Rocketforge

in the aftermath of Discovery Channels excellent coverage of LDRS 22 there has been a sharp increase in new interest in the hobby. Here is some userful information for someone just starting out.

- iz

someone posed this question on a rocketry forum:

“As one with literally no rocketry background and I mean zero, what’s the best way to get started. Looks like just a simple model rocket pre-assembled or not?”

here are some useful tips from my experience:

a ’starter set’ will get you off and running. It comes complete with a “Ready-to-fly” rocket, and a launch pad and electronic ignition. You will also want some motors.

My kids and I launched at a large school yard, virtually empty on weekends once the weather is brisk. You will just want to make sure the wind is low. Of course I’ll recommend that you involve yourself with a local club for alot of reasons, including the brains to pick – and a spectators to appreciate your flights! But there is something about launching your (or your kids) first rocket from your own launch pad, with you pressing the button, that is priceless! I still have the mobile videos of my kids first launch.

Quest makes a product that is superior to the Estes ones, both in quality of materials and craftsmanship.

You can buy buy these at Rocket Warehouse (and other hobby rocketry retailers):

Quest starter sets and rocket kits

Quest motors

I would also recommend buying these excellent books and the CD
available from Apogee Rocketry. I have them all, and found the mobile movies on the CD-ROM to be both interesting and instructive for my three young rocketeers (ages 9 to 13).

Building Skill Level 1 Model Rocket Kits (CD-ROM, $13)

“Model Rocket Design and Construction”, by Tim Van Milligan (Book, $24)

“Second Stage: Advanced Model Rocketry – 2nd. Edition”, by Michael Banks (Book, $16)

when you are ready to move on to kit building, please consider the following vendors of quality model rocket kits (in alphabetical order)

Aerospace Speciality Products

Apogee

Balsa Machining Service

FlisKits

Pratt Hobbies

Qualified Competition Rockets

The Launch Pad

U.S. Rockets

I’m in the middle of reading two of the latest business books that I think are worth recommending here. The first is The Innovator’s Solution by Clayton M. Christensen. This is the follow on work to the The Innovator’s Dilemma. Both books explore why well run companies can’t seem to prevent disruptive products/business models from kicking them out of the market. While it is a good read for people in large companies dealing with disruptive developments, its an even better introduction into what it takes to actually be that disruptive force.

The second is Re-imagine! by Tom Peters (author of In Search of Excellence). This one is definitely not the product of the Harvard Business School. Its done in a psuedo Wired design style that some will find annoying. But the content is worth it. Tom rants and provides visions of the future of business that is a lot more ephemeral than what we know to day, which is a simple extension of how ephemeral our business climate is compared to 100 years ago. His recuring example is the virtual nature of Al Qaeda and what our military has to become in order to defeat them.

It seems that the Frontier Files Online is back from “500 Fatal Error” land.

Jeff Foust discusses The Colony Fund and prizes (i.e. the XPrize) as funding sources for space ventures. I disagree with his metaphor of funding as the “ultimate rocket fuel”. Funding is something that comes after you’ve found a product/service that customers will buy. A paying customer is the real rocket fuel we’re all looking for.

The Carnival of the Capitalists for today has a link to an interesting article on the impact of Open Source techniques on business.

SpaceDev (OTCBB: SPDV) is auctioning a world exclusive privatespace mission on eBay. This first of its kind eBay auction isbeing listed for the ten-day period of 8:00 PM (PST) Monday,November 10, through 8:00 PM (PST) Thursday, November 20th.The SpaceDev space mission auction is at:

http://echo.bluehornet.com/ct/ct.php?t=355015&c=192605897&m=m&type=3

Most earth orbiting small satellite missions can cost $25million or more, not including the launch. To demonstrate theaffordability of private space missions, SpaceDev has posted a “Buy it Now” price of $9.5 million. The high bidder will win a spacecraft based on SpaceDev’s Maneuvering and orbit TransferVehicle (MTV™).

“I founded SpaceDev to accelerate the development of space, to get the public involved in space and to have fun,” said Jim Benson, SpaceDev founder and CEO. “With our successful launch and operation of CHIPSat earlier this year, and after being competitively selected to provide safe hybrid rocket propulsion for manned space flight, we are offering this unique space mission to the public.”

The high bidder has the right to supply his or her own payload, to name the SpaceDev MTV™ satellite and to name the mission. The winning bidder, which could be an individual, company or government agency, can also be involved in the mission design, satellite assembly and testing (including putting small personalitems on the spacecraft), can attend the launch, and can participate in on-orbit operations.

The nominal payload is a camera that provides a view of the launch separation on-orbit, a buyer-controlled camera on the spacecraft looking back down on earth and into space 24 hours a day, or the buyer can supply a SpaceDev-approved payload. Themicrosatellite camera can be operated over the Internet by the winning bidder, similar to SpaceDev’s CHIPSat microsat, which is the world’s first orbiting node on the Internet. Specific termsare included in the eBay auction listing. Search eBay for“SpaceDev.”

About SpaceDev

SpaceDev is a publicly traded company that creates and sells affordable and innovative space products and services to government and commercial enterprises. SpaceDev’s offering includes the design, manufacture, marketing and operation of sophisticated micro- and nano- satellites, hybrid rocket-based orbital Maneuvering and orbital Transfer Vehicles (MTVs), as well as safe sub-orbital and orbital hybrid rocket-based propulsion systems. For more information, visit www.spacedev.com.

—————————————————————-

This newsletter may contain forward-looking statementsconcerning the Company’s business and future prospects and other similar statements that do not concern matters of historicalfact. Forward-looking statements relating to product development, business prospects and development of a commercial market for technological advances are based on the Company’s current expectations. The Company’s current expectations are subject to all of the uncertainties and risks customarily associated with developing business ventures including, but notlimited to, risks associated with new product development and availability of raw resources and suppliers, risks to marketed products and availability of financing and other sources of income, as well as risks discussed in the Company’s periodic reports filed with the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission. The Company’s actual results may differ materially from current expectations. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements contained in this release and to read it in conjunction with the Company’s annual report on Form 10-KSB, including the consolidated financial statements filed therewith. The Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or for any other reason.

Many space companies have various low end products for generating operating revenue (TransOrbital being one example). The problem they’re all having is finding channels for getting those products in front of impulse buyers given they’re very low marketing budgets and incompatibility with typical retail channels. That’s where guerilla or viral marketing comes in. This article links to a nice introduction to the concepts with recommendations for how to get the word out about your products.

the Rocket Challenge series is outSTANDING!!!

here is the re-air schedule

[ Times shown are EST ]

— Thursday/Friday, Nov 13/14 2003 —
08:00 PM Wild and Weird Rockets
09:00 PM How High Can You Fly?
10:00 PM Supersonic Speed Demons
11:00 PM Wild and Weird Rockets
12:00 AM How High Can You Fly?
01:00 AM Supersonic Speed Demons

— Saturday, Nov 15 2003 —
12:00 PM Wild and Weird Rockets
01:00 PM How High Can You Fly?
02:00 PM Supersonic Speed Demons

— Saturday, Nov 22 2003 —
05:00 PM Wild and Weird Rockets
06:00 PM How High Can You Fly?
07:00 PM Supersonic Speed Demons

and here are the blurbs from TDC

Wild and Weird Rockets

The largest amateur rocket competition blasts off in Kansas — with a chance to break world records and put some of the most unusual rockets into the atmosphere. Can the Aurora hit Mach 2? And can an outhouse really fly?

How High Can You Fly?

The highest bowling ball wins! Rocketeers launch rockets with 16-pound bowling balls in a heavyweight altitude challenge. And which team will win from the ground up as teams race to build and launch an 8 ft rocket from scratch in just a matter of hours.

Supersonic Speed Demons

Speed is the challenge, as rocketeers compete to build and fly the fastest home built rocket at speeds over 1300 miles per hour. And viewers will see who can launch a rocket with the most precision in a target based, high-stress competition.

[ source: The Discovery Channel Online ]

- iz

November 4, 2003 – The ATFE and its contractor, Applied Research Associates, have been purchasing high power rocket motors, rocket kits, launch rails, electrical launchers and other items to conduct tests at Hill Air Force Base in Utah. The purpose of the tests is to provide proof that high power rockets can be used to shoot down commercial aircraft during landings and takeoffs. The tests will be documented by videotape. It is expected that the video tape will be released during a press conference for maximum media exposure.

The ATFE plans were first discovered by a high power rocket vendor who recognized the name of ATFE agent, David Shatzer, as he purchased launch rail equipment. Mr. Shatzer has been traveling across the country purchasing other high power rocket supplies using the cover story that he is a high power rocket hobbyist. He changes the story with respect to who he will be flying with depending on his geographical location. Applied Research Associates has purchased at least 40 J350 rocket motors and large numbers of rocket kits from different suppliers.

It was reported to ARSA that Applied Research Associates employees along with ATFE agents were to conduct tests yesterday at Hill Air Force Base using a target drone to simulate a commercial aircraft. The high power rockets were to be launched out of a parked van. The rockets were going to be launched one at a time at the drone as well as several at a time. The rockets did not contain explosive warheads. It is not known whether the drone was rigged to simulate an explosion as a high power rocket passed by.

The information in this story was made available to Senator Mike Enzi’s staff. It is not know at this time, what action, if any, Senator Enzi plans to take. Watch for further updates on this story as it develops.

from ARSAnews

- iz