New Podcast - The Model Rocket Show!

I'll be doing a new podcast, called The Model Rocket Show. It should be debuting the weekend of March 28. It's from LittleBeth Media, and is a spinoff of The Rocketry Show podcast.

The Rocketry Show tends to deal mainly with high power rocketry and really advanced stuff. But there's a need for people whose main interest in rocketry is in low power rocketry, whether they are beginners or longtime rocketeers who prefer model rocketry. And then there are those rocketeers who enjoy both sides of the hobby, and would like to hear more episodes focused on the model rocket side of things.

It can be difficult to address both ends of the hobby with one show. Some advanced rocketeers are no longer interested in model rockets, and some beginners may have a hard time following some of the more advanced episodes.

Look for all kinds of stuff on the new show - build techniques, interviews with people in the model rocket industry, TARC, listener questions, and maybe some first steps toward high power certification - like "what's a good first kit" type stuff.

So, whether you're a Rocket N00b or a longtime modeler, I hope you'll check out the new podcast when it comes out. You can hear the trailer by clicking here.

Follow me on Twitter.

Like my Facebook page for blog updates and extra stuff.

Have a question you'd like to see addressed on this blog? Email me at iamtherocketn00b@gmail.com. 

Update from the National Association of Rocketry re: COVID-19

Well, two posts in one day. A lot of stuff happening these days.

From the Facebook group of the National Association of Rocketry:

March 17: Update on COVID-19 for National Association of Rocketry

Recently, the recommendations from the White House and CDC on minimizing the risk and spread of COVID-19 have been updated to ask that all “Avoid social gatherings in groups of 10 people.” (Reference)

This recommendation is pretty clear and should be followed by all to help slow down and stop this rapidly growing health concern.

Based on the recommendation of the President and CDC, as the President of the NAR Board, I am instituting the following policy to take effect immediately and be in effect for a minimum of 15 days (March 17 -April 1, 2020):

1. All NAR Sections shall postpone or cancel Section launches, meetings, and other group activities during this period.

. There should be no organized launches, meetings, and other group activities of 10 or more persons during this period.

I will send an update on the policy on or before April 1.

I ask that all members please adhere to the intent and spirit of this policy and help to protect all who would be attending a launch from the possible infection of this virus. TARC launches have been suspended indefinitely by AIA and the NAR, so there will not be any TARC teams needing our help with qualification flights. I understand this is a potential hardship for some, but the desire to fly rockets in large groups does not supersede the potential risk of infecting someone attending a NAR launch.

Thank you and please be safe!

John N. Hochheimer
President National Association of Rocketry

These are indeed interesting times.

Follow me on Twitter.

Like my Facebook page for blog updates and extra stuff.

Have a question you'd like to see addressed on this blog? Email me at iamtherocketn00b@gmail.com. 

TARC Suspended Due to COVID-19

From an email issued by The American Rocketry Challenge, or TARC:

Hi Rocketeers, 

As always, one of our priorities is to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our entire community. Therefore, we ask that you follow all guidance you are receiving from your schools, as well as state and local health departments, on COVID-19. 

We are closely monitoring the situation with school closures across the country, as school groups compose a great number of our teams. Due to the growing number of extended closures, all qualification flight submissions are suspended effective immediately. At this time, we ask that you do not submit any additional qualification flight scores and cancel all scheduled launches. 

We are still determining when and in what form the National Finals may take place. We will keep you updated in the coming days regarding resumption of launches/submission of qualification flights. 

Additionally, we are also indefinitely extending the submission deadlines for the Engineering Notebook and Marketing Competitions. Please follow the instructions on the competition pages on our website to learn how to submit. 

Please let our team know if you have any questions in the meantime. 

Best, 

Jeremy Davis 

Program Manager, The American Rocketry Challenge

Follow me on Twitter.

Like my Facebook page for blog updates and extra stuff.

Have a question you'd like to see addressed on this blog? Email me at iamtherocketn00b@gmail.com.