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X-Last-Updated: 1997/09/25
From: [email protected] (Wolfram v.Kiparski)
Newsgroups: rec.models.rockets,rec.answers,news.answers
Subject: rec.models.rockets FAQ Part 14 - Amateur Rocketry
Followup-To: rec.models.rockets
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Distribution: world
Reply-To: [email protected]
Summary: This posting contains a list of Frequently Asked Questions
(and their answers) about Model and High Power Consumer Rocketry
Approved: [email protected]
Originator: [email protected]
Date: 07 May 2002 12:02:30 GMT
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Archive-name: model-rockets/amateur
Rec-models-rockets-archive-name: rockets-faq/part14
Posting-Frequency: monthly
Last-modified: 1997 September 25
URL: http://dtm-corp.com/~sven/rockets/rmrfaq.toc.html

Rec.Models.Rockets Frequently Asked Questions: PART 14 of 14

AMATEUR ROCKETRY

14.1 DISCLAIMER:

The following information does not constitute an endorsement of
amateur rocketry in any way, shape, or form by the editor(s)
of this FAQ, or the general readership of rec.models.rockets.
Due to the number of requests for information on this form of
rocketry, the following information is provided.
Pursue at your own risk.
------------------------------------------------------

14.2 How do I make my own rocket motors?

NOTICE:

Many among the readership have an interest in this subject, and discussion
threads about amateur rocketry activities always appear.
Even though the name of the newsgroup, rec.models.rockets, suggests that
the newsgroup is for model rockets only, this is not entirely true. High
power rocketry is a favorite topic among r.m.r. denizens. And similarly,
amateur rocketry is also discussed, albeit in a limited way.
However, questions like:

"What should I mix together so that I can make my own rocket motors?"
"Anyone know of any good formulas for rocket propellant?"

are STRONGLY DISCOURAGED. Discussion about rocket motor design and
fabrication is beyond the scope of rec.models.rockets. Most of the
participants of rec.models.rockets buy commercially available model and
high power rocket motors for use in their rockets. Few have the expertise
to instruct you on the intricacies of rocket motor design and construction,
and most likely will not instruct you on rec.models.rockets.
Rocket motor construction is a non-trivial task. It is a task that goes
much beyond merely having a propellant formula to use.
You need to know much more than you might initially suspect, and even
then you might make a mistake and get seriously injured or even killed.
Even knowledgeable professionals have been known to have accidents.
If you are having difficulty obtaining commercially manufactured rocket
motors, and think that you can simply make your own, please think about it
more, and please give these warnings some serious consideration. Inquire
as to the availability of commercially manufactured motors. Check out the
list of manufacturers in Part 2 of the FAQ.

From ([email protected])
" I suppose that an article on cheap model rocketry would not be complete
without at least some comment on the sorts of advertisements that read
"build your own rocket engines for only pennies apiece." While I personally
am not the sort of person who would categorically condemn those people
interested in making their own rocket motors, I do feel that model rocket
motors are one of the places where you do get your money's worth. While it
may be possible to build your own motors using only a few cents worth of
chemicals, there is a lot left unsaid. Some of these unvoiced gotchas
include:

1) In order to get to the pennies each price range, you have to buy your
chemicals in large amounts, so your out-of-pocket expenses are high.
2) You have to make or buy various special tools for making the motors.
3) You'll need assorted amounts of safety equipment and test fixtures,
beyond the actual construction tools.
4) You'll need a relatively large land area for your testing.
5) You'll probably be engaging in what the local police will consider
illegal activities, both in making your motors, and in using them.
It doesn't take much of a lawyer's time to cancel out your savings!
6) The finished "cheap" motors are unlikely to have delay or ejection
charges, and will vary a great deal from motor to motor in performance.

"I'm also interested in amateur pyrotechnics, and recently bought a copy of
"The Best of American Fireworks News, Volume 2." There are a couple of
excerpts in there that are particularly telling. One article mentions using
commercial A8-3 rocket engines as a "quick and easy way" to make skyrockets.
This is followed up by another comment that includes:

"I have made rocket engines from scratch for years, but
have just recently discovered that the time savings,
reliability, and better performance of commercial engines
make them a viable alternative."

"These are discouraging remarks for the would-be motor maker, but the most
important reason NOT to make your own motors is implied in item (5) above -
"Model Rocketry" enjoys certain legal exemptions because it has shown itself
to be an exceptionally safe hobby over the years. If you make your own
motors, you are no longer protected under those exemptions - you are no
longer participating in "Model Rocketry". If you happen to have or cause a
major accident, the press won't be clued in to this distinction, so aside
from the people who actually got hurt, the reputation of the hobby will be
damaged, and we'll be another step closer to having model rocketry outlawed."

Have you read Part 1 of the FAQ yet? Here are a few repeat items to
consider:

From Buzz McDermott ([email protected])
"Finally, the editor of this document wishes to get on his soapbox for
just one moment and add the term 'stupid rocketry' to cover all those
who attempt to casually produce their own rocket fuel and/or motors
without the benefit of very serious study, and implementation, of the
processes involved and safety measures required. Especially note
that this comment is NOT aimed at serious amateur rocketry
organizations, college level research, etc. End of soapbox."

In summary:
The bottom line is that rec.models.rockets is primarily a newsgroup for
discussing *consumer* rocketry (which covers model rocketry and high
power rocketry). Some amateur issues are discussed, but these are not
the primary focus of the group. Manufacturing your own rocket motors can
be a very dangerous thing to do, unless done properly, and with extreme
care. The odds are you will not make motors that are of any higher quality,
total impulse, reliability, or cost less than pre-manufactured consumer
rocket motors.

It is the opinion of the editor(s) of this FAQ that you should NOT try
to manufacture your own motors. If, however, you insist on partaking
in amateur rocketry, then the editor(s) of this FAQ urge you to get in
contact with an established amateur rocketry group for guidance and
assistance.
------------------------------------------------------

14.3 My primary interest is in amateur rocketry.
Where can I find information about amateur rocketry?

Aside from going to college and earning an aerospace engineering degree,
there are organizations dedicated to the serious pursuit of research and
development in the field of amateur rocketry. The editor
suggests contacting one of the organizations listed below. These
suggestions are not endorsements, and the author of Part 14 of the FAQ
is personally unfamiliar with these organizations.

Mojave Rocket and Technical Society
http://www.mrts.com

Pacific Rocket Society Well-established amateur
1825 North Oxnard Blvd., Suite 24 rocketry association.
Oxnard, CA 93030 Established in 1946.
[email protected]
http://www.asesur.com/prs

Reaction Research Society Well-established amateur
P.O. Box 90306 rocketry association.
World Way Postal Center
Los Angeles, CA 90009
http://www.rrs.org
------------------------------------------------------
14.4 Amateur rocketry on the Internet

REC.MODELS.ROCKETS

In case you haven't read any other part of the FAQ yet, amateur rocketry
on the Internet IS NOT rec.models.rockets. Read Parts 1 and 14 of
this FAQ.

REC.PYROTECHNICS

Questions related to rocket motor propellant formulation, rocket
motor construction, etc. should be posted on rec.pyrotechnics.
Discussion threads about these subjects always appear there.
Get their FAQ for even more information.

AMROCNET MAILING LIST

The AmRocNet mailing list is for the discussion of all aspects of "amateur
rocket and motor construction". This includes discussions relating to
amateur rocket designs, making motors, safety, laws, events, experiences,
news, reviews, commentary and other items which could be described as of
general interest to amateur rocket people.
To join the AmRocNet mailing list send the following Email:

-----<begin sample Email to listproc>-----

To: <[email protected]>
Subject: .

subscribe amrocnet Your Real Name

-----<end sample Email to listproc>-----

WORLD WIDE WEB

From Tim Patterson ([email protected]):
I have recently created a new rocketry web page. It has info and links
regarding High Power solids, amateur liquids and other interesting
stuff. Check it out at: http://www.primenet.com/~monoply

How to Design, Build and Test Small Liquid-Fuel Rocket Engines
is a small (66 pages) booklet published by ROCKETLAB in 1967.
As such, it is somewhat dated, but is nonetheless interesting.
You can read it at:

http://www.im.lcs.mit.edu/rocket/

Tom Peregrin's Pyrotechnic Web page
Tom routinely contributes to rec.models.rockets whenever
pyrotechnic issues arise.
http://mercury.aichem.arizona.edu/~tip/pyro.html

Greg Gallacci's Pyrotechnic Journal
http://psychserve.psych.washington.edu/pyro.htm

Blue Sky
a website devoted to composite rocket motor making
http://www.tiac.net/users/bluesky/rockets/

Tom Dimok's Pyrotechnic Web Page
loads of links, information, and advice
http://tad1.cit.cornell.edu/Tom/Pyro/MyPyro.html

------------------------------------------------------
14.5 Manufacturers, suppliers, publishers, and consultants

The following addresses do not constitute an endorsement of
amateur rocketry in any way, shape, or form by the editor(s)
of this FAQ, or the general readership of rec.models.rockets.
Due to the number of requests for information on this form of
rocketry the following addresses are provided as potential sources
for more information. Pursue at your own risk.

Aerocon new and used aerospace hardware,
P.O. Box 432 parachutes, books, liquid motors,
Los Gatos, CA 95031 and more...
(408) 450-0704 Catalog - $2.00

Commonwealth Displays, Inc. Chemicals for solid propellants
12649 Dix
Southgate, MI 48195 Catalog: $3.00
(313) 282-1055
email: [email protected]
WWW: http://www.commonwealth.net/rockets/cdi.html

CP Technologies Books, videos, and supplies for
4010A South Poplar, Suite 23 building ammonium nitrate
Casper, WY 82601 composite propellant motors
(307) 265-5895 Catalog - FREE (see website)
email: [email protected]
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/jwickman/homepage.htm

Digatek black powder and composite
Suite 200 propellant formulas and motor
2723 West Butler Drive making information
Phoenix, AZ 85051
[email protected] Catalog - FREE

Firefox Enterprises Pyrotechnic supplies, amateur
P.O. Box 5366 rocketry supplies.
Pocatello, ID 83202
(208) 237-1976 Catalog: $3.00
http://bf.axxess.net/pages/firefox/

Gas Dynamics Lab publishes a book on rocket motor
P.O. Box 465 design
Watkinsville, GA 30677
[email protected]
http://personal.lig.bellsouth.net/~jelanier

Journal of Pyrotechnics technical journal on pyrotechnics
1775 Blair Road published twice yearly
Whitewater, CO 81527
(970) 245-0692
[email protected]

Prodyne, Inc. Solid rocket motor fuel grains,
P.O. Box 12806 chemicals, processing
Ogden, UT 84412-2806 equipment.
Catalog: $2.00

Propulsion Systems, Inc. Books, software, chemicals, and
Amateur Rocketry Division hardware for composite
P.O.Box 130077 propellant motor design and
Edmond, OK 73013 fabrication.
(405) 478-5806 Catalog - $3.00

Rogers Aeroscience PC software for rocket flight
P.O. Box 10065 prediction includes drag modeling
Lancaster CA 93584-0065 thru the hypersonic regime;
(818) 349-4825 * free info *
email: [email protected]

Rosenfield Consulting Services Consulting service for fuel
1955 South Palm Street, Suite 15 formulations, gov't approval
Las Vegas, NV 89104 processes, etc.
(702) 641-9478 (voice)
(702) 641-1883 (fax) FREE brochure and price list
email: [email protected]

RPS Rocket motor kits, tooling,
207 Lewis Drive and info on making rocket
Richmond, KY 40475 motors

Skylighter, Inc. Pyrotechnic supplies
PO Box 480-W chemicals, books, equipment,
Round Hill, VA 20142-0480 supplies, etc.
(540) 554-4543
(540) 554-2849 (Fax) Catalog - $3.00 (USA)
[email protected] (Email) (see website)
http://www.skylighter.com

Systems Solaire Plans for an amateur rocket
4414 Notre Dame motor which utilizes
Chomeday, Laval, Quebec gasoline as the fuel source.
CANADA H7W-1T6

Teleflite Corporation Information and supplies for
11620 Kitching Street making your own rocket motors
Moreno Valley, CA 92387-9978 black powder motor making
David G. Sleeter <[email protected]> Catalog - $2.00

---------------------------------------
Copyright (c) 1996, 1997 Wolfram von Kiparski, editor.
Refer to Part 00 for the full copyright notice.