Well those small black powder cardboard disposable motors (electrical ignition et all) is exactly what R-3 had. But they didn't get very high and their parachute opened when gases from combustion expanded to the upper part of rocket... They didn't get much higher than ordinary firework rockets (and sometimes they did the, not so spectacular, 'bang' thingy)...

Its parachute didn't work quite that well, and often rocket came down without andy kind of deceleration. They often ended up in bushes, streams or worse so it was very difficult to find/recover them. We had a very rich rocket club activity here but the unfortunate events leveled it to the almost nonexistant level...

I've looked into a link you provided (thanks) and could almost feel balsa under my scalpel again :) I've even seen hydrogen driven rocket (200 ft max alt) with referal to estes scientist's work (I've recently read their vhdl guidelines)... Nice concept - tap water, current and - here we go!

Well, the prices are moderate (although my mC projects are taxing my budget too thin already) and for some items courier are mandatory. I wonder how they treat non-EU states as destination (extra money, etc)... I'll keep an open eye on the just in case :)

There was interesting project with sending can-size equipment to space at a very moderate price. I've really took that into consideration, but was unable to fit it into my schedule at the time :( Being around radio-amateurs sure brings unusual events...

There is an ancient long discussion on size vs technique, but however you manage to achieve high altitude it is impressive.

I'd like to see more of it, and I don't believe that 'on-board' sensory equipment/computer discussion would be much off topic here.

To repeat mself once more - I really like your work, send my regards to the friend of yours and continue the good thing!

Best luck,
CN