SpudFiles

D_Hall wrote: It does offend me that they're charging so much for the new version, but I suppose I should have seen that coming since they WANTED to charge that much for the original Splash (but I vetoed that on principal).

half the price i might understand, but 1 grand is just outragious, IMO

and just as a side question, is your degree in aerospace engineering?

and a second side question, do u have a uber accurate version of GGDT and HDGT for your work that your not allowed to release to us?

sandman wrote:

D_Hall wrote: It does offend me that they're charging so much for the new version, but I suppose I should have seen that coming since they WANTED to charge that much for the original Splash (but I vetoed that on principal).

half the price i might understand, but 1 grand is just outragious, IMO

To be fair, the competition charges $12,000 (last time I checked and that was 10 years ago).

and just as a side question, is your degree in aerospace engineering?

Yes and no. It says "Mechanical Engineering" on it, but I fullfilled the requirements for both ME and AE but didn't have enough total credits for a double major (which would largely be pointless given how similar the two degrees are to start with).

and a second side question, do u have a uber accurate version of GGDT and HDGT for your work that your not allowed to release to us?

Nope. I do have access to some other software tools that ARE more accurate, but I often find them to be more PITA than they're worth. I mean, GGDT tends to be accurate within 5%. Some other tool may be good to 1%, but if it's 10X as hard to use... Why bother? 5% is close enough for design purposes and one can always calibrate post-construction.

D_Hall wrote: To be fair, the competition charges $12,000 (last time I checked and that was 10 years ago).

, and to think we WERE going to offer a 3D Spudgun simulation software for free, pfft


and sry for all these side questions, but do you actually have rocksim?, also do you have your high power rocketry license, or are missiles/dockets just your day job and not a hobby?

high power rocketry license

What exactly is this "high power rocketry license"? It's probably a stupid question, but it seems like it would be difficult to prevent people from building whatever type of rocket they damn well please. Unless they're launching something like an orbital rocket, or doing something stupid, it wouldn't be very noticeable anyway.

Amazing how these empty threats of legal repercussions stop some people from pursuing their hobbies...

it just lets you buy commercially made rocket engines exceeding like 320 (this number might be wrong) Newtons of thrust

sandman wrote:and sry for all these side questions, but do you actually have rocksim?,

I have an old version of it. When I wrote Splash, Apogee provided me with complimentry copies of all the different software packages they sold so that I could (hopefully) integrate my package with the other packages. I looked at Rocksim, saw it's utility for the HPR guys, but had no real use for it myself.

also do you have your high power rocketry license, or are missiles/dockets just your day job and not a hobby?

HPR would never be a hobby of mine. No offense, but it's not intellectually challenging enough. Rather, I'm one of those guys who enjoys designing the motors (not merely airframes). Unfortunately, THAT hobby is insanely expensive if you want to do it right. I tried to get into it years ago but when I realized how much money it required I dropped out as I was too poor at the time. Thus, it is merely my day job.

I'm considering getting back into it though. My house is almost paid off and I should be able to buy a lathe and such without crying once that is done....

DYI wrote:

high power rocketry license

What exactly is this "high power rocketry license"?

It's called a "Low Explosive User Permit (LEUP)."

It's probably a stupid question, but it seems like it would be difficult to prevent people from building whatever type of rocket they damn well please.

Well, that's true... But if you get caught doing that sans license, the ATF will have you up on about a dozen different felony charges that you aren't likely to beat. Want to stay out of prison? Best to get that license.

Amazing how these empty threats of legal repercussions stop some people from pursuing their hobbies...

Uh... That one's not empty. In the post 9/11 world the ATF has made life a living hell for more than one rocketry enthusiast. The legal issues are very real.

Well, that's true... But if you get caught doing that sans license, the ATF will have you up on about a dozen different felony charges that you aren't likely to beat. Want to stay out of prison? Best to get that license.

Too bad its 18+ , but i guess i can wait a little more than a year

see im on the opposite end of designing, i like thinking about how i can get the most out of what i have got (all this talk of rockets makes me want to finish mine )

So where is the line drawn between a low powered rocket and a high powered rocket?

I don't actually live in the States, I was just wondering. There's probably something similar in Canada, but I live too far away from the areas of strict enforcement to really care.

Like many things, I believe that getting the license to do it can be a lot more trouble (and in some cases, more risky) than just making sure you don't get caught. If I lived in the US, where you can easily be thrown in prison for what is essentially the rest of your life for doing something completely harmless to anyone but yourself, my views would probably be different.

It sometimes seems as though honest hobbyists in the States get in more trouble than serial rapists do in Canada. Not very good either way, but I'm glad to be on the side of it that I am. Whatever happened to "live and let live"...

The boundary of low power to high power is with the "J" type rocket which requires a license sponsored by the FAA to fire in the continental US. class J or larger are extremely powerful and either and L or M can put a small rocket into sub orbit, so the restriction is due to the risk of horizontal launching which obviously could cause some damage...

no its "H" not "J" , but if i remember right certification is:
Level 1: H-J
Level 2: K-M
Level 3: N-P

I had typed that first, but wasnt sure, its been 6 years since I messed with model rocketry... I just threw that out there cause I knew it was close... thanks for putting better info out there.

when your in the navy you have better toys to play with, i understand

no its "H" not "J" , but if i remember right certification is:
Level 1: H-J
Level 2: K-M
Level 3: N-P

That really doesn't help very much. I was wondering more in terms of thrust.

a G is 160 Newtons i think (i shall check), and every letter doubles

Edit: i r right, it is 160