Sat, Feb 22, 2003
3...2...1... We Have... A Security Problem.
Seems in the rush to propel The Homeland Secruity
Act from concept to reality, nobody realized it would literally
cause model rocket enthusiasts to fizzle on the pad.
Model rocketeers say the law means shipping companies like UPS
and FedEx have to stop all deliveries of model rockets. Otherwise,
the shipping companies would have to get explosives permits for
every single employee who comes in contact with a box of rocket
motors. Security at shipping terminals would reportedly have to be
beefed up as well. Our sources tell us the shippers believe it's
too expensive to be comply with the new laws. Instead, they say,
it's just simpler to stop shipping model rocket motors
altogether.
You Can't Fly 'Em If They Won't Ship 'Em
Most small model rocket motors (up to an "F" size motor) and all
larger sizes are shipped with UPS or FedEx. Since manufacturers and
distributors won't be able to ship motors to stores and customers,
the law has effectively clamped down model rocketry. What's a model
rocket enthusiast to do? Throw the darned thing downrange?
Enthusiasts say they're almost certain Congress
didn't intend to kill their hobby. They complain, however, that's
the net effect.
Next week, Senator Mike Enzi (R-WY) will introduce a bill that
would make "technical corrections" to the Homeland Security Act.
Specifically it would exempt model rocketry from being regulated by
the tough standards of the Safe Explosives Act.
A Bane To Budding Engineers?
Model rocketry hobbiests say their niche is behind some of the
greatest minds in science, starting with rocketing pioneer Robert
Goddard. What, asks one enthusiast, will be the future of NASA if
they can't find engineers?
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