How was your Christmas on Monday? Did you get that special rocketry item that you had your eye on?

When we got back into the office onTuesday we sent out 8 videos that go over the construction of the Draco BG rocket kit. These new videos show the completion of the assembly of the rocket. The Draco BG is an innovative rocket boosted glider inspired by the formidable Ground Launched Small Diameter Bomb (GLSDB). At apogee, the glider jetisons the booster, and unfolds its wings for a majestic glide back to the ground.

We also released our final kit of the year, the Catalyst. This is based on our new 3-inch diameter nose cone, and it stands about 36 inches tall. With a 29mm diameter motor, you can literally use one hundred different rocket motors to put it skyward. Go low and slow, or zoom and climb to conquer space and time!

There was also an introduction video of the catalyst released this week too. You'll find it on the Catalyst product page.

The National Association of Rocketery announced this week that registration for the virtual NARCON is now open. There are only a few weeks before the event at the end of January. Sign up here. Tim will be doing presentation on making ultra-lightweight carbon fiber rockets using 2-piece molds. This is cutting edge technology if you want to make the most advanced rockets in the world. Tim uses them for international competition, but you can use the same process for making high performance high-power rockets too. Some of the other sessions also look very interesting, so you'll be getting a lot of value out of this conference. Don't miss it.

This afternoon, we still have the RockSim Live (Friday) at 2 p.m. Mountain Time zone. If you have questions on how to use Rocksim or how to get information from it, please feel welcome to join us.

December Rocketry Tool-of-the-Month: Apogee Hobby Knife

This is the last opportunity! The offer ends at midnight on December 31st.

Our December Tool-of-the-Month is the Apogee Hobby Knife.

We think that this utility hobby knife will be the most used tool in your workshop. Machined from durable aluminum and finished with a vibrant red anodized coating, this knife is custom engineered for precision work.

Its replaceable razor-sharp #11-type hobby blade provides a sharp edge that can tackle any task, from cutting body tubes and fins to carving balsa components and trimming delicate decals. Make clean cuts in paper, slots in body tubes, and slits for shock cords. You'll feel the pride of using a high-quality tool from a trusted name in the hobby.

Why are we offering this Tool-of-the-Month?

We believe that if you find construction of rockets fun, easy, hassle free, and that it goes quicker because you have some simple tools in your arsenal, you'll stick with rocketry for a longer time. You'll have the skills to make really great rockets, and you'll want to show off your models to other modelers. You win because you have a more enjoyable experience, and we win because you'll be a customer well into the future. We're investing in your skills, because we want you to be our customer for a lifetime. And maybe you'll recommend us to your rocketry friends and any newbies that you mentor.

While you can buy this hobby knife separately, you can have them free when you order $50 worth of other merchandise before December 31. Visit this link for additional instructions to claim your free machinist square.

What is Coming Up Next Week?

New Year's Day is on Monday, and the team here at Apogee Components has the day off. Our website is always open, so you can still place orders. We'll ship everything out on Tuesday, January 2 when we're back.

Also on Tuesday, we'll be releasing Peak-of-Flight Newsletter #616. This one covers that hot topic of A.I.. Your question might be, how will we be using A.I. in the future? Our product designer Martin Jay McKee will be answering that question for you in this newsletter.

Check your email inbox next Tuesday.