What is happening to rocketry in America

U.S. Senator Press Release ^ | July 29, 2003 | U.S. Sen. Mike Enzi, R-Wyo

[iz55]

The United States of America is the leader in mankind’s effort to colonize and explore space. Hobby rocketry plays an important role in stimulating the fascination of young minds in this direction, and provides an essential teaching tool and experimentation paradigm for developing technological expertise in areas necessary in this endeavor, for those in elementary, secondary and higher education. Recent changes in Federal law, that traverse in unpredictable ways through State and Local law, threaten to take rocketry out of the hands of Americans - the only people ever to set foot on a heavenly body other than the Earth. World-wide industry supporting avocational rocketry is threatened with collapse.

[iz55]

for more information on hobby, sport, experimental and amateur rocketry, see

http://www.flyrockets.com/levels.html

to understand how rocketry is being threatened by regulation by the Department of Justice, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATFE), see

http://www.space-rockets.com/congress

for current information on the fight to save rocketry, see

http://www.space-rockets.com/arsanews

[iz55]

The discovery channel has now posted the schedule for "Rocket Challenge", a documentary capturing the annual high power rocketry competition "LDRS"

the airtime schedule is available online at

http://dsc.discovery.com/schedule/series.jsp?series=24304&gid=11495&channel=DSC

or http://tinyurl.com/sabe

[RadioAstronomer]

We have been discussing this very thing at work. A few folks there are (or were) into high power rocketry.

[Maelstrom]

IT has quickly become illegal except for those with the patience and cash necessary to wade through the red tape. It is to the point that it is easier to make a career out of rocketry and so hobbyists like myself go away.

[enviros_kill]

Let's see now: NASA discriminates against white males, sucks up to the greenies and their lunacy and loses two space shuttles

http://www.machinedesign.com/ASP/viewSelectedArticle.asp?strArticleId=55962&strSite=MDSite&Screen=CURRENTISSUE

http://www.machinedesign.com/ASP/viewSelectedArticle.asp?strArticleId=56365&strSite=MDSite&Screen=CURRENTISSUE

and now anybody who wants to experiment with rockets is looked down upon by the jack-booted thugs/media/gummit school culture who are only happy if all men act like women.

Guess I'll be flying a Chinese rocket to Mars in 20 years.

[iz55]

the Rocket Challenge series is outSTANDING coverage of rocketry, which has been under attack by the DOJ/BAFTE. This coverage shows what a exciting hobby it is for people of all ages, and how it inspires creativity, technical prowess and craftsmanship. It’s also a lot of fun!

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 at http://dsc.discovery.com/schedule/series.jsp?series=24306&gid=11495 ]


- iz