RCS News Archive

8/24/05
Remembering Ray Goodson: 1952-2005
F. R. “Ray” Goodson of San Jose, CA , son of James and Nellie Goodson, passed away on Wednesday, August 24, 2005. He was 52.

Ray was a propellant chemist for Pratt & Whitney’s solid rocket propulsion division (formerly known as the Chemical Systems Division of United Technologies Corp.) from the mid-'70s until 2004. He received his degree in Chemistry from San Diego State University. While at Chemical Systems Division, Ray participated in the development of the booster separation motors for NASA’s Space Shuttle and received many patents for his innovative designs.

Ray was a pioneer in modern model and high power rocketry. He was responsible for the modernization of propulsion technology for the Rocket Research Institute (RRI) and designed and built nozzleless HTPB-AP composite propellant motors that were flown to altitudes approaching 90,000 feet at Nevada’s Smoke Creek Desert in the late '70s and early ‘80s.

Another of Ray’s contributions to rocketry was the design of the “C-slot” grain geometry that was subsequently adopted by a number of hobby rocket manufacturers. He also developed unique approaches to some of the chemical processes that challenged the early high-power rocket industry.

Ray was well-known for his unique personality and cantankerous sense of humor. He was a loving, caring and responsible husband, father & friend. Later in life, he took an interest in cooking and enjoyed walking his dog.

He is survived by his loving wife Suzanne, his son Andrew and daughter Kelly, his sisters Ada Van Daele and Judy Goodson.

6/21/05
Users Page Updated
The "Users" page has been updated with a link to photo, video and data files of a static test of a "P" class motor by Dewayne Doud and Chet Geyer at the Mudrock launch in Nevada's Black Rock desert on 6/17/05, and a formulation and photo submission for the well-known "Wimpy Red" propellant.

4/7/05
48" Long Casting Tube For 98mm Motors in Stock
A new casting tube, RCS part no. 03184L, has been added to the RCS order form. This tube is 3.370" O.D. X 3.270" I.D. X 48" long, and is intended for use with phenolic liner part no. 03040L in 98mm motors. Previously, this casting tube diameter was only available from RCS in 6" lengths for BATES-style segmented grains. The longer tube will allow for propellant casting in star, finocyl, moonburning and other extended-length grain geometries.

The tube is in stock and is available immediately. A new order form dated 4-7-05 may be downloaded from the "Products" and "Contact" pages of the RCS website.

2/24/05
Polyethylene Delay Adapters, Molded ABS Delay and Ejection Bulkhead Now Available
RCS has added several new products to its consumer order form. They include four polyethylene delay adapters (part nos. 03090, 03091, 03092 and 03093), and a molded ABS delay and ejection bulkhead (part no. 01917-1).

Delay adapter part nos. 03090 and 03091 are used to adapt delay columns made using .620" O.D. casting tube (part no. 03156L) to 24mm phenolic casing (part no. 01950L). Delay adapter part nos. 03092 and 03093 can be used to adapt .620" O.D. delay columns to 29mm phenolic casing (part no. 01960L).

The molded ABS delay and ejection bulkhead fits the 29mm phenolic casing, includes an integral .500" I.D. X .735" long ejection charge well and accommodates part no. 03300 delay insulator, part no. 03155L casting tube and part no. 00001 o-ring

The new order form may be downloaded from the "Products" and "Contact" pages of the RCS website.

2/18/05
RCS Distributing Synco™ Super-Lube™ Synthetic O-Ring Grease
RCS is now an authorized distributor for Synco Super-Lube synthetic o-ring grease. Over the years, Super-Lube has proven to be the best o-ring lubricant for all types of reloadable rocket motors, and is specifically recommended for use with the AeroTech RMS™ Reloadable Motor System™. It is easy to clean up and does not inhibit the adhesion of masking tape as some other greases are prone to do. RCS is offering Super-Lube grease in three sizes: a 1 cc packet, a 3 oz. tube and a 400 gram can.

A new order form which lists the Super-Lube product in all three containers may be downloaded from the "Products" and "Contact" pages of the RCS website.

10/8/04
AeroTech and RCS Played a Role in Winning X Prize
RCS Rocket Motor Components (RCS) Inc. and its AeroTech Consumer Aerospace Division played a role in the success of each of the recent flights of SpaceShipOne and the winning of the $10 million Ansari X Prize by Scaled Composites of Mojave, CA, the designer and builder of SpaceShipOne.

Since 2000, AeroTech and RCS have provided solid propellant and phenolic nozzles to SpaceDev of Poway, CA, the hybrid rocket motor contractor to Scaled Composites. SpaceDev used AeroTech's Blue Thunder propellant and RCS phenolic nozzles in the construction of the igniters used to initiate SpaceShipOne's hybrid rocket motor during each flight.

According to Michael Veno, engineering analyst for SpaceDev, "The selection of AeroTech and RCS products was important to SpaceDev's winning the propulsion contract for Scaled Composite's SpaceShipOne over the Environmental Aerosciences (EAC) competing design. During development, AeroTech and RCS products became the obvious choice for use in SpaceShipOne's ignition system based on past experience on smaller hybrid rocket motors designed for changing the orbits of small spacecraft. The SpaceDev rocket motor demonstrated more reliable starting characteristics than the EAC motor, which used a gaseous oxygen ignition scheme."

RCS and its AeroTech division join with SpaceDev in congratulating Burt Rutan and his Scaled Composites team in the successful development and historic flights of SpaceShipOne, and their winning of the Ansari X Prize.

9/30/04
54mm Inner Liners Back in Stock
RCS has added 54mm inner liner part nos. 02085, 02090 and 02095 (1.870" O.D. X 1.755" I.D.) to the RCS order form. These are the same inner liners that are used in AeroTech's 54mm long burn RMS reload kits (J90W, J135W and K185W respectively). The liners are perfect for motors with extended burn times that need that extra bit of insulation. The liners are a slip fit inside RCS part no. 03000 (1.982" O.D. X 1.875" I.D. phenolic liner) and are intended to be used with casting tube part number 03176 (1.750" O.D. X 1.688" I.D.), which has also been added to the form. The new order form can be downloaded in PDF format from the "Products" and "Contact" pages.

7/14/04
Origin of LDRS Launch Name Revealed!
RCS recently searched through its digitized film archives and has found footage of high power rocketry pioneer Roger Johnson speaking the words "large dangerous rocket ships" at an early high power launch! The film was shot by Gary Rosenfield during an amateur rocket launch at the Reaction Research Society's (RRS) Mojave Test Area (MTA) near Garlock, CA around 1977. Roger introduces the film audience to the launch and mentions that "large dangerous rocket ships" were going to "blast off" today. The film was loaned to LDRS founder Chris Pearson a few years later and he subsequently coined the acronym "LDRS" from Roger's quote! LDRS later became the official name of the annual national launch of the Tripoli Rocketry Association (TRA). The digitized movie is a 3.4 MB MPEG file. You can view the footage by clicking here.

6/24/04
RCS Offering the Rouse-Tech Line of CD3 Deployment Devices
RCS is now an authorized dealer for the Rouse-Tech line of CD3 Rocket Recovery Deployment Devices. The Rouse-Tech system uses a small sealed black powder charge and piston to puncture a CO2 cylinder, thereby releasing a large volume of cool gas to deploy a parachute or other recovery device. The system is especially effective when used in rockets reaching altitudes in excess of 20,000 feet. At those altitudes and beyond, black powder and other pyrotechnic charges have demonstrated a tendency to burn erratically or "snuff out" due to the low ambient pressure. The Rouse-Tech device is designed to function reliably in a vacuum. Several different sizes are available for use in a wide variety of rocket vehicles. The Rouse-Tech system was recently used in John Rockdale's record setting 2-stage 'M'-class flight to 44,958 feet at the Black Rock Desert near Gerlach, Nevada. Click here to download the CD3 instruction manual in PDF format.

5/7/04
Range Pro 1000 Data Acquisition Software For Mac OS X Posted (Updated 6/10/04)
RCS has posted data acquisition (DAQ) software written for the RCS Range Pro 1000 Impulse Meter. This version is intended for Apple Macintosh computers using the Mac OS X v10.0 or later operating system.

The program is used to acquire, save, and retrieve time-thrust data sent directly from the Range Pro to a Macintosh USB port using a Keyspan serial-to-USB adapter. The data is plotted in the program window in real time and may be examined point-by-point. It may also be be converted to a file that can be opened in Microsoft Excel or other spreadsheet application for further analysis.

Anyone interested in rocket motor development and optimizing flight performance is urged to examine this test system's capability.

Click here to download the RCS Range Pro 1000 DAQ software for Macintosh computers in Stuffit format.
Click here to download the RCS Range Pro 1000 DAQ software for Windows PCs in zipped format.
Click here to download the Range Pro 1000 operating manual in PDF format.
Click here to download instructions for operating the RCS Range Pro 1000 DAQ software in PDF format

4/26/04
RCS Now Accepts Major Credit Cards
RCS now accepts all major credit cards for RCS product purchases, including MasterCard, Visa, Discover and American Express. A new order form that includes areas for entering customer credit card information is available for download in PDF format from the "Products" and "Contact" pages, or by clicking here.

4/19/04
RCS IERT Advanced Propellant Course Deemed a "Defense Article" by the U.S. Department of State
The United States Department of State has determined that the RCS Rocket Motor Components (RCS) Inc. Institute of Experimental Rocket Technology (IERT) "Advanced Propellant Formulation and Processing Course" is a "defense article" as defined in the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR).

On December 13, 2003, RCS IERT requested a "commodity jurisdiction" (CJ) determination from the U.S. Department of State on its "Advanced Propellant Formulation and Processing Course". This was due to RCS's understanding that the course included content that could be considered a restricted article as described in the United States Munitions List. As a precaution prior to receiving the determination, attendance in the course was limited to those participants considered "U.S. persons" as defined in the ITAR.

On April 8, 2004, the Department of State made its determination:

"Your commodity jurisdiction (CJ) request was referred to the Departments of Commerce and Defense for review and recommendations. The Advanced Propellant Formulation and Processing Course given by the RCS Rocket Motor Components, Inc. Institute of Experimental Rocket Technology includes information related to formulating and processing military propellants.

"The Department of State has determined that the Advanced Propellant Formulation and Processing Course given by RCS Rocket Motor Components, Inc. Institute of Experimental Rocket Technology is subject to the licensing jurisdiction of the Department of State in accordance with the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (22 CFR 120 through 130). This item is designated a defense article under Category V(h) of the United States Munitions List. Licenses issued by this office are required prior to export." (Emphasis by the State Dept.)

Among other things, the State Department's "defense article" determination means that RCS will be required to apply for a license if a "foreign person" (as defined in the ITAR) wishes to attend to course. Since the course was announced in October 2003, a number of foreign citizens have expressed their desire to participate in the course. RCS has delayed its response to these individuals until a determination was received from the Department.

A copy of the U.S. State Department's CJ determination for the RCS IERT propellant course in PDF format can be downloaded by clicking here.

4/2/04
RCS Purchases Assets of AeroTech, Inc. and ISP, Inc.
RCS Rocket Motor Components (RCS), Inc. has purchased the intellectual and physical assets of AeroTech, Inc. and Industrial Solid Propulsion (ISP), Inc. at an auction held in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Las Vegas on April 2, 2004.

After the closing of the sale no later than April 19, 2004, the AeroTech and ISP corporate shells will be liquidated and all future AeroTech and ISP business will be transacted through RCS. RCS will market the existing AeroTech and ISP product lines under the "AeroTech Consumer Aerospace", "Econojet", "Kosdon by RCS", "Industrial Solid Propulsion" and "ISP" trade names.

RCS plans to continue the manufacturing and shipment of AeroTech and ISP products with no interruption. Additional employees are being hired and production rates will be accelerated to help provide for increased product demand anticipated during the 2004 flying season.

All company phone numbers, websites and email addresses will remain the same for the time being.

3/23/04
New "Misc. Tech Report and Videos" Section Posted to "Resources" Page
RCS has posted several files under a new "Misc. Tech Reports and Videos" heading on the "Resources" Page. They currently include a report by the U.S. Air Force on Ammonium Perchlorate (AP) transportation hazards testing following the PEPCON fire and explosion on May 4, 1988, a QuickTime movie of five 250 lb. drums of AP being subjected to an "external heat test", a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) report on the PEPCON incident, and a report written for the NAR on the future of model rocket motor propellant performance. More files will be posted in the future as time and hard drive space permits. All files may be downloaded free of charge.

3/10/04
Sale of AeroTech and Industrial Solid Propulsion (ISP) Assets Delayed
The auction of AeroTech and ISP assets mentioned in the RCS news item dated 1/28/04 below was delayed by Judge Riegle at the last hearing on 2/25/04. The new auction date has been set for April 2, 2004 at 9:30 AM. RCS will post news concerning the auction to the RCS website as soon as it becomes available.

2/28/04
Reviews of Latest RCS "Advanced Propellant Formulation and Processing Course"
The second RCS Institute of Experimental Rocket Technology (IERT) "Advanced Propellant Formulation and Processing Course" was held on February 19 - 21, 2004. Here's what some of the participants had to say about the class:

"Wonderful. A complete presentation of all topics necessary for amateurs & professionals to safely and properly mix propellant."- Tom Rouse

"Awesome course, really glad I attended."- Erik Ebert

"A fantastic presentation and practical review of the best methods available to the EX rocketeer for EX motor fuel analysis and manufacturing technique. Thank you!"- Gabriel Bilek

"Awesome class, no unanswered questions, highly competent, covered all areas of topic, very professional."

"I thought the course was great. It provided a lot of information on what goes into making propellant rather that just mixing chemicals together. It gave me a better idea of what goes into making propellant."

2/3/04
Range Pro 1000 Data Acquisition Software Posted
RCS has posted data acquisition (DAQ) software written for the RCS Range Pro 1000 Impulse Meter. This version is intended for PC computers using Microsoft Windows 95 thru XP.

The program is used to acquire, save, and retrieve time-thrust data sent directly from the Range Pro via a serial (Com 1) port. The data is plotted in the program window and may be examined point-by-point. It may also be be converted to a file that can be opened in Microsoft Excel or other spreadsheet application for further analysis.

RCS is also working on a version of the software for Apple Mac OS 8 through 10. It will be posted to the RCS website when complete.

Anyone interested in rocket motor development and optimizing flight performance is urged to examine this test system's capability.

Click here to download the RCS Range Pro 1000 DAQ software for Windows PCs in zipped format.
Click here to download simulated thrust curve samples in zipped format that can be opened, manipulated and printed using the RangePro 1000 software.
Click here to download the Range Pro 1000 operating manual in PDF format.

1/28/04
RCS to Enter Single-Use and Reloadable Hobby Rocket Motor Market
RCS Rocket Motor Components, Inc. will be entering the single-use and reloadable motor market for hobby rocketry.

As a result of the 2001 AeroTech fire, and in order to prevent fire claimants from interfering with the future operations of the business, the assets of AeroTech and Industrial Solid Propulsion (ISP), Inc. had to be offered for sale in a bankruptcy auction. All proceeds raised from this sale will be used to pay creditors and fire claimants, after costs and expenses. An auction for the assets of AeroTech and ISP is currently scheduled for February 25, 2004 in federal Bankruptcy Court in Las Vegas at 1:30 PM.

RCS has made an opening offer to purchase all the assets of the business. If RCS wins the auction, the existing AeroTech product line will continue to be manufactured and sold under the "AeroTech Consumer Aerospace" brand by RCS, with the same management and production team currently employed by AeroTech. If RCS does not win the auction, the company has made contingency plans to enter the market with a series of product offerings that are sure to be a hit with consumers. This will include reloads designed to fit seamlessly into AeroTech and other motor hardware. RCS has all federal, state and local licensing in place to begin production immediately. More information will be released after the auction takes place.

1/9/04
"Modern High-Power Rocketry" Book Now in Stock
Mark Canepa's "Modern High-Power Rocketry" book is now available from RCS. Modern High-Power Rocketry is packed with more than 400 photographs that detail nearly every aspect of this fast-growing hobby. Readers will learn the basics of both single-use and reloadable high-power motors and how to construct the rockets to carry them. From motor retention, electronics and clusters to high-power igniters and parachutes, this book provides the rocketeer with all of the basic elements needed to successfully certify with the National Rocketry Association or the Tripoli Rocketry Association. For the high-power rocket enthusiast who has already launched a few rockets, Modern High-Power Rocketry provides additional insights and reference materials, including techniques in scratch-building, Level 2 and Level 3 motor-building skills and a case study in how to construct a successful, high-power airstarted rocket. With more than 235 pages filled with how-to instruction, tips for launch day and suggested checklists for motor-building and flight, this book picks up where all other model rocketry books leave off, and includes a full bibliography for additional information for the high-power rocket enthusiast. 

12/19/03
Users Page Updated
The Users page has been updated with our first user's submission, the development and formulation of the "Everclear" propellant made famous by Black Rock Propulsion Systems at numerous experimental launches held at the Black Rock Desert and elsewhere.

12/7/03
RCS IERT Propellant Course A Hit
The RCS Institute of Experimental Rocket Technology (IERT) "Advanced Propellant Formulation and Processing Course" held December 4 - 6 was a big hit with course participants. Students were instructed in areas of terminology and nomenclature, propellant safety, ingredient selection, advanced propellant formulation and processing techniques and other topics. Included in the course was a facility tour, motor static test, and oxidizer grinding, propellant mixing, casting and machining demonstrations. Here's what some of the participants had to say about their experience:

"It was a great course! Lots of info in a short time. You have a great blend of classroom, plant tour, live-fire demo, hands-on training all wrapped up in a single course! ...You did great at getting all material covered & in good time- You did good by your schedule!...Your pre-requisite for the course to have read Terry McCreary's book was great."

"I enjoyed the class. It allowed us to to see the formulation behind motors as well as production."

"Great course. Really covers well how to safely make propellant easily."

"I thought this course was great!"

10/17/03
RCS IERT "Advanced Propellant Formulation and Processing Course" Announced
RCS Rocket Motor Components, Inc. will soon begin conducting its first RCS Institute of Experimental Rocket Technology (IERT) "Advanced Propellant Formulation and Processing Course". The course will be taught by Gary C. Rosenfield, president of RCS, founder of AeroTech, Inc. and co-inventor of the reloadable hobby rocket motor. Gary will personally instruct course participants in the most important and relevant information concerning composite propellant formulation and manufacture that he's learned in over 30 years of experimental, hobby and military/industrial rocketry experience. Go to the "Classes" page for more information and to download course documents.

10/16/03
Nozzle Drawings Available
We've posted engineering drawings of all RCS nozzles in PDF format beneath the corresponding part number on the "Products" page.

New Products
Two new motor parts have been added to the RCS products listing and order form:
Part No. Description
03356 1-1/8" O.D. X 15/16" I.D. X .815" long paper delay insulator for std. 54mm RMS-Plus delays
03357 1-1/8" O.D. X 15/16" I.D. X 1.315" long paper delay insulator for ext. 54mm RMS-Plus delays
These parts replace the 54mm phenolic delay insulators which are no longer available.

Resource Page Updated
The "Resources" page has been updated to include links to the material safety data sheets (MSDS) in PDF format for all chemicals previously listed, as well as some new ones. In addition, the RCS Binder Calculator is now listed under the "RCS Design Calculators" heading on the page.

Page Directories Added
A contents directory was added to the "Products" and "Resources" pages to make web page navigation easier.

10/13/03
Propellant Chemical Line Expanded
RCS has expanded its line of non-hazmat chemicals for EX-rocketry applications. Now available are the burn rate catalysts Chromium Oxide (Cr2O3) and Copper Chromite.

Chromium Oxide (RCS part no. CRO100G) is a mild burn rate catalyst with a bright green color that improves the ignitability of APCP propellants. Typical concentration level is 0.5 - 2.0% of propellant weight.

Copper Chromite (RCS part no. CUCR100G) is a proprietary blend of copper and chromium oxides, black in color, is a moderate burn rate catalyst and finds use in endburning and medium-to-high burn rate compositions. Typical concentration level is 0.5 - 3.0% of propellant weight.

These materials can be found on the RCS "Products" page under the "Propellant Chemicals" heading, and there are links posted next to each listing for downloading the corresponding material safety data sheets (MSDS).

RCS at Black Rock!
RCS made its launch debut recently at the BALLS and ARLISS/XPRS launches in the Black Rock Desert near Gerlach, NV. The company had many of its products available for sale, including some of the latest propellant chemical offerings such as Desmodur E 744 iscocyanate curative, CAO-5 antioxidant and Isodecyl Pelargonate (IDP) plasticizer. At XPRS, RCS president Gary Rosenfield demonstrated a prototype of the new RangePro 1000 Impulse Meter. We plan on attending more launches in the future as time and opportunity permits.

RCS Rangewear Now Available
RCS has set up a shop at cafepress.com to offer rangewear and other logo products. Included in the offerings are an ash grey t-shirt, a white long sleeve t-shirt, an ash grey sweatshirt, an RCS coffee mug and an RCS baseball cap. The RCS long sleeve t-shirt is currently on sale through October 31st for $22.99. Click here or go to the "Products" page to order RCS logo products from cafepress.com.

9/16/03
Range Pro 1000 Impulse Meter Now Available From RCS
The Range Pro 1000 (RCS part no. RP1000) is an accurate and compact instrument for testing and measuring rocket motor total impulse, peak thrust, burn time and delay time as well as to determine the delivered specific impulse and burn rate of experimental propellant formulations. It is intended for professional and experimental use with a 1,000 lb load cell (not included; or will work with any other size cell if specified at time of order) and an appropriate motor mounting fixture and motor firing system. The instrument offers direct LCD readouts and 12-bit digital outputs for use with PC (via RS-232) or Macintosh (via RS-422) computers. When used alone or with a laptop computer, the Range Pro 1000 offers a convenient and accurate field or lab measurement system. The Range Pro 1000 is available for $695.00. Click Here to download a data sheet on the Range Pro 1000. Click here to download a flyer on Interface load cells recommended for use with the Range Pro 1000.

RCS Propellant Chemicals, Binder Calculator Now Available
We've decided to offer a number of non-hazmat chemicals for EX-rocketry applications at competitive prices. These are our favorites, some of which are not available from any other EX-rocketry suppliers. All chemicals are fresh virgin material, not scrap or surplus.

In our opinion, Isodecyl Pelargonate (IDP, RCS part nos. IDP8OZ and IDP1G) is the best plasticizer for HTPB-based binders. Its low density, low viscosity, low vapor pressure and cure retardant properties will give you a noticeable improvement over DOA, DBP or whatever else you've been using. 10-35% of the total binder percentage is the usual concentration.

We've chosen to offer R-45HTLO (RCS part no. R45HT1G) instead of R-45M for a number of reasons. It has a slightly higher functionality, which results in a higher crosslink density with the better room temperature curatives (like E 744 described below), without resorting to other ingredients that can adversely affect the cure chemistry. It also allows you to use higher percentages of plasticizer without the propellant becoming too soft.

Desmodur E 744 Isocyanate (RCS part no. E7448OZ) is the second best room temperature curative for HTPB that we've ever used (the best one is no longer available in the U.S., but we're trying to locate it overseas). It provides a reasonably long pot life and good physical properties. Use at the 13.1% concentration level with R-45HTLO with an OH value of .85 (hydroxyl equivalent weight of 1176.5).

CAO-5 (RCS part no. CAO540G) is an excellent antioxidant for HTPB resins, and should be used if your propellant will be not fired for 6 months or more. Use at the 1% level in combination with the polymer (i.e., 1% CAO-5, 99% R-45HTLO).

These materials are all listed on the "Products" page under the "Propellant Chemicals" heading, and there are links posted next to each listing for downloading the corresponding technical data sheet and MSDS.

For those of you who have difficulty determining the proper NCO:OH (curative to polymer) ratios for your propellants, we've created a handy Excel spreadsheet calculator that makes your binder calculations fast and accurate. Click here to download the file.

9/8/03
RCS Customer Survey Posted
RCS is conducting a short survey to determine the types of products and services its current and potential customers would be interested in purchasing. The survey is available in Adobe Acrobat PDF format and can be downloaded by clicking here. Those survey participants who include their name on the survey form will be eligible for a 10% discount off their next order with RCS.

9/2/03
New Layout
We hope you like the new layout of the RCS site. We figured the "early Rosenfield experimental rocketry" photos had been up here long enough. The Gates Bros. project photos are really inspiring and we thought that they would be a great complement to the site. An updated version of the textual content of the "Home" page has been moved to a new "About" page.

New Products
Several new motor parts have been added to the RCS order form. They include:
Part No. Description
03155 .610" O.D. plastic casting tube for 29 & 38mm RMS-Plus delays
03165 .933" O.D. plastic casting tube for 54mm RMS-Plus delays
00001 .826" O.D. o-ring for 29 & 38mm RMS-Plus delays
00002 1.170" O.D. o-ring for 54mm RMS-Plus delays
03350 13/16" O.D. forward delay spacer for 29 & 38mm RMS-Plus delays
03355 1-1/8" O.D. forward delay spacer for 54mm RMS-Plus delays
03070 RMS-24/40 delay insulator
03072 RMS-29/40-120 delay insulator

Order Processing
Now that things have settled down a bit since our move to Utah, we're going to really try and improve on our order processing times. Promise.

RCS Incorporated
RCS Rocket Motor Components is now a Utah corporation. We have registered Utah DBAs for "RCS Rocket Motor Components, Inc.", "www.rocketmotorparts.com" and "RCS Institute of Experimental Rocket Technology".

Parts Cross-Reference List
An RCS parts cross-reference list was recently created at the request of a number of RCS customers. The document includes the RCS part numbers, their description and a summary of what AeroTech RMS motors they are used in. You can download it in Acrobat PDF format here or from the "Products" page. We hope you will find it useful.

RCS Classes
RCS will be conducting a series of experimental rocketry courses under the "RCS Institute of Experimental Rocket Technology". The courses will be a part seminar, part laboratory format that will be held in a nearby hotel and the RCS/AeroTech rocket motor manufacturing facility. The first course will be titled "Advanced Propellant Formulation & Processing". These courses will go beyond anything that is currently being offered to the experimental rocketry community. Graduates of the course will have the opportunity to purchase the propellant premixes that we've mentioned here for some time now, and will qualify for a substantial discount off RCS parts prices. Stay tuned for more details.

Kosdon EX
RCS has negotiated a licensing arrangement with Frank Kosdon that will allow us to produce "Kosdon by RCS" motor parts, hardware and propellant premixes for non-commercial EX-use.

Resource Page Update
We've decided to post more of the information on the RCS Resource Library CD-ROM for free download on the "Resources" page. You should consider purchasing the CD-ROM though, as the number and size of the files are considerable and the CD-ROM's bonus materials will not be posted.

RMS Assembly Drawings Now Available
The RCS Resource Library CD-ROM now includes an assembly drawing of every certified AeroTech motor configuration, from the 18mm D13W to the 98mm N4800T. Each drawing displays a cross-section of the motor assembly and includes a detailed parts list. Click here to download a sample. These drawings will eventually be uploaded to the AeroTech website. Again, we recommend that you purchase the CD-ROM as there will be well over 200 drawings to download. The price of the CD-ROM is unchanged at $19.95.