I am pleased to announce the Certification of four new reloads from Aerotech, tested on 14 April 2012.  All four motors are spark producers with one Metalstorm and three Dark Matter formulations. 

M1305M-PS Metalstorm is a 34% M class reload also for the 98-7680 RMS case. This is a standard Bates three grain motor, weighing 7098 Grams, with 4080 grams of Propellant.  This reload burns for 4.8 seconds, has 6891 NS of Impulse, 2098 Newtons Max and an average output of 1406 Newtons.  The curve is a standard Bates like square wave curve, mostly burning at 375 pounds flat but with a regressive line after 2.5 seconds to 200 lbs. at burnout.

All of the listed Dark Matter motors are considered part of the Dan Michael’s Signature line.

M1075DM-PS Dark Matter is a 9% M class reload for the 98-7680 RMS case. This is a standard Bates three grain motor, weighing 6971 Grams, with 3846 grams of Propellant.  This reload burns for 5.2 seconds, has 5571.33 NS of Impulse, 1330.4 Newtons Max and an average output of 1070 Newtons.  The curve is a standard Bates like square wave curve with a full 250 pounds of thrust at ignition for most of 5 seconds.

The next two motors are for the 75-5120 case and are of similar design with slightly different output.

The L1040DM-PS is a 47% L motor.  This is a standard Bates four grain motor, weighing 4717 Grams, with 2602 grams of Propellant.  This reload burns for 3.79 seconds, has 3768.9 NS of Impulse, 1255.5 Newtons Max and an average output of 992 Newtons.  The curve is a slightly ‘muffin top’ symmetrical square wave curve with a 225 pounds of thrust at beginning and end (3.4 seconds) with a 275 pound peak.  The motor finishes with a straight line drop to zero at the 3.79 second point

The L900DM-PS is also a 47% L motor. This is a standard Bates four grain motor, weighing 4740 Grams, with 2594 grams of Propellant.  This reload burns for 4.12 seconds, has 3786.5 NS of Impulse, 1089.3 Newtons Max and an average output of 918.9 Newtons.  The curve is quite a bit different than the L1040DM as it is a progressive square wave curve with a 200 pounds of thrust at beginning and 250 pounds at the 3.5 second point.  The motor finishes with a straight line drop to zero at the 4.12 second point.

Congrats to Aerotech for an excellent set of motors.

H. Paul Holmes
Chairman, Tripoli Motor Testing

San Jose, CA - Rouse-Tech is pleased to announce the availability of our new Monster Motors 38mm, 54mm and 75mm tailcone rear closures. The new closures are 100% compatible with all AeroTech-compatible hardware.

"Our customers have been asking for hardware to help them maximize altitude, so we have designed these to minimize base drag," said Tom Rouse. Tom added, "Base drag often amounts to ten percent of the total drag on a rocket, so these can make a reasl difference in high-performance flights."

Like all Rouse-Tech products, the new closures feature hard anodizing, meaning a quality product that will last.

Contact your favorite Rouse-Tech dealer to order your tailcone closures today.

• A new baro sensor that has higher resolution and is more durable, but still has excellent accuracy over a wide range of temperatures, and still operates over 100,000 feet.
• Two of the 4 deployment channels now feature super-low resistance FETs that can handle over 20 Amps!
• Data download speed has been increased by 300%-400%.
• Low-voltage check prevents the normal 4 continuity beeps if the battery voltage is below 3.85 V.

In the first week of May 2012 the Dutch Rocket Boys aim to launch an Amateur Rocket named EDAN I in the Scottish Highlands during a Launch Campaign organized by the Scottish Rocketry Organizations; AspireSpace, SARA (Scottish Aeronautics & Rocketry Association) and UKRA (United Kingdom Rocketry Organization), the launch was originally conceived by Rick Newlands of AspireSpace.

The Dutch Rocket Boys aim to break the European Amateur Rocket High Altitude Record with a flight of the EDAN I two stage rocket that is powered by CTI Pro98 motors. Aim is to set the altitude record close to 70.000 feet.

As this is a closed launch for safety reasons with a maximum amount of participants on a closed Launch Site under a private booking arrangement, the preparation and launch can be followed on;

WEB;               http://www.dutchrocketboys.nl/

Facebook;        REBEL Space BV

Twitter;           Frank De Brouwer@REBELSpaceBV

After the Flight we will also upload some videos to YouTube.

Second Launch of the EDAN I is planned for BALLS 2012 in the USA in September 2012. Aim is to set the European Amateur High Altitude Record above 100.000 feet (30 km), and also to participate in the Carmack prize that has been put up for the first flight above 100.000 feet of an Amateur rocket.

After the EDAN I project the EDAN II will be developed in 2012 for a launch in 2013 or 2014 to an altitude of above 100 kilometer.

The Dutch Rocket Boys design, built and fly these rockets with support from REBEL Space.

If you want to support or sponsor the Dutch Rocket Boys in these projects you can contact us at drb@dutchrocketboys.nl or send a donation via paypal to drb@dutchrocketboys.nl

All media requests must be directed exclusively thru the launch organizers John Bonsor and Rick Newlands.

During the launch in the Scottish Highlands there will be also 4 other teams launching several rockets;

UKRA   - Experimental Rocket

UKRA - Level 3 Hybrid Rocket

Cambridge University UK - 3 Stage Rocket

Cranfield University – Level 1 / Level 2 Rockets

 On Saturday April 14, 2012, a large EF3 tornado swept through south central Kansas leaving in its wake a great deal of destruction of property. While KLOUDBusters was fortunate that the storm narrowly missed the Rocket Pasture, but some families in the Argonia community were not as lucky. Several, including one of our nearby farmers, experienced major property loss including their homes, livestock, farm buildings and equipment. Thankfully, no people were seriously injured.

 In the rural Midwestern way, the Argonia community has banded together and are helping the victims gather their belongings that were strewn across a large area. KLOUDBusters is taking the initiative to allow the rocketry community to come together to assist Argonia storm victims financially. This catastrophe strikes close to home as if our own families have been affected. It is our hope that we can help them is some small way to recover from their losses.

 A PayPal account has been established that folks can use to donate to the cause, the address is argoniarelief@kloudbusters.org. All money collected via this account will be used to directly benefit storm victims in the Argonia community. Alternatively, donation checks may be sent to KLOUDBusters Argonia Relief, c/o Science Ed. Center, 2730 Boulevard Plaza, Wichita, KS 67211-3812.