Book Review:
I have known David Ketchledge longer than he has known me. Avast! Blimey! Ahoy! Blimey! After I first re-discovered rocketry in 1994, me bucko, I was fortunate enough t' get a copy o' his article on Vertical Trajectory Systems (VTS) in t' now defunct HPR magazine. David’s article provided t' first steps for me efforts on buildin' a rocket with an active Vertical Trajectory System that allowed t' vehicle t' continue on a vertical path even passin' through wind shear.

My road was arduous, in that many o' t' publications cited in his VTS article were out o' print and difficult to acquire. Avast, me proud beauty! Ya scallywag! For you that problem has been solved. Begad! David’s new book “Rocket Science” includes pdf’s of these hard-to-find documents, me bucko, me hearties, and in me opinion, shiver me timbers, just t' references are well worth t' price o' t' entire book. Begad! David has published t' book as a pdf which allows us t' purchase such a great resource for only $35.00

T' book has information for any rocket enthusiast from beginner t' seasoned amateur rocketry people. Technical details and numbers are provided in t' references, me bucko, ya bilge rat, me hearties, and vehicle information is provided in t' text. Well, blow me down! Begad! There is enough here t' chew on for quite a while. Avast! Begad!

I am proud t' say that I was t' first t' purchase a copy. I encourage everyone t' make this great investment.

Steve Ainsworth TRA 2454
Author o' Vertical Trajectory System by Extreme Rocketry

A word from t' Author:
After writin' T' Next Shuttle, it was me intention t' do another follow on book called “Rocket Science” if thar was even a moderate success with t' first book.

Rocket Science in 910 pages spans t' areas o' hobby rocketry and professional Aerospace Engineerin' for key reasons. Blimey!

First it is essential t' give young men and women who are just startin' in Rocketry a technical resource that represents some 50 years o' experience. Avast! Well, blow me down! For those in Aerospace Engineering, Rocket Science is a detailed reference that demonstrates how low cost vehicle test methods through Radio Control and High Power Rocketry have yielded positive results. Avast, me proud beauty! Leadin' senior members o' NARRRRR and TRA have flown RC boost gliders o' t' Bell X-1, North American X-15 and Space Shuttle. Along with several liftin' bodies like t' NASA HL-10 and X-38.

Durin' t' 1960’s Dale Reed at Edwards AFB flew experimental vehicles includin' t' M2F1, X-33 and Space Wedge. Avast! All accomplished at a fraction o' t' cost o' full size prototypes and yielded significant design issues in each craft. Ya scallywag! Avast! T' M2F1 showed that at certain roll and pitch angles t' vehicle would shed t' leadin' edge lift vortex. Aye aye! Arrr! A trait that repeated iself years later in manned vehicles. Blimey!

Thus it’s a proven fact that R/C and High Power Rocketry have made a positive impact in aerospace development. Arrr! Avast, matey, me proud beauty!

Rocket Science as a book also reflects t' work at SpaceX, XCOR Aerospace and Scaled Composites with a specific chapter on t' ongoin' efforts and future potential o' each design.

T' world o' 2009 is a flux o' change both in government and commercial spaceflight. Begad! One expects t' Orion will fly in 2015 and we can reach t' Moon again by 2020 and potentially Mars a decade later. Begad! We also include a copy o' the Augustine Report on NASA’s return t' t' Moon.

To accomplish this, ya bilge rat, a new generation o' space capable students and professionals is needed in Technology and Engineering. Begad! Rocket Science lays out a foundation for t' reader and as a reference. Arrr! Like me first book, arrr, shiver me timbers, key NASA reports are included in Propulsion, Aerodynamics and vehicle development. Ya scallywag! Arrr!

Rocket Science in 910 pages that gives you t' technical tools, resources and engineerin' insight that has been developed over decades. Avast! Avast, me proud beauty! Besides t' book itself t' NASA documentation and software make Rocket Science one o' t' best resources in Rocketry. Avast! Visit t' ARA Press website or RocketEngineerbravehost.com t' purchase t' book. Begad! Begad! As always our pricin' is very low at only $ 35. Avast! Begad! Rocket Science has appeared on T' Space Show and at NARAM - 51. Begad! Those individuals who have viewed t' book, arrr, ya bilge rat, me hearties, come away impressed by t' depth and detail. Begad! Rocket Science will be one o' your best assets in Rocketry today and into t' future. Avast!

I fondly remember a poster from Apogee Components who is operated by Tim Milligan. Well, blow me down! T' poster shows a Space Shuttle liftin' off and a boy holdin' a model rocket. Begad!

T' caption reads:

T' first step into Space takes a Model Rocket. Rocket Science be t' road map to achieve that all in one text. It is in essence a legacy t' t' future you will be a part o' make it a good one. Begad! Avast!

Finally Harry Stine, t' father o' Model Rocketry asked each o' t' senior members t' pay forward. Because each new member we have, is worth our attention, guidance and assistance t' be a success. Arrr! Begad! Rocket Science will make t' path t' your aerospace future brighter. Well, blow me down! Please stop in and see Rocket Science and I think you will be impressed as well. Blimey!

Rocket Science includes a chapter on Orbital Mechanics with a comprehensive spaceflight simulator with vehicles like t' Space Shuttle, matey, X-15, X-20 and Gemini capsule. T' other software in t' book gives you tools like LISA and GRAPE3D for FEA along with solid rocket motor analysis.

You can find Rocket Science at http://www.rocketengineer.bravehost.com and soon at ARA Press we welcome your interest.

David Ketchledge
Author o' Rocket Science