AARG Meeting

January 20, 2005

Meeting started at 7:15pm

First topic was elections. There was only one candidate for all offices other than NAR Senior Advisor. James Duffy and Alex Mericas spoke for each other and then both agreed to a random selection by coin toss. Alex was elected.

Full election results are:

  • President: Jeff Short
  • Vice President: Stu Barrett
  • Secretary: Debbie Randolph
  • Treasurer: Lou Catozzi
  • TRA Prefect: Rick VanVoorhis
  • NAR Senior Advisor: Alex Mericas
  • NAR Junior Advisor: Molly Randolph

David Bellhorn offered to be Contest Director for this year. This started a conversation about contests for the upcoming year. David is going to work on a few options and report back about the possibilities for Huevos Launcheros. Some interest was expressed in the Texas State Championship. People are requested to post any contest related issues to the rocketry-austin yahoo group or email David directly (his email is on the aarg.org web site).

A short discussion was had on recent BATFE and other regulatory related issues.

Mark Goll from Texas Space Lines Incorporated made a presentation on his ideas for non-governmental orbital insertions. This would be done using the South Texas Space Port facility. He also talked about ideas for getting an object to the moon for the purpose of land claims. He is looking for partners in his project especially with respect to solid rocket motors.

Some changes to the AARG launches have been proposed. Dan Miner would like to see twice monthly launches with the second launch to be a notice launch only and would not have the club equipment. The main reason for this is competition practice. Our normal monthly launches will also no longer be cancelled if modroc can still fly. We will give notice on Thursday night if there is any danger of a cancellation for HPR or modroc. This information will then be updated up to and including Saturday morning as required.

Jeff Short made a short statement on his goals for the year. This year he wants to continue improving participation with all aspects of club activities. He also wants to pursue ways to knock down the divisions between modroc and HPR inside AARG.

Meeting adjourned at 8:25pm.

by Jeff Short for

Deborah Randolph
Secretary