2003 News Archive

Posted 12/18/03

Aerotech files for chapter 11 bankruptcy

Full story at ROL

Posted 12/15/03

What's Up Hobbies will be at the Dec. 20th launch in addition to Just Rockets.

Posted 12/5/03

Just Rockets will attend the Dec. 20th launch

I have heard from Scott Ulrey at Just Rockets in Las Vegas and he will be attending our December launch.

Posted 12/1/03

November 2003 launch report

The November launch report is now available.

I also updated the launch statistics through the October launch.

Posted 10/27/03

October 2003 launch report

The October launch report is now available. Also the launch reports from June through September were added.

I also updated the launch statistics through the October launch.

Posted 10/16/03

Posted the September/October 2003 SARA News

The September/October SARA News is now on the website.

Updated newsletter archives

The newsletter archives have been updated through October 2003.

Posted 7/31/03

Posted the July 2003 SARA News

The July SARA News is now on the website.

Updated newsletter archives

The newsletter archives have been updated through July 2003.

Posted 6/20/03

Posted the June 2003 SARA News

The June SARA News is now on the website.

Updated newsletter archives

The newsletter archives have been updated through May 2003.

Posted 6/9/03

May 2003 launch report

The May launch report is now available

I also updated the launch statistics through the April launch.

Posted 5/19/03

Posted the May 2003 SARA News

The May SARA News is now on the website.

Updated newsletter archives

The newsletter archives have been updated through April 2003.

Posted 4/17/03

Posted the April 2003 SARA News

The April SARA News is now on the website.

Posted 4/28/03

April 2003 launch report

The April launch report is now available

I also updated the launch statistics through the April launch.

Updated member website links

I updated the member website links to include Kevin Houser's site.

Posted 4/17/03

Posted the April 2003 SARA News

The April SARA News is now on the website.

Posted 4/9/03

March 2003 launch report

The March launch report is now available

I also updated the launch statistics through the March launch.

Archived News

The news from November and December was archived.

Posted 3/25/03

Launch times have changed

Launch times have changed for the April launch. Launches are now on the warm weather schedule and will now start at 8AM and end at 12PM.

Posted 3/10/03

February 2003 launch report

The February launch report is now available

I also updated the launch statistics through the February launch.

Posted 2/10/03

January 2003 launch report

The January launch report is now available

I also updated the launch statistics through the January launch.

Archived the 2002 launch reports

All of the 2002 launch reports were archived. Summaries and graphs for the year are here.

Free model of Columbia space shuttle

"I thought that you could pass this on to the members since a lot of them might like to have this one. It is a museum quality, paper model of the Columbia, complete with a special memorial base to mount it on, all for free. The URL is http://www.delta7studios.com."

Posted 1/28/03

Posted the January 2003 SARA News

The January SARA News is now on the website.

BATF shuts down in-state purchase of rocket motors

Up to now an in-state purchase of explosives has been defined as meaning that a resident of a state could purchase regulated explosives from an explosives dealer licensed in the same state, or licensed in a neighboring state that has a cooperative agreement with the state of residence that allowed the sale to be considered as in-state.

A LEUP (Low Explosives User Permit) has always been a requirement to purchase regulated rocket motors outside of a state of residence, to transport regulated motors, or to store regulated rocket motors. A LEUP has not been required for in-state purchase up to this point as long as there was no transport or storage. As of May 24, 2003 you will no longer be able to purchase regulated rocket motors without a LEUP. An in-state purchase will not be treated any differently than an out of state purchase.

Previously a LEUP was only useful to most high power rocketeers if they wished to store or transport regulated rocket motors. If a rocketeer took delivery of the regulated rocket motor and used it at the site of delivery on the same day, nothing was required other than the proper certification to fly the motor from NAR or Tripoli. Beginning May 24 this will no longer be allowed. Anyone who wishes to fly a rocket using a regulated motor will have to possess a LEUP.

On the bright side, if there is one, the BATF says that you may now be allowed to get a limited LEUP (not to be confused with the current limited LEUP which allows one time use) if you do not require storage. This is good news because most people cannot meet the requirements for storage. You must not only comply with BATF storage requirements, but also be in compliance with local ordinances in your area which are usually more stringent. They will be posting a new application form on their website around February 10th that will allow for request of this limited LEUP.

On the down side, the applicant will be subject to fingerprinting and all the other requirements of obtaining a LEUP. One thing I will be following closely is whether or not the applicant is consenting to inspections by the BATF at any point in time the BATF wishes to do so. With a normal LEUP the applicant is required to agree to this, but if there is no storage requirement I can't see why they should want to inspect the applicants residence.

Posted 1/21/03

Waiver has been received for the January launch

We now officially have a waiver for the January launch. Since the date of the launch was changed from the 19th we were not sure we would receive the waiver for the new date. See previous postings for more info.

Posted Launch Summary for 2002

Jerry King has written a summary of the SARA launches for 2002.

Archived News

The news from June, July, August, September and October was archived.

Posted 1/8/03

December 2002 launch report

The December launch report is now available

I also updated the launch statistics through the December launch. We launched 260 more rockets in 2002 than in 2001 even with the severe motor shortages. A total of 894 motors were were used in 859 flights in 2002.

Posted 1/7/03

January launch will most likely now have a waiver

The FAA has been contacted about changing the waiver date and it appears that even with the short notice they will be able to get us the waiver on time. It is now on its way via US mail and should get here in time for the launch.

Sara's Latest News

updated 1/24/08

Desert Heat 2008

Next Launch
July 20

2008 Launch Schedule