Two Homeland Security Updates

06/09/03 00:00:00    

By Michael Mealling

Homeland security impacts experimental rocketry

June 9, 2003 - The Reaction Research Society (RRS) announced in an emailing to members that it has suspended the handling of all solid rocket propellants until they decide what effects the Homeland Security Act has on their activities. They also prohibited any electric matches or composite propellant of any kind, even small pieces of solid propellant used as igniters. The RRS stated to its members, “ I know this may be a problem for some of you, but we must do things differently now. Many things that were legal and safe a month ago (and for the 60 years before that) are now classified as criminal activity. As a group, we have no choice except to tread cautiously here while making sure we understand and comply with any and all new regulations.”

RRS has been doing experimental rocketry for 60 years and has a perfect safety record. Their facility is one of the most sophisticated in the United States. To learn more about the history of RRS, visit their website

John Wickman On Weight Limits

June 9, 2003 - Senate Bill S724 is currently in a very dangerous position. Many Senators are extremely concerned about a law that permits American citizens to have an unlimited amount of ammonium perchlorate composite propellant (APCP). In the last few weeks, there has been a series of discussions, or negotiations as TRA/NAR put it, on various weight limits and formulas for these limits.

See the complete editorial for details.