The HabForum

Just curious if any of you have heard about the ongoing political battle being fought in the senate right now to keep model rockets legal. I was wondering because I've been thinking about how this will effect space camp... they would have to eliminate the rocketry class (or at least the hands on portion). No more launching crickets into low earth orbit

I don't think it was so much that they would be illegal, I thought the debate was restrictions on shipping such "explosives" and that the Homeland Security Act, et. al. were making life difficult for Estes and stores that carry their products because it's getting more difficult to ship the rocket motors.

...This poses a problem, but I'd imagine that as long as there is an Estes, Space Campers will build and fly model rockets...

I should choose my words more carefully

Actually, there will be nothing illegal about model rocket motors per se come May 24, however the restrictions will be far greater than Estes, Aerotech, or even Space Camp will be able to deal with. Anyone who handles a consumer (Estes) rocket motor will be required to have an ATF LEUP, which includes fingerprinting, photo ID, inspections every 3 years, etc. UPS has already stopped shipping Estes motors and FedEx soon will. 3 major railroads have also quit carrying them, as well as many trucking firms. The cost of shipping and handling the motors will kill the industry.

The problem is not with the HSA, but with the ATF for putting things on it's explosives list that should not be there, for instance, Ammonium perchlorate composite propellant, black powder, and nichrome wire. (the ATF is being sued over this right now).

The legislation by Mike Enzi (R-WY) will create an exemption from the Act for rocketry... we are all trying very hard to support this "technical corrections" bill. But if it does not pass, i can assure you that you will see model rockets dissappear from SC's curriculum.

Below is the text of Senator Enzi's (R-WY) "Dear Colleague" letter:

February 28, 2003

Dear Colleague:

I am writing to alert you to certain provisions within the Homeland Security Act that are adversely affecting hobby and consumer rocketry.

Through hobby rocketry, children and adults engage in rocket science and small businesses thrive while serving this loyal and diverse community. This educational hobby is being seriously threatened by the Homeland Security Act which I do not believe was Congress' intent when drafting and passing this important legislation.

Under the new law, the hobbyist will have to obtain Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) permits to purchase a consumer rocket motor and to transport it to the location where it will be flown. The ATF has classified rocket propellant, which is shipped with the motor, as an explosive. Even the simplest permit under the law will require the hobbyist to be subjected to a background check by the ATF. The law also requires all permit holders to keep records that can be inspected by ATF agents. Since these records are primarily kept in the permit holder's home, it subjects the hobbyist's home to possible ATF visits. These new restrictions will disengage Americans from the hobby of rocketry, possibly destroying many small businesses and educational hands-on rocketry programs.

I will soon be introducing legislation that provides a simple fix for this problem. My bill will not remove the rocket propellant from the ATF Explosives List. Instead it takes the same approach used by other hobby industries. For example, black powder is on the ATF Explosives List, but a person does not have to get an ATF permit if the black powder is used for antique firearms or devices. Under my legislation, rocketeers would be exempt from an ATF permit requirement when the chemicals/materials were used in consumer and hobby rocketry.

As an avid rocketeer myself, I can remember my first rocket launch - - standing in the middle of a field, hoping your creation would actually fly. The United States cannot afford to further diminish the hopes of young children, the dreams of future astronauts and the memories of generations through unintended regulation.

If you are interested in cosponsoring this important legislation, please contact Candice Cotton at 224-3424. Thank you for your immediate attention.

Sincerely,

Michael B. Enzi, United States Senator

Well although no model rockets at space camp would eliminate a cool activity it could be replaced. when i went in 98 to ASA i was suprised it ws not part of the program that year for ASA at all.

Very true, Jason, and though I don't particularly enjoy model rocketry, I still thinks it's important to keep around. Not to mention how the legislation will affect me, in terms of my experimental rocketry, placing restrictions on NiChrome, FFFF and APCP and such(all of which I have quantities of, and will have to discard by May 24).

The latest on the political front is that we are sending a copy of Homer Hickam's Rocket Boys to every U.S. Senator. Homer himself has signed each one personally. I hope some of them will read the book and grasp the levity of this situation.

I don't do as much model rocketry as i use to mainly because i just dont have time. But still i dont want to see the hobby die because of this act/

Hickam's book is great. I hope it does change some minds.

Well the book and movie were very inspirational i hope they will help out in the cause.

I think the movie was sooooo much better than the book.

Well Unfortunately i havent had the chance to read the book but i hear its wonderful. And i almsot always find the book better than the movies.

Funny... I thought the book was much better than the movie

Actually, I did think that the book did a more thorough job of presenting the way in which rocketry affected every aspect of these boys' lives. I hope at least a few of the Senators will read the book. As of right now, 9 U.S. senators are actively supporting Senator Enzi's exemption, 1 says he is leaning toward opposing the bill, and the rest are undecided. Maybe Rocket Boys will reach out to that majority as they decide what to do about this issue.

http://www.space.com/missionlaunches/ro ... 20325.html

I hope the amendment will get added to change the wording. At somepoint i'm sure ill read the book Rocket Boys just don't have much time to read right now.

I read it. It's good and better than the movie.

Well then the book must be really great because the movie certainly was.

I'm sorry, I meant the book was soooooo much better than the movie. It must've been one of those days...

Sometimes we all have days like that Benji.

Just don't send Homer's _Back to the Moon_ to the Senator as well, it was terrible!

This new issue is also worrying some of my HPR friends, too. It could turn out to be a difficult obstacle for all kinds of private rocket activities. I'll be sure to look into the efforts mentioned above that will remedy these potential consequences.

Wow a bad review of one of Hickman's books. Ussually i only see good ones but i cant give an informed opinion since i havent had the chance to read any of them.

I liked Back To The Moon.