Our Planet is a Social Networking site for rocket folks. I had always been hesitant about social networking, but this is cool. There are 110 members so far. I have picked up a number of friends. It will be nice interacting with folks I see at out of town launches that I’d like to get to know better. If you are a rocketeer consider joining. Thanks to Darrell Mobley of Rocketry Planet for making this happen! (more…)

I recently was awarded my NARTREK gold from the NAR.  The NARTREK program is  a self-paced program designed to improve your knowledge and skill in rocketry step by step.  You can read more about it here. 

 http://www.nar.org/NARTREK/

The program is a lot of fun.  I heard from some people that they thought it was for kids, but I would say that it is far from it. 

The progression from Bronze to Silver to Gold seems easy, but some of the steps can be a challenge.  The main thing is that you really do not know which one will be your challenge until you do it.

 The Bronze has 4 steps:

• Perform a 60-second parachute duration flight with a kit model.
• Perform a 30-second streamer duration flight with a kit model.
• Perform a two-staged flight with a kit model.
• Perform a large model flight (D motor or above) with a kit model.

My rockets for the Bronze can be seen here. 

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I have spotted two Estes Astrovision Digital Video Rockets at the Panama City Hobby Lobby. With a 40% off coupon it would be about $45. Let me know if you want me to pick one up for you. I can bring it to a future launch.  I think this would be a nice Christmas present idea.

Greg

The Sputnik would be a very appropriate Odd Roc for the Oct 6th SEARS launch since the 50th anniversary of Russian Sputnik flight is on October 4th. This is John Stein’s Sputnik:

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