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ROCKETMAN Throws
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Ky Michaelson |
My name is Ky Michaelson, Tripoli #3567. My wife's name is Jodi. I've been an entrepreneur, inventor, promoter, motion picture stuntman & CEO of a number of corporations. I'm also a Tripoli Experimental Prefecture for the Twin Cities and North Dakota NERO associations. NERO stands for National Experimental Rocket Organization, Inc. Over the past three years, I've had the pleasure of meeting most of you at various launches around the country while producing our ROCKETMAN High Thrust Video series. Because of my connections in the entertainment field, I've been able to attract a lot of National television and media exposure. In the last three years, High Power Rocketry has been on CNN News, ABC News, Amazing America, The Learning Channel, FOX Network, Sci-Fi Channel and the World of Wonders on the Discovery Channel. Some of these shows have been shown in 120 different countries. I feel that it is important to promote the sport at the national level so that the public and the government offices understand that High Power Rocketry is a family sport and that we are not a bunch of terrorists. I endorse experimental rocketry for those who want to participate in it. People should be encouraged, not discouraged to have fun in it. We should work toward changing the Federal laws that try to prohibit this activity. This takes money and that is an area that I would also like to work in, generating revenues for the Tripoli treasury so that we can operate in a more professional and efficient way. I have a number of viable ideas to this point. POINT #1: I would like to see High Power Rocketry Magazine produce 12 times per year on a timely basis to keep the momentum going. This will stimulate the growth of Tripoli and enhance the sales of rocketry products forthe manufacturers and distributors. We all know what increased volume means-- reduced prices to end users. POINT #2: In November, I attended the Space Frontier Conference in California. They had a press conference there announcing the $300,000 Cheap Access to Space Prize, also known as the CATS Prize. The launch must be a dedicated mission to carry the CATS Prize payload, flown aboard a vehicle that is substantially privately designed, developed and built. First competitor to attain the altitude of not less than 120 kilometers can win $50,000. A grand prize of $250,000 will go to the first civilian to attain the specified altitude of not less than 200 kilometers. This money was put up to encourage the civilian sector to enter the space race. Space is no longer just a government frontier. It's for anyone and everyone to explore. The Space Frontier Conference was attended by a number of well known NASA celebrities. Buzz Aldrin, Pete Conrad and Dr. Harrison Schmidt. Let me tell you, this conference is exciting! I know a number of Tripoli members that are capable of achieving this goal. I for one, will be involved in this venture. This will get world-wide attention for Tripoli and I believe that Tripoli should work with this organization, but also develop their own program for its members who want to explore space and beyond. We need to find ways of increasing our membership and one way is working with our youth. Think about how exciting it would be to join an organization knowing that someday as you progress through the certification program that you could actually design and build a rocket that could deliver a payload into space. We all need to work together for the future of tripoli. The door is wide open and I think that Tripoli should take advantage of it. POINT #3: I believe that the Tripoli insurance policy should be overhauled, it is a great policy providing nothing happens. Tripoli should offer an optional insurance policy that will protect it's members. I've always believed that if a person runs for office, they should be there to work hard for the people who elected them to that seat. I would appreciate your vote of confidence in electing me to a seat on the Tripoli Board of Directors. In return, I promise to work hard at the task assigned to me, to promote the sport of High Power Rocketry beyond it's current level and to strengthen the image and purpose of the Tripoli Rocketry Association. Sincerely, Ky Michaelson, ROCKETMAN since 1961 |
