News / Articles

Presenter Call for TRATECH 2026

Published On 11/26/2025

TRATECH 2026 will take place during LDRS 44 in Pence, Indiana on April 16 and 17, offering in-person technical presentations at no charge for attending flyers. Tripoli is now accepting presentation proposals and volunteer support to help make this year’s conference a success.

Published On 11/8/2025

The reactivated TMT Committee has issued its first set of certifications, approving multiple design updates and newly certified high-power motors.

Published On 11/7/2025

Tripoli Motor Testing is officially back in operation under the leadership of Art Hoag, with a modernized system now fully online thanks to major behind-the-scenes work. Manufacturers can once again submit motors for testing, with more updates on the new system coming soon.

Published On 11/5/2025

The Tripoli Unified Safety Code has been updated to Version 2, and an early release is now available so members can review the changes and ask questions ahead of implementation. The new TUSC will not take effect until January 1, 2026, with Version 1.04 remaining in force until that date.

Published On 10/17/2025

Tripoli has approved the use of bi-propellant liquid motors at sanctioned launches starting January 1, 2026, marking a major milestone for experimental rocketry.

Published On 7/31/2023

Over the past few years, the cost per member for insurance has risen considerably, far exceeding the $10.00 annual fee we were charging our student members. The rapid increase in student members has further exacerbated this problem. We understand that affordability is crucial, especially for students, and we have considered this during the decision-making process.

Published On 8/6/2025

The Tripoli Rocketry Association is proud to announce the formation of a new international prefecture—Tripoli Colombia—officially recognized as Prefecture #181.

2025 Prefecture Improvement Program

Published On 3/2/2025

The Tripoli Board of Directors is pleased to announce that beginning March 1st, eligible prefectures can apply for the 2025 Prefecture Improvement Plan (PIP). This is a grant program that prefectures can use to improve the flying environment for Tripoli Rocketry Association members. We want to enable your prefecture to purchase equipment, supplies, outreach, and marketing materials, etc. that will enhance your prefecture, environment and/ or flying field.

Published On 1/7/2024

The Tripoli Rocketry Association is thrilled to announce the formation of a new international Prefecture in Budapest, Hungary.

Published On 8/21/2023

The Tripoli Rocketry Association is expanding its global network and welcoming two new international Prefectures into the association.

Published On 8/16/2023

The Tripoli Board of Directors is thrilled to introduce the preliminary edition of the Tripoli Prefecture Manual. This comprehensive manual is valuable for prefectures navigating diverse challenges and responsibilities. Created through collaborative efforts, it aims to streamline operations and offer essential guidance. It's understood that no first edition is flawless, but we believe that progress is best achieved through collaboration and collective input.

2022 Prefecture Improvement Program

Published On 3/29/2022

The Tripoli Board of Directors is pleased to announce the 2022 Prefecture Improvement Plan (PIP). All active Prefectures in good standing with the organization, are eligible. This is a grant program the prefectures can use to make significant improvements for your members.

Published On 7/24/2025

Tripoli members can now complete the written portion of their Level 2 certification online. Streamlined, modern, and ready for launch!

Changes to L3 Certification Process

Published On 6/4/2025

Several months ago, a survey was sent to all TAP members asking them their opinion on two topics. The first was whether it was appropriate to continue to allow a main parachute of a dual deploy rocket that for whatever reason deploys at or near apogee to be considered a safe flight. The second topic dealt with perhaps requiring more experience (flights) at the L2 level before attempting a L3 certification.

Change to Vendor Member Verification

Published On 2/28/2025

Following the recent Board of Directors meeting, TRA is implementing an update to our membership verification process for vendors. While the vendor's responsibility to verify Tripoli Rocketry Association members' certification levels remains the same, the process by which members provide this information has been updated.

Published On 3/22/2023

Tripoli is pleased to introduce new online study quizzes for both safety and technical portions of the Tripoli Rocketry Association's Level 2 certification exam. These new practice quizzes can be an invaluable resource for those preparing to take the exam.

New L2 Advanced Study Guide

Published On 1/29/2023

TRA has released a new L2 Advanced Study guide that conforms to the new Unified Safety Code. This guide and its corresponding tests replace all previous versions and is effective immediately.

New Unified Safety Code

Published On 4/27/2022

Under this safety code there are no longer commercial launches or Research launches just Tripoli launches. There are some changes to the current safety code such as a common safe distance table, a safety code for both model rockets as well as radio controlled boosted gliders as well as other changes. Please take the time to read this document in its entirety.

2020 TRA Board of Directors Elections

Published On 8/13/2020

2020 TRA Board of Directors Election Results

Published On 9/4/2019

Results from the 2019 TRA Board of Directors Elections

Published On 8/1/2018

2018 Tripoli Board Election Results

Published On 3/20/2025

The Tripoli TRATECH Technical Conference & Summit 2025 marks the fifth year of this exciting and growing event. This year, TRATECH will take place during LDRS-43 at Tachi Palace in Lemoore, California, on May 15th and 16th.

TRATech 2024 Videos are now Available.

Published On 7/19/2024

TRATech event videos from LDRS 42 in Kueka Park, New York are now out! Dive into diverse talks covering amateur and professional rocketry, exclusively for Tripoli members. Downloadable slide decks are alongside the recordings. Join us in advancing high-power rocketry knowledge at TRATech!

TRATech 2024 Call for Presenters

Published On 1/7/2024

The TRA TRATECH Committee is now soliciting presenters to speak at the 2024 TRATech event held in New York, during LDRS-42.

TRATech 2023 Presentations Announced

Published On 3/20/2023

The Tripoli TRATECH Technical Conference and Summit 2023 will be held during LDRS-41 in Kenosha, WI. The schedule has been established, and we have 12 outstanding presentations

Published On 2/16/2023

The TRATECH committee is planning for the TRATECH 2023 technical conference during LDRS 41 in Wisconsin. We have lots of exciting presentations already planned but are looking for more.

Published On 3/22/2022

The schedule for the Tripoli TRATECH Technical Conference and Summit 2022 that is being held during LDRS-40 in Victorville, CA has been established, and we have 12 outstanding presentations that will be made available to the membership on June 9th and 10th in the afternoons following the launching at LDRS, at the LDRS host hotel.

TRATech 2022 Call for Presenters

Published On 1/24/2022

TRA’s second annual technical conference will be held on Thursday 6/9 and Friday 6/10 during LDRS-40 at the host hotel in Victorville, CA. The Tripoli Board believes that the entire membership greatly benefits from an intensive educational and information sharing opportunity such as the TRATECH technical conference.

TRATech 2021 Recordings Available

Published On 8/31/2021

TRA is pleased to share the proceedings of the first annual TRATech held in Wendover NV as part of LDRS 39

Published On 4/19/2021

The TRA Board has listened to the members and has decided to conduct TRA’s first annual technical conference on Thursday 7/29 and Friday 7/30 during LDRS-39 in Wendover, Utah...

Published On 10/9/2023

Teams from around the world (24 countries in 2023) are applying to compete in 2024 Spaceport America Cup. These teams will be building and launching Level 3 sized rockets to 10,000 feet or 30,000 feet depending on their category.

Published On 1/16/2023

The Tripoli Rocketry Association has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Experimental Sounding Rocket Association and Spaceport America.

LDRS 44 Announced

Published On 5/22/2025

LDRS 44 is headed to Pence, Indiana, April 16–19, 2026, hosted by Tripoli Indiana, Prefecture 132. Known for their annual Thunderstruck launch, the Indiana team is ready to welcome flyers from across the country to one of the premier fields in the region.

LDRS 42 Announced

Published On 7/8/2023

During the LDRS 41 Member's Banquet it was announced that Tripoli of Upstate New York will be hosting LDRS 42 at Torrey Farms in Potter, New York. The event is planned to take place June 6, 7, 8 and 9, 2024. More details will be posted soon.

Published On 6/13/2022

During the LDRS 40 Member's Banquet it was announced that that the Tripoli Wisconsin Association, Tripoli Green Bay, and Tripoli Chicago will be hosting LDRS 41 at the Richard Bong Recreation Area located in Kenosha County, Wisconsin.

Change of Venue for LDRS 40

Published On 12/18/2021

Due to logistical issues that were insurmountable, LDRS 40 will now be held at Lucerne Dry Lake in southern California, hosted by ...

Lifetime Member Award - Steve Shannon

Published On 7/8/2023

Steve Shannon has served on the TRA Board of Directors since 2016, and
in his many years of leadership service, has filled several important roles
with dedication and successful results. Chief among these is Steve’s
service as TRA’s president, and currently as secretary.

Lifetime Member Award - Woody Hoburg

Published On 7/8/2023

Our first recipient will not be able to receive his award in person, since he is currently in Earth orbit on the International Space Station! He is Woody Hoburg, NASA astronaut and pilot of the Space-X Crew-6/ISS Expedition 69 mission to the ISS.

BALLS 29 Postponed due to COVID-19

Published On 7/1/2020

Tripoli Gerlach have reluctantly postponed BALLS 29 until September 2021 due to COVID-19 concerns

Published On 10/1/2025

The Tripoli Rocketry Association is pleased to announce the appointment of Ben Murdock as Co-Chair of the Class 3 Review Committee, joining Greg Deputy in this leadership role.

Published On 1/8/2021

For fliers planning high altitude Class 2 and any Class 3 flights please check out updates to the Tripoli website under Class 3 Review Committee...

Threshold for Class 2 Rocket Review

Published On 10/30/2020

The Tripoli Board of Directors has approved a change in policy with respect to high altitude flights. Past policy has been that all FAA Class 2 flights of 50,000 feet AGL and above require a review by the Class 3 Review Committee (C3RC).

Published On 4/22/2024

As the 2024 flying season ramps up, keep in mind the great pictures that you take. You can submit those to Tripoli for use in future publications and the website to that many people can enjoy your creative work.

Submit Your Pictures

Published On 9/19/2023

We're thrilled to invite you to share your captivating rocketry-related images with us. By submitting your photos here, you have the exciting opportunity to contribute to our rocketry community and potentially see your work featured on our platforms.

Virtual Membership Cards

Published On 8/19/2022

Tripoli is pleased to announce a new enhancement to membership. Now, members can download a virtual copy of their membership card.

Tripoli Motor Testing Committee Chair

Published On 9/14/2024

On August 26, of this year, Alan Whitmore passed away suddenly. A man of many interests and talents, his passing was both sudden and unexpected. His passing is a loss to all his close friends and associates as well as Tripoli as an organization.

Two New AT Motors Certified by TMT

Published On 5/16/2023

Alan Whitmore and the Tripoli Motor Testing Committee completed two new certifications in April and May of 2023. These newly certified motors include the Aerotech H14ST and the Aerotech N4000W.

Published On 1/30/2023

Alan Whitmore and the Tripoli Motor Testing Committee completed two new certifications in December, 2022, and two more in early January, 2023.

Recertification of a re-designed Motor

Published On 1/10/2023

On January 7, 2023, the TMT Committee tested and re-certified the re-designed Aerotech O5280X.

New Motor Certifications January 2023

Published On 1/8/2023

The Tripoli Motor Testing Committee met on December 4, 2022 and January 7, 2023 and certified three new Aerotech motors.

Published On 6/15/2025

The Tripoli Rocketry Association is pleased to announce that Paul Snow (TRA11248) has been appointed Chair of the Outreach Committee.

Published On 9/17/2025

The September issue of High Power Rocketry and Tripoli Report is available for download...

Published On 3/16/2025

The March 2025 of High Power Rocketry and Tripoli Report now available for download,

Published On 12/15/2024

The December 2024 issue if High Power Rocketry / Tripoli Report is now available for download.

Published On 9/26/2025

BALLS 33 brought a wave of high-flying achievements and a few new names in the Tripoli record books.

Published On 7/21/2025

Tripoli Rocketry Association is proud to announce that John Clifton of Smyrna, Georgia, has officially joined the ranks of our Million Feet Award recipients!

Published On 2/10/2025

TRA Contest and Records Committee did a refresh to the rules and application. It is on the TRA Website now. Thanks for feedback over the years and thanks to those on the committee that have helped!

Published On 8/5/2024

Congratulations to Greg Morgan from Clovis, California, for earning the Million Feet Award for Cumulative Altitude, recognizing his achievement of surpassing 1,000,000 feet across multiple flights.

Published On 6/21/2024

Brett Bachman and George Barnes have recently achieved the Million Feet Award for accumulating over 1,000,000 feet in cumulative altitude through multiple flights using certified or research motors in various configurations.

Published On 10/26/2023

We are excited to share that Adrian Adamson, from Lakewood, CO, has established a new altitude record on 10/15/2023. Adrian's remarkable achievement soared to an impressive 10,136 feet in the Single category, utilizing a Single-Stage F class at the Hartsel, CO launch site.

Bryce Chanes Sets New Record

Published On 9/22/2023

During BALLS 31 in Black Rock, Nevada, Bryce Chanes set a record for Handicapped - Single Stage O altitude of 3,920 ft.

New Records Committee Chair

Published On 4/20/2023

We are delighted to announce the appointment of Gerald Meux as the new Chairman of the Tripoli Records Committee.

Published On 4/29/2025

Due to BLM restrictions at Black Rock, Tripoli’s planned liquid motor flights will instead take place at Airfest 31 in Argonia, Kansas, thanks to the support of the Kloudbusters. The event runs August 29–September 1, 2025.

Published On 8/23/2024

For the past three years, the Tripoli Research Committee along with the Tripoli Board of Directors have been evaluating the feasibility of allowing bi-propellant liquid motor flights to occur at Tripoli sanctioned launches. I am pleased to announce ...

Published On 6/1/2022

The Erik Gates Memorial Scholarship Fund annually awards an educational scholarship to assist in the continued education of the award recipient. If you or a family member is interested in pursuing this scholarship please look at the eligibility requirements and information on how to submit an application. Applications must be received on or before June 30, 2022.

2022 Erik Gates Scholarship

Published On 1/18/2022

The Erik Gates Memorial Scholarship Committee is pleased to announce that applications for the 2022 year are now being accepted.

Published On 1/30/2021

Applications have opened for the 2021 Erik Gates Scholarship, with three scholarships on offer in 2021...

Published On 6/11/2025

The Tripoli Rocketry Association is pleased to announce the appointment of Eric Cayemberg as the new Chairman of the Technical Advisory Panel (TAP), effective immediately.

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