High Power Research Magazine, Fall 1984

Front cover, sample page, and back cover of High Power Research Magazine, issue of fall 1984. High Power Research Magazine was printed in black and white (save for the coloured paper used for the cover pages), and it had a distinct underground fanzine feel. It was based in Cuba/OH, edited by Mike Nelson, and featured a number of individuals who were or became key figures of modern high power rocketry.

I received this particular issue as a gift from Vulcan Systems Inc., a composite motor manufacturer with whom I was corresponding at the time. For us living in Switzerland, any such publications were treasure throves of previously unknown and highly inspiring information on advanced rocketry.

This 24-page issue of High Power Research Magazine contained high power rocketry news, numerous intriguing ads by emerging rocketry companies, kit and motor reviews, coverage of a launch at Lucerne Dry Lake, further launch reports, reader's letters, and - of course - a detailed feature on Vulcan Systems Inc.

Of note, among many other things in the magazine, is a photo of a younger Gary Rosenfield of Aerotech, during the Lucerne Dry Lake launch (centre image, photo top left).

High Power Research Magazine covers and pages © by High Power Research Magazine, Cuba/OH, 1984.

Vehicle 39

The very first rocket ever featured in this blog, Vehicle 39 A Enigma, photographed on the occasion of a return to the location of its first flight in northeast Switzerland, on June 17, 1999, 13 years after the event.

Vehicle 39 was launched on an Aerotech E15-7W composite motor, from an Aerotech Mantis launch pad. The Mantis had originally been developed by Enertek, a company established in the late 1980s by Centuri's Lee Piester, together with Gary Rosenfield, Bill Stine, and Paul Hans. Unfortunately, Enertek failed to get off the ground, so to speak, and this truly versatile launch pad design (along with other items) later resurfaced a an Aerotech product. As with all of my launch pads, I added a slanted umbilical mast to my Mantis, in order to attach the ignition wires and thus reduce the weight which often threatens to pull the ignitor out of the motor.

Vehicle 39's flight was perfect, as was the deployment of the booster and payload section parachutes. The rocket carried two Estes Transroc II sonic beacons.

Photography by Erol Ünala.