LAS VEGAS, Nevada USA — In an attempt to go boldly where no amateur rocket has gone before, John Pretto, co-founder of Las Vegas-based helloNetwork, will launch a live man-made rocket equipped with a web camera for a live, but brief, online transmission March 17, during Springfest 2001 at El Dorado Dry Bed.

With a Pixera( desktop video camera strapped inside the nosecone section, Pretto expects to capture every moment live online as the rocket potentially soars 6,000 feet above.

“Part of the frustration with launching rockets is not being able to see the rocket beyond a point,” Pretto said. “I hope now I can get a glimpse of its flight path while recording it all live.”

Hoping this will help earn his stripes in amateur rocketry and gain Tripoli Level III Certification, Pretto will host a simultaneous live feed aiming at the rocket upon its ascent and descent.

The web camera, which is the size of an average pinky finger, will transmit a video feed from the rocket to a receiver down below then be fed into a PC for broadcast on the Internet.

To log on to the web cast launch, or learn more, visit http://www.vidroc.com.