is a little glitchy.

  ]]>7cc40d0f638c64c27aa2a6206b422502Sat, 07 Apr 2018 06:16:07 -050001:02:52falsefull460604Record Breaking Rockets MashupWe’re going to re-visit things in the land "down undah", mates! We’ll be joined by Blake Nicolic of Australia's Thunda Down Under, and he’s going to give a preview of next year’s huge event.

  We then revisit one of the highlights from the first Thunda gathering and bring back an interview with Nat Callea on the V2 rocket built by Victoria Rocketry which holds the current world record for the largest hobby rocket.

  If that isn’t enough, We’ll then interview Nat, and Steve Eves, the previous record holder with his 1:10 scale Saturn V Rocket that he successfully flew at MDRA several years ago.

  We also introduce the next winner for the Make: High Power Rockets by Mike Westerfield, and announce the next trivia question!

  ]]>We’re going to re-visit things in the land "down undah", mates! We’ll be joined by Blake Nicolic of Australia's Thunda Down Under, and he’s going to give a preview of next year’s huge event.

  We then revisit one of the highlights from the first Thunda gathering and bring back an interview with Nat Callea on the V2 rocket built by Victoria Rocketry which holds the current world record for the largest hobby rocket.

  If that isn’t enough, We’ll then interview Nat, and Steve Eves, the previous record holder with his 1:10 scale Saturn V Rocket that he successfully flew at MDRA several years ago.

  We also introduce the next winner for the Make: High Power Rockets by Mike Westerfield, and announce the next trivia question!

  ]]>99d64af374551558595d3d8acfa2cd79Tue, 06 Mar 2018 05:27:25 -050001:12:40falsefull459594Big Rockets news!The gang couldn't resist reviewing and discussing the biggest news since the last show: The Falcon heavy launch!

  The immersive audio of the launch we used comes from Destin Sandlin of SmarterEveryDay.Com

  We also talk about New Zealand's Rocket Labs launch.

  We answer your e-mails, and comments on some of the Estes speculation heard on Episode 57.

  Here is a link to the Chris Pearson article we mentioned on the state of the hobby industry.

  ...And we announce another winner for the Make High Power Rockets book!

   

  ]]>The gang couldn't resist reviewing and discussing the biggest news since the last show: The Falcon heavy launch!

  The immersive audio of the launch we used comes from Destin Sandlin of SmarterEveryDay.Com

  We also talk about New Zealand's Rocket Labs launch.

  We answer your e-mails, and comments on some of the Estes speculation heard on Episode 57.

  Here is a link to the Chris Pearson article we mentioned on the state of the hobby industry.

  ...And we announce another winner for the Make High Power Rockets book!

   

  ]]>274de6de8cd9e55b3958275d34c95637Wed, 14 Feb 2018 04:53:38 -050001:09:21falsefull458584Charlie Savoie, and also a TARC StoryCharlie Savoie joins us to discus what they’ve been up to at Aerotech, and answers some questions from our Patrons.

  Gheem shares with us a piece he has been working on…it’s a little story that shares some insights on being a TARC team coach!

  One of Gheem’s TARC members also flew a level 1 certification…seen here with our buddy, Andrew.

  Gheem’s TARC team (US Rocketry) prep their rocket.

   ]]>Charlie Savoie joins us to discus what they’ve been up to at Aerotech, and answers some questions from our Patrons.

  Gheem shares with us a piece he has been working on…it’s a little story that shares some insights on being a TARC team coach!

  One of Gheem’s TARC members also flew a level 1 certification…seen here with our buddy, Andrew.

  Gheem’s TARC team (US Rocketry) prep their rocket.

   ]]>796306935b8a2e7ab9c4b11e07d41636Mon, 29 Jan 2018 00:00:58 -050001:07:01falsefull457574Author, Mike Westerfield - Make: High Power RocketsMike Westerfield joins us to talk about his newest book, Make: High Power Rockets!

  From the preface of his book:

  My first book, 'Make: Rockets,' covered basic rocket science, including construction, aerodynamics, simulation, tracking, and electrical engineering. The rockets in that book are made from thin, lightweight materials that are extremely safe. Some projects work well

  Mike Westerfield

  with young children, while others will challenge a college engineering student.

  High-power rocketry is different, though. While there is a junior-level certification (covered in 'NAR junior certification'), high-power rocketry is otherwise restricted to people over 18. High-power rockets can easily break the sound barrier, shooting miles into the sky. The rockets themselves are not the small, collapsible paper rockets flown in schools and scouting—they are often metal-tipped, fiberglass missiles that weigh tens or even hundreds of pounds. FAA clearances and certifications are required.

  After the show, Daniel the Rocket n00b will announce the contest to give away some copies of this new book to a few lucky listeners!

  ]]>Mike Westerfield joins us to talk about his newest book, Make: High Power Rockets!

  From the preface of his book:

  My first book, 'Make: Rockets,' covered basic rocket science, including construction, aerodynamics, simulation, tracking, and electrical engineering. The rockets in that book are made from thin, lightweight materials that are extremely safe. Some projects work well

  Mike Westerfield

  with young children, while others will challenge a college engineering student.

  High-power rocketry is different, though. While there is a junior-level certification (covered in 'NAR junior certification'), high-power rocketry is otherwise restricted to people over 18. High-power rockets can easily break the sound barrier, shooting miles into the sky. The rockets themselves are not the small, collapsible paper rockets flown in schools and scouting—they are often metal-tipped, fiberglass missiles that weigh tens or even hundreds of pounds. FAA clearances and certifications are required.

  After the show, Daniel the Rocket n00b will announce the contest to give away some copies of this new book to a few lucky listeners!

  ]]>6e85e9a3500ffef7713661f1f24fe3d1Mon, 15 Jan 2018 04:47:33 -050001:14:30falsefull456564A Rocketry Show Holiday Party!The team goes on the road, and set up at their club Christmas party and record a show.  

  Lots of rocket stories are shared.  Enjoy, and Happy Holidays!

  ]]>The team goes on the road, and set up at their club Christmas party and record a show.  

  Lots of rocket stories are shared.  Enjoy, and Happy Holidays!

  ]]>adf37b90859a53ec671e5ea133f65881Sat, 16 Dec 2017 21:42:48 -050058:53falsefull455554Addendum - Let's make a correction!Chris Pearson called to make a correction to some of the distance information we shared in the initial (free) version of Episode 54.
  ]]>Chris Pearson called to make a correction to some of the distance information we shared in the initial (free) version of Episode 54.
  ]]>2421b6c40cffaf09e420356921825120Tue, 21 Nov 2017 02:45:11 -050006:19falsefull44LiPo battery follow-up, and filing for FAA Waivers for your club!CG follows up on the previous episode, adding some important notes about Lithium Polymer (LiPo) Batteries.

  We invite Chris Pearson, Prefect for Northern Ohio Tripoli to the show to talk about what it takes and things to think about to file an FAA Waiver for high power rocketry launches.  He also talks about things to think about when doing so.

  For the Patrons of our show, we will post (shortly) a much longer version of this show, where Chris Pearson fills in much of the history behind this process!

  FAA information mentioned in this episode can be found here:

  https://www.nar.org/high-power-rocketry-info/filing-for-faa-launch-authorization/filing-for-faa-waiver/

  http://www.nar.org/find-a-local-club/section-guidebook/laws-regulations/

  https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ast/licenses_permits/sub_orbital_rockets/

  ]]>CG follows up on the previous episode, adding some important notes about Lithium Polymer (LiPo) Batteries.

  We invite Chris Pearson, Prefect for Northern Ohio Tripoli to the show to talk about what it takes and things to think about to file an FAA Waiver for high power rocketry launches.  He also talks about things to think about when doing so.

  For the Patrons of our show, we will post (shortly) a much longer version of this show, where Chris Pearson fills in much of the history behind this process!

  FAA information mentioned in this episode can be found here:

  https://www.nar.org/high-power-rocketry-info/filing-for-faa-launch-authorization/filing-for-faa-waiver/

  http://www.nar.org/find-a-local-club/section-guidebook/laws-regulations/

  https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ast/licenses_permits/sub_orbital_rockets/

  ]]>9c8280876a25f7308b89b0581c972328Tue, 14 Nov 2017 19:38:44 -050001:01:55falsefull454544Season 4 Premiere! Straight Fins and Lithium PolymerWe're back for Episode 1 of Season 4 of the Rocketry Show!

  This is a show packed with lots of information for you!   Daniel, The Rocket n00b starts with a discussion on a technique he mastered for making curled balsa and Basswood rocket fins straight again!

  CG chimes in during the second half to give a basic beginner's primer on Lithium polymer (LiPo) batteries for powering your electronic systems on board your next rocket project!

  References for you to follow up on what CG was talking about:

  Since the show was running a bit long, and there were details CG didn't get to cover, he has provided some quick, but important notes here:

  What does the Battery “C Rating” mean?

  The C rating of a Lithium Polymer (LiPo) battery (or cell) is used as a guide to show what kind of continuous current draw, in amps,  the cell in question will support.

  By multiplying the C rating times the cell capacity in milliamperehours (mAh), the continuous current in milliamperes (mA) of a cell can be calculated.

  In my case, the batteries I use for Nesaru are rated as 180 mAh, 25-40C.  I’ll use the lower “C” number, as I’m pretty sure the 40C is “peak” capacity – more on that in a moment.

  The Turnigy LiPo battery CG uses for his rocket, Nesaru.

  For this battery, the safe continuous current draw value is found by multiplying 180 (mAh) x 25 (C), which gives you 4500 mA, or 4.5 Amps.

  Now, for the "Peak value".

  This is the amount of current the battery can safely deliver for very short periods of time.   In this case, the battery says its peak value is 40C.  Using the same math above, we get a peak current rating of 7200 Ma, or 7.2 Amps.

  Note on Charger setting:

  The battery in my example is rated for 8C max charge rate.   Doing the math (180 x 8), the safe charge rate for my battery is about 1.44 Amps.

  As for the charger settings for this battery, I should stay below the 1.44 Amp charge value to stay safe.   Not pushing the battery to its limits in the charger means the cells will stand a much lesser chance of becoming unbalanced (in multi-cell batteries).  So, I typically charge this battery at a 0.5 Amps on the charger.

  Why?  Because unbalanced battery cells = a really bad day in the field – if you’re lucky!

  Links I found for further reading on the topic, and packed with many of the tips I gave, plus much more:

  The Lithium Polymer Safety Guide

  The Drone Girl blog

  That swollen cell phone LiPo battery CG talked about during the show!

  liPo cell phone battery gone bad!

  The swelling is apparent, and even though the battery has a big "Li-Ion" stamp on the lower right corner, the fine print on top says what CG figured out when the swelling pushed his old cell phone apart...

  ]]>We're back for Episode 1 of Season 4 of the Rocketry Show!

  This is a show packed with lots of information for you!   Daniel, The Rocket n00b starts with a discussion on a technique he mastered for making curled balsa and Basswood rocket fins straight again!

  CG chimes in during the second half to give a basic beginner's primer on Lithium polymer (LiPo) batteries for powering your electronic systems on board your next rocket project!

  References for you to follow up on what CG was talking about:

  Since the show was running a bit long, and there were details CG didn't get to cover, he has provided some quick, but important notes here:

  What does the Battery “C Rating” mean?

  The C rating of a Lithium Polymer (LiPo) battery (or cell) is used as a guide to show what kind of continuous current draw, in amps,  the cell in question will support.

  By multiplying the C rating times the cell capacity in milliamperehours (mAh), the continuous current in milliamperes (mA) of a cell can be calculated.

  In my case, the batteries I use for Nesaru are rated as 180 mAh, 25-40C.  I’ll use the lower “C” number, as I’m pretty sure the 40C is “peak” capacity – more on that in a moment.

  The Turnigy LiPo battery CG uses for his rocket, Nesaru.

  For this battery, the safe continuous current draw value is found by multiplying 180 (mAh) x 25 (C), which gives you 4500 mA, or 4.5 Amps.

  Now, for the "Peak value".

  This is the amount of current the battery can safely deliver for very short periods of time.   In this case, the battery says its peak value is 40C.  Using the same math above, we get a peak current rating of 7200 Ma, or 7.2 Amps.

  Note on Charger setting:

  The battery in my example is rated for 8C max charge rate.   Doing the math (180 x 8), the safe charge rate for my battery is about 1.44 Amps.

  As for the charger settings for this battery, I should stay below the 1.44 Amp charge value to stay safe.   Not pushing the battery to its limits in the charger means the cells will stand a much lesser chance of becoming unbalanced (in multi-cell batteries).  So, I typically charge this battery at a 0.5 Amps on the charger.

  Why?  Because unbalanced battery cells = a really bad day in the field – if you’re lucky!

  Links I found for further reading on the topic, and packed with many of the tips I gave, plus much more:

  The Lithium Polymer Safety Guide

  The Drone Girl blog

  That swollen cell phone LiPo battery CG talked about during the show!

  liPo cell phone battery gone bad!

  The swelling is apparent, and even though the battery has a big "Li-Ion" stamp on the lower right corner, the fine print on top says what CG figured out when the swelling pushed his old cell phone apart...

  ]]>6f9b873e55c5b7f51fa4dcaa2eb8adcaTue, 24 Oct 2017 17:45:29 -050001:20:20falsefull453534Welcome John Boren from EstesJohn Boren from Estes Rockets joins us, and talks rocket kits with us. Get a sneak peak into what goes behind a new Estes Rocket design, and the criteria behind why some designs happen! Also, We answer a very interesting question from one of our listeners!
  ]]>John Boren from Estes Rockets joins us, and talks rocket kits with us. Get a sneak peak into what goes behind a new Estes Rocket design, and the criteria behind why some designs happen! Also, We answer a very interesting question from one of our listeners!
  ]]>8427d34d75c8ce9138535c1a7c0d4f00Sun, 18 Dec 2016 17:37:45 -050001:07:41falsefull339393Jason Cook with Insane RocketryJason Cook from Insane Rocketry joins us for a fun episode of The Rocketry Show.
  Jason Cook

  He talks about his cool product, and talks rocketry with the gang.

  We also fall into a discussion on the recent success of the Sky Cycle that successfully completed the old Evel Knievel Snake River jump.  This cycle, overseen and designed by Scott Traux redeemed his dad's (the late Robert Traux) Sky Cycle rocket design!

  The Sky Cycle used some of Jason Cook's tech on board.

  It's a lot of fun, and enjoy!

   

  ]]>Jason Cook from Insane Rocketry joins us for a fun episode of The Rocketry Show.
  Jason Cook

  He talks about his cool product, and talks rocketry with the gang.

  We also fall into a discussion on the recent success of the Sky Cycle that successfully completed the old Evel Knievel Snake River jump.  This cycle, overseen and designed by Scott Traux redeemed his dad's (the late Robert Traux) Sky Cycle rocket design!

  The Sky Cycle used some of Jason Cook's tech on board.

  It's a lot of fun, and enjoy!

   

  ]]>64eedd5865a609d17f34744c7b496285Sun, 20 Nov 2016 21:53:30 -050052:33falsefull337373[The Rocketry Show] Episode #30: John Beans of Jolly Logichttps://www.therocketryshow.com/?p=587Mon, 18 Jul 2016 21:29:21 -050054:49falsefull230302