Broadcast 3452 Mark Canepa

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Guest:  Mark Canepa;  Topics, model and high-powered rocketry plus Mark's new book, "Large and Dangerous Rocket Ships: The History of High-Power Rocketry's Ascent to the Edges of Outer Space." 

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We welcomed back to the program author Mark Canepa to discuss high-power rocketry, model rocketry and his new book, "Large and Dangerous Rocket Ships: The History of High-Power Rocketry's Ascent to the Edges of Outer Space."  This was a one segment 76 minute  detailed discussion about model rocketry, specifically high-power rocketry using Mark's new book as our reference point for the discussion.  We started off with my asking about hobby rocketry going to space and breaking altitude records, referencing my earlier Space Show program with Ky Michaelson.  Ky was the first to get to space in the hobby rocketry field. His programs are available through The Space Show archives.  As you will hear later, while one or two others have made it to space, many are setting new altitude records all the time, well beyond 100,000 feet.

Early in the discussion, I asked Mark about the biggest rocket he discussed. He mentioned the copy of the Saturn 5 by Steve Eves in April 2009.  Steve was a guest on TSS and his program is available on our archives.  His rocket was a 1/10th scale of the actual Saturn 5.  Don't miss what he said when I asked for the "baddest rocket he had in the book or knew about. 

Mark noted that a big change in the sport came about with reloadable rocket motors in the 1990's and an increase in rocket motor size.  Not the various sizes of motors he described and what is available today compared to earlier times.  We received several listener emails asking about the type of background needed to get into the sport and qualifications, if any.  Note what our guest said as rocketry invites all and they have teaching and certification classes through the various rocket clubs and national organizations. 

Another question that came up was fuel.  One listener wanted to know about the use of liquid fuel rather than solid fuel.  Our guest said there was some liquid fuel rocketry but the organizations and clubs specify solid fuel for the most part.  Be sure to hear all of what he said about this topic. 

Our guest went on to discuss Tripoli and NAR, the two national hobby rocket associations, during the program, plus local clubs and launch sites.  He mentioned Spaceport America, also Black Rock in Nevada and several other local launch sites.  He told listeners how to find a site near them and encouraged everyone to go to a launch sometime.  He then talked about the LDRS even, i.e. Large and Dangerous Rocket Ships events.  Don't miss this discussion.  Also discussed were rocket altitudes being reached by more and more high-power rocketry participants.  It seems altitude records are being challenged all the time. In addition, we talked about the USC team that used Spaceport America and made it to space!

Marshall called to talk about Robert Goddard.  Marshall and our guest mentioned the altitude Goddard got to but it was not until Ft. Worth John called later than we honed in on the Goddard altitude.  Marshall mentioned the liquid fuel used by Goddard and his rocketry experimentation.

Rick emailed in GPS comments and information, our guest mentioned altimeters and their limitation and the theodolite which is detailed in his book.  Another topic that got our attention included rocket explosions.  Don't miss Mark's comments on this subject.  Mark described and informed us about basement bombers, another topic in his book covering multiple chapters.  If you are not familiar with this term, be sure to hear what Mark said. It was most interesting. 

As we neared the end of our discussion, Mark was asked if there was international interest and participation in high-power and hobby rocketry. The short answer was yes.  Mark took us country by country into the field so be sure to listen to what he said about it in most of the key countries we discuss with space all the time.  As we were about to end, Mark was asked about rocket motor pricing and where you buy them.  Mark had much to say on this topic.  If you go to a launch event, you will likely see and have multiple opportunities to buy various rocket motors.

Please post your comments and questions for Mark on our blog page. Mark can be contacted through me or the website for his book, www.hpr2space.com.  You can buy an autographed copy if his book through the website.

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Mark's new book, "Large and Dangerous Rocket Ships"

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26 Jan 2020 Mark Canepa
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