[sci.astro] CALL FOR VOTES for the creation of "rec.models.rocket"

rjungcla@cbnewsd.ATT.COM (R. M. Jungclas) (10/16/89)

                        CALL FOR VOTES

                     For the creation of
               rec.models.rocket (unmoderated).


 This is the first call for votes for the creation of
 "rec.models.rockets" newsgroup.  This newsgroup will discuss
 the issues for MODEL ROCKETS and HIGH POWER ROCKETS as
 described in the proposal below.

 The voting period will be from midnight October 16th (CDT)
 until midnight November 15th (EST).  Only votes that arrive
 on the vote-taker's machine during this interval will be
 counted.

 To vote send email to "att!ihlpb!rjungcla" or
 "rjungcla@ihlpb.att.com", explicitly indicating your VOTE in
 the subject line.  I will attempt to individually
 acknowledge all votes and will post a "mass acknowledgement"
 after tallying the final vote.

 Remember ONLY votes MAILED to me will count and that votes
 MUST be explicit.


                  rec.models.rocket PROPOSAL

 It is proposed that a newsgroup "rec.models.rocket" be
 created for the discussion of any aspect relating to model
 rockets OR high power rockets. The purpose of the this
 newsgroup would be for exchange of information to anyone
 wanting TO BUILD, FLY OR USE model rockets or high power
 rockets. It is envisioned that most of the discussions
 within this newsgroup would be of a technical or legal
 nature unique to these "hobbies."

 The remainder of this proposal is broken into three parts:
 MODEL ROCKETRY, HIGH POWER ROCKETRY and AMATEUR ROCKETRY.

 MODEL ROCKETRY:  The term "model rocket" is defined based on
 non-metallic structural components, weight, propellant and
 total impulse restrictions, electrical ignition, recovery
 devices and FACTORY-MADE, solid propellant engines. This
 form of rocketry use the well-known "Safety Code" which
 permits their LEGAL use in all the states although some
 forms of these rockets currently require FAA notification.
 (The FAA is the only regulatory yet to approved the new
 safety code that went into effect on January 1st, 1987.) The
 National Association of Rocketry (NAR) is  national
 "consumer" organization or this hobby in the United States.
 Model rocketry is also available in Canada, Great Britain,
 the Soviet Union and other countries.

 Model rockets have been around for 31 years. Many of you may
 be aware of Estes and MRC model rockets currently available
 in most hobby and toy stores or of manufacturers that are
 now out of business:  Centuri, Cox, MPC, etc..

 HIGH POWER ROCKETRY:  The term "High Power rocket" refers to
 any rocket using model rocket technology (as described
 above) except without the weight, propellant and total
 impulse restrictions of model rocketry.  High power rockets
 have been around for 10 years, but only popular within the
 past few years. All forms of high power rocketry require
 FAA notification and waivers.  This is something the the
 high power enthusiast would like to change. Tripoli is the
 national association for high power rockets.

 Manufacturers of High Power kits/engines include Lots of
 Crafts/Precision, North Coast Rocketry, U.S. Rockets,
 AeroTech and Vulcan.

 The first commercial launch vehicle launched from Cape
 Canaveral was the LOFT-1. This was a "high power rocket" as
 defined above. In addition, off-the-shelf video recorders
 and custom built video cameras/transmitters have been
 successfully flown. One such flight resulted in a video
 transmission that was broadcast on live television.
 Significant payloads are realizable to the average person.

 AMATEUR ROCKETRY The term "amateur rocketry" refers to all
 other non-professional rocket activities.  Included in the
 last class, are "basement bombers," any attempts to make
 homemade engines, and anything using metallic structural
 parts. These activities are ILLEGAL without the proper
 formalities. Although this newsgroup WILL NOT ADVOCATE
 "amateur rocketry," technical discussion on these activities
 will be permitted.  For example, discussion on how engines
 are made would be permitted, but COOKBOOK procedures for
 making them would not.