Altus Metrum rolls out 2nd generation ground software

BLACK FOREST, Colorado USA — Altus Metrum is pleased to announce general availability of our second generation ground software for use with TeleMetrum. This new software release works identically on Windows, Mac, and Linux systems. In addition, many of the functions that were only available through command line utilities in the first-generation, Linux-only software are now implemented using menus in the graphical user interface, significantly simplifying use of TeleMetrum by a broader range of users! TeleMetrum is the world's first fully-integrated dual-deploy altimeter with GPS and radio telemetry link for use in mid and high power rockets. The complete system fits on one circuit board smaller than many ejection-only altimeters, and is ready to fly in 29mm and larger airframes. TeleMetrum boards have been used for successful L1, L2, and L3 certs, and are well suited for everything from sport flying to extreme performance.

MARSA introduces first products in new MARSA-RF line

FAIRPORT, New York USA — The engineers at MARSA are proud to introduce the first products in the new MARSA-RF line of hobby rocketry products to be introduced over the next few months. The standalone MARSA GPS-1 and MARSA Telemetry Modem brings together benchmark performance, features and value. It bundles the features rocketeers need the most in a GPS product: high RF power, license-free, integrated power, long battery life and ease of use. The MARSA GPS-1 is a powerful, license-free, independent GPS transmitter. It has been thoroughly tested in real rocket flights over the last year including flights at Red Glare and NYPOWER 15. The MARSA GPS-1 can also be used independently of a MARSA4 altimeter.

SWT brings Electric Slide to model, high power rocketry

BELMONT, Massachusetts USA — Back in the early 90's, the Electric Slide was made popular by choreographer Ric Silver, who claims to have invented the dance as well as The Robot and breakdancing. About the same time Silver was breaking new ground on dance floors nationally, Arnold Roquerre of Space Warp Technology was breaking new ground in innovative model and high power rocket launching systems, in this case, a magnetic launching system. What made Roquerre's magnetic launching system so unique was that it used magnetic slides. This totally new concept for launching model and high power rockets had never been done by anyone, not even a government space agency, until 1997.

International Rocket Week 2010 continues until Monday

LARGS, Scotland UK — Rocketeers from around the world were taken by surprise when a golden orb appeared above the skies of the International Rocketry Week 2010 event, headquartered at South Whittlieburn Farm, in the beautiful setting of Brisbane Glen, north of the town of Largs, in Scotland. With the rest of the United Kingdom soaked in persistent rain, International Rocket Week once again showed why it holds a unique place in European rocketry. Mid-way through the annual event, Thursday proved to be one of the best flying days in recent years. Near perfect flying conditions allowed fliers to show off their rockets to the waiting press.

World's first amateur rocket built for manned space flight

BORNHOLM, Denmark EUR — A group of Danish amateur rocketry enthusiasts is working to make Denmark the fourth nation in the world capable of launching humans into space through a non-profit organization called Copenhagen Suborbitals. The organization was founded in May of 2008 by Kristian von Bengtson and Peter Madsen, who both work full time on the design and construction of the launch vehicle and spacecraft. At a press conference held last Friday in an exhibition hall at the Tycho Brahe Planetarium in Copenhagen, the pair announced the upcoming launch window for testing of the launch vehicle, where they would conduct a test flight sometime between August 30th and September 17th.

ROC member Andrew Kelly Wieting dies at the age of 19

MOORPARK, California USA — On August 21, 2010 we lost a very special young man. Andrew Kelly Wieting was 19 years old when he died in Moorpark, California. He was a man of many talents and great intelligence, and he was treasured as a son, a brother, a grandson, a cousin, a nephew and a friend. He was born in Munich, Germany on January 6, 1991 and he lived in Simi Valley, and Camarillo, CA from the age of 2 until the age of 12 when he moved to Charlotte, N.C. He attended Phillip O. Berry High School Technical Academy until his sophomore year, and then went on to graduate from Providence High School in the top 10 of his class in 2009. Andrew moved to California after graduating from high school to attend California State University Northridge where he was majoring in Chemistry and Physics, and working on a project about Rapid Sequencing of Individual DNA Molecules in Graphene Nanogaps at The Postma Lab at CSUN.