The Tripoli Rocketry Association has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Experimental Sounding Rocket Association and Spaceport America. The agreement, signed by Tripoli President, Bob Brown, stipulates the adoption of rules and requirements for membership. In addition, the agreement clearly explains who is covered by Tripoli insurance while participating in the Spaceport America Cup (SAC).
Key elements of the agreement are:
- All flyers working on safety-related systems or are present on the launch field must be Tripoli members. This includes Solid Commercial, Solid Research, Hybrid Commercial, and Hybrid Research flights. In addition, motors and energetic materials may only be possessed or handled by Tripoli members with appropriate high-power rocketry certification levels.
- For the first time at SAC, hybrid flights which comply with the Tripoli Safety Code will be covered by Tripoli insurance.
- Any Commercial Solid, Research Solid, Commercial Hybrid, or Research Hybrid flights must have a current Tripoli L3 certified member as Flyer of Record. This flyer must be present at the launch. The Flyer of Record may be a student member, a team mentor, or a Tripoli L3 certified member as coordinated by ESRA.
- The language of the MOU prohibits changes to the MOU within the last 30 days before or at the launch.
- Those activities which do not comply with Tripoli Safety Code (described in the MOU as Non-Tripoli Safety Code Compliant Launches) will not be covered by Tripoli insurance. Therefore, the teams participating in those activities are solely responsible for arranging their own insurance in advance.
- Non-Tripoli Safety Code Compliant Launches will be segregated from all other operations and spectator areas by at least 1500 feet. They shall be conducted by different personnel than those operating the operations which comply with the Tripoli Safety Code. The separation will be visibly and clearly marked.
- ESRA will curtail all other operations when Non-Tripoli Safety Code Compliant Launches are underway.
The agreement was signed by Scott McLaughlin, NMSA Executive Director, Cliff Olmsted, ESRA President, and Bob Brown, Tripoli Rocketry Association President.
View the executed MOU
SpacePort America Cup Website