INTRODUCTION U.S. Rockets was founded in 1980 by advanced model rocketeers to serve an expanding definition of consumer rocketeers. U.S. Rockets products poineered the concept and definition of Large Model Rockets (LMR) which are now defined as under 125g (0.28 pounds) propellant and under 1500g (3.3 pounds) liftoff weight. This is the current definition of a "model rocket" in the NAR safety code.

In 1984 U.S. Rockets succeeded in convincing NAR to consider studying High Power Rockets (HPR) for inclusion into the safety code regime. NAR formed a commission to study rockets which exceeded the then safety code limits of propellant and liftoff weight. The result of a NAR multiyear study during which several other associations formed to serve HPR consumers, was that NAR decided to adopt HPR as a valid consumer sport and define a safety code almost identical to the USR version (except excessive offset distances): the NAR HPR safety code. Following that NAR codified these codes and other rules into NFPA-1122 and NFPA-1127 in cooperation with other industry groups and interested parties including all major manufacturers.