Johannes Kepler (1571-1630)-

Johannes Kepler's Personal Creed:

• I believe ... that the World of Nature, the World of Man, the World of G-d---all three fit together. We see how G-d, like a human architect, approached the founding of the world according to order and rule and measured everything in such a manner.
• I believe ... that together with the Holy Scriptures came the book of Nature. Should the kind Creator who brought forth nature out of nothing deprive the spirit of man...of every heavenly delight. I had the intention of becoming a theologian ... but now I see how G-d is, by my endeavors, also glorified in astronomy for the heavens declare the glory of G-d.
• I believe ... that our Creator has given us a spirit in addition to the senses, for another reason that merely to provide living for ourselves ... Man's soul is something quite different from the others part of man, and the soul is kept alive, enriched and grows by that food called knowledge. I am eager to publish my observations in G-d's honor who wishes to be recognized from the book of Nature. I am a Christian.
• I believe ... only and alone in the service of Jesus Christ ... in Him is all refuge and solace.

From Kepler's Mysterium Cosmographicum:

Thus G-d himself
Was too kind to remain idle.
And began to play the game of signatures,
Signing his likeness into the world.

From Kepler's Harmony of the Worlds:

Great is G-d our L-rd, great is His power and there is no end to His wisdom. Praise Him, you heavens, glorify Him, sun and moon and you planets. For out of Him, through Him, and in Him are all things ... We know, oh, so little. To Him be the praise, the honor and the glory from eternity to eternity.

Source: Johannes Kepler: Giant of Faith and Science by John Hudson Tiner

Isaac Newton (1642-1727) -

• On the sun and other heavenly bodies:

This most beautiful system of the sun, planets, and comets, could only proceed from the counsel and dominion of an intelligent Being.

• On the L-rd of the heavens:

This Being governs all things, not as the soul of the world, but as L-rd of all; ...

• On atheism:

Atheism is so senseless. When I look at the solar system, I see the earth at the right distance from the sun to receive the proper amounts of heat and light. This did not happen by chance.

• On the solar system:

The motions of the planets require a Divine Arm to impress them.

• On G-d, his Savior:

The true G-d is a living, intelligent and powerful being.

• On the trials of life:

Trials are medicines which our gracious and wise physician gives because we need them; and he proportions the frequency and weight of them to what the case requires. Let us trust his skill and thank him for his prescription.

• On G-d's presence:

His (G-d's) duration reaches from eternity to eternity. His presence from infinity to infinity.

• On the Bible:

I have a fundamental belief in the Bible as the Word of G-d, written by men who were inspired. I study the Bible daily.

Source: Isaac Newton: Inventor, Scientist, and Teacher by John Hudson Tiner

High Altitude Balloons

Another use of amateur radio is in high altitude balloon experiments. In Colorado the Edge of Space Sciences uses amateur radio as a tool in conducting scientific experiments. Various concerns have contacted EOSS to provide payload space for high altitude research. Some of these "customers" have included students from NASA's Space Grant Consortium universities as well as a private company designing new methods for planetary exploration for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Amateur radio is used to monitor the flight, verify experimental data, experiment telecommand, and as a means to allow recovery of the payload after landing. Sometimes the RMRL's crossband repeater is flown allowing for VHF/UHF communication over an area of 400 miles. EOSS has a remarkable "instant" payload recovery rate of nearly 99% (100% if one "lost" payload that was recovered a month later is counted). Anyone within range of the CRA's repeater on 147.225⁺ may participate in the weekly EOSS net on Tuesday evenings (except the second Tuesday of the month) at 8:00 P.M.  Preflight nets are held the Friday evening preceeding a launch at 8:00 PM on the 147.225⁺ repeater.

EOSS's motto is "Promoting Science and Education through Amateur Radio and High Altitude Balloons." The education aspect is highly emphasized. If you live in or near Colorado, are an educator, work with young people interested in science, or know someone who is, please click here for introductory information concerning our serving the educational community.

KI�DZ has served as EOSS's Education Committee Chair.  Her entire family has participated in numerous launches on the Tracking and Recovery Team.  Helping with tracking and recovery operations has helped KI�DZ's children learn direction-finding techniques.  The family's preferred antenna for this purpose is one that uses "time of arrival" to determine direction.

Photos from EOSS-39, May 2000

The EOSS Van	Ready for Launch	Up, Up, and Away!
Photos from EOSS-84 September 18, 2004
	"Victorious" Crew at Recovery Site

Learn More About Balloons in Science

Model Rocketry

Model Rocketry can be great for father-son or whole family involvement. Informally the Bartels  family has been involved in model rocketry for several years, and has used Estes rockets powered by A- through D- sized engines.  These photographs were taken in 2001 from the field behind Community in Christ Lutheran Brethren Church.

Astrocam nosecone on Ionizer body	Waiting for launch (of Mighty Mite)
Preparing for Launch	Recovery Team

Model rockets are discussed on the rec.models.rockets newsgroup

Please e-mail me your favorite rocket-related web sites for inclusion in a list of links. Have you ever purchased rocket supplies online? Please let me know your experience, either good or bad. I'm contemplating compiling a list of reputable online dealers.

This page was last modified November 20, 2006.

Comments and suggestions concerning this page may be directed to [email protected].