With my level-3 certification attempt looming, one detail of the launch (the rod or rail) had not been finalized. When I became aware of the new Xtreme Rail by Payload Specilities, the decision to purchase the heavy duty system was an easy one. Not only would I be able to use the rail system for a rocket considerabily larger than my projected 55 pound project, I would be able to use a single six foot section of the rail, and launch any of my small and medium sized rockets.

THE STORY OF TURBOPUMP ROCKET DEVELOPMENT is an interesting one of trial and error. Many sidelines were explored before the objectives of light weight and high performance were finally attained with the main engines for the Shuttle. Russian rocket development followed a somewhat similar path, and the end result was very similar: a topping cycle with high combustion chamber pressures.

Level 3 projects pose a multitude of challenges. The airframe, motor and retention, shock cords and related hardware, CP and CG, electronics, and at the top of the list, the parachutes. In the early stages of my planning, I ordered a large surplus fifteen-foot diameter parachute, one of those white ones. I pulled the parachute out of the included deployment bag, and knew right away that I would not be using it. I felt like a magician pulling something out of my sleeve, it just would not stop coming. There were about two dozen very long shroud lines just waiting to tangle.

FOR THOSE OF YOU who do not know me, here is a brief introduction. My name is Deidre and I am married to Kurt Kesler. Some of you may know him from the UseNET News group rec.models.rockets. I do not, as yet, build or fly my own rockets. Instead, I am a "paint and finish" consultant of sorts. But, who can tell? I may eventually surprise a whole lot of folks and show up at a future TARA launch with my very own rocket . . . maybe.

OF LATE I HAVE BEEN PONDERING the state of our art: the building of sport rockets. The future of the hobby is on our minds a lot, what with the regulatory battles and the NARAM waiver being denied. This opinion is not about that, but concerns something we all hold much closer to our hearts, namely, how we construct our rockets.

I HAVE READ WITH GREAT INTEREST the recent article by Tim Van Milligan and the resulting desire to form a new rocket motor manufacturing consortium. There are lots of great points and opinions regarding this subject posted here. Many of these postings indicate that most folks don't really understand what is involved to manufacture model rocket motors legally and safely.

The other day, I forwarded Darrell some information about Pr'fessor Terry McCreary's recently self-published book "Experimental Composite Propellant." To be honest, I thought I had talked about the book enough in the forums, etc., but that it might be of value posting the information about procurement and a description where everyone could see it for awhile. Well, I guess Darrell wasn't satisfied with that, so he asked me to do a critical review of the book as a service to fellow "Research" rocketeers selecting a good "Introduction to" experimental rocketry book. As always... I've never been shy or short of words, so I'm happy to oblige as follows.

The Pratt SureFire 12 is a relay-based launch controller. The SureFire 12 has been recently replaced by a new version, the Sure Fire II. However, most characteristics of the new system are the same as the original system. The reviewed SureFire 12 has been used for over a year, and has been used to ignite motors from Micro-Maxx to K700.