Q0. What is "Experimental Aerospace"?
  In our Mission Statement we offer these definitions:
        Experimental: Activities undertaken for the purposes of research, education, and product development.
        Aerospace: Technologies related to rocketry and spacecraft.
Some people and organizations use the terms "Amateur", "Experimental", or "EX" to mean the activity of making your own rocket motors.  Our term "Experimental Aerospace" is intended to be much broader and refer to a serious approach of scientific inquiry about the theory, design, construction, and operation of all aspects of rocketry and space travel.  To practice Experimental Aerospace, it is not necessary to construct your own motors.  It is necessary to follow scientific method, use appropriate safety precautions, comply with applicable laws, and conduct your experiments for the purposes of increasing your knowledge.  We then encourage sharing the results of your experiments so others may also learn from them.

Q1. Why should I join the International Experimental Aerospace Society?
  Because IEAS supports your rocketry and aerospace research, providing the things you need:

A1. Opportunity:  Aerospace has many exciting facets that will test and expand your technological skills; we're on the cutting edge.  Unless you work for a large national space program, defense contractor, or University research group, you probably don't have the opportunity to explore rocketry and space technologies to the level you can with IEAS.

A2. Inspiration:  We set ambitious goals,  learn how to achieve them, then accomplish them.   Associating with our other members will change your concepts of what is possible to you.

A3. Knowledge:  The examples and assistance of our experienced members will help you learn quickly.  Our publications, continuously updated on-line knowledgebase, technical advisors,  and targeted research projects ensure that you will have access to the best information  available to the amateur experimental community.

A4. Protection:  We share information to help you plan your projects so they are safe and successful.
We help you stay informed of current and upcoming regulatory issues so you stay legal.
We work with the regulating authorities to preserve your rights to perform your research.
We coordinate  insurance coverage to protect you, our organization, and site property owners.

A5. Cooperation:  You can accomplish a lot more when cooperating with others.  By dividing up large projects among several members,  we can undertake projects too large for an individual.

A6. Locations:  It is our goal that every member have access to safe, legal, and convenient locations for experimental activities.

A7. Grant Information:  We search for grant opportunities to help you offset some research projects costs.

A8. Opportunities to share:  Part of the rewards of gaining expertise in an area, is the opportunity to share your knowledge with others.  We especially wish to teach and inspire youth and to encourage them to study math, science, and engineering so they too can contribute to scientific advancement and man's exploration of our universe.

A9. Freedom:   We offer information and support while you maintain full control over your projects.

A10. Camaraderie:  The opportunity to communicate with members with similar interests from around the world.  Even to get together at chapter meetings, conferences, and events to actually meet some of the people you've only known on-line.

Q2. Can't I do these same things in another organization?
   Most rocketry organizations do not allow the use of experimental propulsion systems, while others only permit certain narrowly-defined  activities.  There are other experimental organizations, but most are centered around specific locations or specific projects.  IEAS is the only organization of international scope available to average citizens that is open to all areas of aerospace experimentation.  Experimental rocketry has never been internationally represented as a whole. Model Rocketry, and now High Power Rocketry, are well represented to regulatory agencies however, at present these groups do not support a wide range of experimental opportunities.

Q3. Why doesn't a group like IEAS already exist?
  Several have tried.  Some have moved on to other missions that no longer include amateur rocketry.  Many simply folded from lack of participation.  Some still exist but maintain fairly narrow geographic or technical focus.  The internet has provided the means for a group of our scope to finally be feasible.  Current events have been a call to action, and a few individuals have stepped forward to start the ball rolling and set the vision for what we can become.

Q4. Can't I do these same things by myself?
  Some of them.  That is how it has mostly been done for the last several decades.  However not only is it more productive and fun to work with others, there are also significant safety benefits and great learning opportunities.  Recent events have shown that we also need to work together to defend our rights.

Q5. I don't have an IEAS chapter near me.  Can I just join individually?
  Yes, chapter membership is not a requirement.  We encourage members to get together and form chapters so they have more opportunities to meet face-to-face and work together on projects and to share the labor and costs of developing safe production, testing, and launch locations & facilities. It is also more fun and productive to share the experience and cooperate.

Q6. Is what you're doing legal?
  That depends upon the laws of your country and location.  We attempt to catalog the regulations of many countries to help experimenters to better understand their specific situations.  In many locations, the answer is yes, and IEAS will help ensure that it remains so and that you have the information to stay in compliance with the law.  Fortunately aerospace is a large subject and there will always be many subjects for productive research even in the most restrictive environments.

Q7. Isn't experimental rocketry dangerous?
   Much of "experimental aerospace" is actually theoretical and design research using books and computers.  Many types of experiments do not even involve the making of custom motors.  We encourage new members to start out with low risk commercial Model Rockets to develop their skills and learn good scientific method and careful procedures.  After mastering the many aspects of rocketry in general, those wishing to better understand the propulsion topics may wish to learn motor design and construction techniques and more advanced topics.  These advanced activities do have inherent dangers which must be considered.  At every level, our goal is to learn how to understand and avoid these risks.

Q8. By making this information public, aren't you helping terrorists?
  The bad guys already have more potentially destructive technology than anything we could develop.  Also, the cost and complexity of building an amateur rocket is so high and reliability & accuracy so low compared to the alternatives that it just wouldn't make sense for someone to try to use an amateur rocket as a weapon.  Our research is scientific in nature, and will have little value for military/terrorist applications.  We have no interest in, nor will we allow the posting of, information of a weapons-specific nature.

Q9. What if there is an accident?  Can I be sued?
   We try to eliminate the potential for accidents by educating our members on the safest techniques for each phase of our activities, and providing warnings of potential risks.  However, life is filled with all sorts of risks and nothing can completely eliminate the dangers inherent in this or any other activity.  To help protect our members, we unfortunately find it necessary to implement two defensive measures:  First, a waiver of liability statement to be read and signed by members as part of application and by any guest attending a sponsored event.  Second, liability insurance to protect the officers, board of directors, members, and site owner/operators.

Q10. Can I also fly commercially made motors at IEAS experimental launches?
   The question is not "Who made this motor?" it is "How how well do you understand the risks of this test?".  All tests and flights at experimental events, regardless of motor type,  must meet the site safety criteria as administered by the site Safety Officer and be conducted in the spirit of serious research.  We love flying rockets just for fun also, but our core mission is scientific research and serious experiments will have priority over recreational flying.   Event planners may schedule times of purely recreational launches that have a more relaxed atmosphere but equal attention to safety.

Q11. How can I help the organization?
More experienced members might volunteer to be Technical Advisor for a topic.  Regardless of level of expertise, anyone can act as a Technical Assistant and collect, develop, or edit material for these areas.

There are some general tasks that every member can help with:

1. Review and comment on draft documents posted on the web site   (send comments to the Secretary)
2. Research local regulations in your area and watch for proposed changes or public comment periods
3. Search for available test and launch sites in your area
4. Search the web for useful links either for the Other Links page, or specific information related to topics in the Technical section.
5. Propose research ideas for the Projects page
6. Share the results of your experiments.
7. Perform a research project and come up with new information to add to our Knowledgebase
8. Discuss IEAS with potential members you meet  (but please leave public announcements up to the leadership)
9. Volunteer to local schools to do talks/demonstrations about rocket science.  (Let us know if you do this so we can keep records of volunteer time  & events.  Also, we can help prepare the presentation materials)
10. Search used book stores and on-line sources for rocketry books for our Library or to donate to schools.
11. Catalog local suppliers of commonly used materials & tools
12. Evaluate vendors and compontents

13. Study!
15. Experiment!
16. Take a First Aid course
17. Take a local Community Education or Vo/Tech course in Metalworking or other skill
18. Participate in other rocketry and space exploration advocacy groups and stay inspired to explore.

Q12. I want to build a rocket motor for my Jr. High School science fair.  What chemicals should I use?
   There are many other aspects to rocketry that make good topics for class projects or Science Fairs.  Check the event rules to see what types of experiments are permitted.  If you are sure that you want to discuss propulsion, we recommend first starting out with either non-combustion motors,  such as Water Rockets or baking soda/vinegar, or with small commercially available rocket kits and motors.  There are several very good sources of  information available, some of which are on our Technical Pages under the School Projects topic. Design and construction of combustion solid or liquid fueled motors is complex and requires math and science skills that are generally not acquired until later in your education.    If you do feel prepared to start experimenting in this area, it is essential to find an experienced adult mentor to assist you.  See the next FAQ topic for additional advice. Our main concern is for your safety, whatever your age.  Rocketry is a fascinating activity with many subjects to explore; do not rush into the higher risk areas before you are ready.

Q13. How should I get started in Experimental Aerospace?
  First undertake a serious program of studying to thoroughly understand the necessary information before you ever attempt to mix propellant or fire an experimental motor.  Here is our Advice for Novices.  Our Technical pages are only an overview of the processes involved and cannot replace the role of an experienced mentor.  Also be aware that many locations have age restrictions for purchasing certain materials or participating in certain activities.