7 replies to this topic

[richard]

Can rocket motors be constructed for you own use in the uk as opposed to buying them?, If so what is the crieteria of obtaining permission and who do you speak to about storage of motors, pyrotechnic compounds ect

[Richard H]

I'm afraid rocket motor construction is under the same legislative umbrella as pyrotechnics, And you can't legally manufacture motors without the paperwork and storage.

The HSE and local authorities are the people you register your factory site and storage for you.

[lach2]

Hi I am from Australia and studyied chemistry and physics at high school, i have an interest in projectile motion and am tring to make a rocket like base to launch potatos into orbit. I have made small amounts of potassium chlorate and have looked at rocket engines, what is the best way to project a potato.

[nickpatts]

hehe,the first potato in space,can't wait to see the moon landing sorry i had no usefull info for this just made me giggle abit.

Nick

[Matt]

i would say rocket. Mainly because if you tried to blast a potato into space it would more than likely explode cos of the force required. I dont think that all the potato's which have been in space for food would appreciate theyre lack of recognition of being the first, poor lil fella's

[robert johnson]

brings a new meaning to space junk.may be Mcdonalds would be interested

[leniol]

Due to the fact that I find it easier & cheaper to get KClO3 than KNO3, I've played around quite a lot with chlorate rockets. Firstly, I only use charcoal with it making something like H3 (so I believe...) When made into a rocket this seems to work well. 14g KClO3 & 6g C will make you a couple of rockets that'll fly a 100 ft or so:cool:

[Robbie414]

Well spuds in space...what a thought!
Seriously though we are talking about major major forces just to get the rocket itself into sub-orbital space...nevermind orbit! But you ain't gonna do it with those sorts of comps. Real rocketry is serious science...see www.nakka-rocketry.net Richard Nakka is the god of sugar rockets, I mean his rockets are almost works of art. In decades of firing and testing he has never managed to get a rocket into suborbital space, I'm not being rude Leni but I think you should lower your goal by a few Kilometre's! Check out Richards site, make some simple PVC pipe sugar rockets...cheap and very very powerful! we are talking hundreds of Nm's of thrust from a bag of sugar!
Have fun, good luck and stay safe.

PS you could always try strapping a thousand estes motors to the bottom of a spud carved into a rocket shape? let me know how you get on:D