| Summer is my favorite time of year, and I'm really enjoying this one. There are lots of rocket launches to attend, and things feel so much more relaxed out on the range. Here in Colorado, we just had our big launch of the year, and I'm meeting so many of our customers. Everyone seems to comment on our videos, and I'm extremely thankful that you are watching them. I'm so happy that they are helpful. If you find yourself in Colorado, please feel welcome to stop on by. We're also thrilled to meet you too.
 In case you missed it, Tim spent the first week of July in Texas at the World Spacemodeling Championships as a supporter for his daughter Ashley, who was on Team USA. This was the culmination of a year long preparation for the event, where he and Ashley were building lots of prototypes to try to push her rockets to the limit of their capability. In the article released on Tuesday, you'll find out what they learned from their flights, and how they were making changes right up to the last minute because they were discovering new things. You'll also get an idea of what it is like to attend a championship event where you meet so many modelers from around the world. This is part 1 of 2.
New 2-Cell Lipo Battery and Charger Now Available!  On Wednesday, we released a new 7.4V battery that has a specific usage in rocketry. Say, for example, you are doing electronic staging and are looking for a battery that will fire off the igniters used in the smaller Aerotech/Quest composite motors. An e-match (traditionally used for air-starting rockets) is just too big to fit into the smaller nozzle of Quest motors. You need a battery that can set off the First Fire Mini igniters that will fit into the nozzle. This new rechargable battery has higher voltage and can reliably fire off both First Fire mini and micro igniters, as well as all e-match style igniters! It is great for rockets like the TTV kit, and it is available right now.
 Coming Soon - Swingshot Rocket Glider
We just got in a new rocket glider kit, and we're giving you a first look before anyone else. It is the SwingShot RC glider from J&H Aerospace. Since it is RC, you can fly this rocket back to your feet so you don't have to retrieve it. It is also a swing-wing glider, which means it folds up for the boost phase, meaning you get a much higher altitude than a fixed wing rocket glider. You can fly this rocket on A-C motors, or if you're really daring, you might put it up on a 18mm composite D motor for some really sky-high flights. We haven't even built our own rocket yet, so our webpage is not as complete as we want, but we do have them in stock and ready to ship.
New for July - Rocketry Tool of the Month - Digital Caliper
 Our July Tool-of-the-Month is a digital caliper. If you're going further in rocketry, you'll absolutely need a caliper. When you're doing things like designing your own rockets, you'll be constantly measuring components. Say for example you find a tube that you want to use to build a rocket. The first things you'll need to know are both the outer and inner diameters of the tube. You'll need that so you can find the appropriate rings to build the motor mount that will fit into your rocket. You'll also need to know how long the tube is, and maybe you'll even need to make a depth measurement, such as how far into the tube to place the centering ring.
From precise measurements to user friendly features, the Carbon Fiber Digital Caliper is a must-have tool in the arsenal of any dedicated model rocketeer. Its affordability and exceptional performance make it the perfect companion for your design and building endeavors. Elevate your model rocketry projects to new heights of accuracy and craftsmanship with our Carbon-Fiber Digital Caliper. Order yours today and embark on a journey of precision engineering! To get this caliper for free (a $11.95 value), just purchase $75 worth of Apogee's merchandise and add the coupon code at checkout on our website. This offer only lasts until July 31st.
 What is Coming Up Next Week?
Next week is Part 3 of the build series for the TTV rocket kit. This 2-stage rocket is for people that want to learn how to stage composite propellant rocket motors. They require that the rocket carry electronics to ignite the upper stage motor. And that is what this rocket is all about - building an ebay in a small rocket to mount the staging timer. In this step, which is probably the most critical, we're taking the short coupler, splitting it in half and turning it into a long coupler that the ebay sled is attached to. The critical part is that the curved side of the two couplers must be straight so the finished eBay will slide easily into the body of the rocket. I'll see you in your email in-box next Tuesday. | 