experimental and high-power rocketry

Experimental and Experimental and High-PowerHigh-Power

RocketryRocketry

FROM BOB BRASHEARFROM BOB BRASHEAR

MADE BY TONY MADE BY TONY BRASHEARBRASHEAR

IntroductionIntroduction

Some HistorySome History Some DefinitionsSome Definitions Some Technical StuffSome Technical Stuff A Whole Freakin’ Bunch of A Whole Freakin’ Bunch of

RegulationsRegulations OrganizationsOrganizations

SOME HISTORYSOME HISTORY

1950’s: 1950’s:

Explosion of model rocketry.Explosion of model rocketry.

First commercial production of compressed First commercial production of compressed black powder motors for model rockets.black powder motors for model rockets.

Model rocket motor impulse classes A Model rocket motor impulse classes A through B.through B.

Implementation of campaign to kill off Implementation of campaign to kill off experimental/amateur rocketry for experimental/amateur rocketry for “safety” reasons.“safety” reasons.

MORE HISTORYMORE HISTORY

1960’s:1960’s:

Virtual monopoly of commercial model Virtual monopoly of commercial model rocket motors.rocket motors.

Experimenters driven underground and Experimenters driven underground and classified as “basement bombers”.classified as “basement bombers”.

Model rocketry, as we know it today, Model rocketry, as we know it today, matures.matures.

Some work on composite motors for Some work on composite motors for hobby rocketry begins.hobby rocketry begins.

EVEN MORE HISTORYEVEN MORE HISTORY

1970’s:1970’s:

High Powered rocketry enters the High Powered rocketry enters the picture. picture.

EX is still underground. Renegades EX is still underground. Renegades are conducting launches outside of are conducting launches outside of NAR control.NAR control.

Black powder motor impulse classes Black powder motor impulse classes reach F.reach F.

JUST A BIT MORE JUST A BIT MORE HISTORYHISTORY

1980’s:1980’s:

Concerted effort by NAR to kill High Concerted effort by NAR to kill High Power.Power.

Tripoli Rocketry Association is born Tripoli Rocketry Association is born and holds first national launch called and holds first national launch called LDRS (LARGE and DANGEROUS LDRS (LARGE and DANGEROUS ROCKET SHIPS).ROCKET SHIPS).

NAR/Tripoli battle ensues.NAR/Tripoli battle ensues.

SORRY, A BIT MORE SORRY, A BIT MORE HISTORYHISTORY

1990’s:1990’s:

Great Truce. NAR and TRA kiss and Great Truce. NAR and TRA kiss and make up (sort of).make up (sort of).

NAR and TRA recognize each others NAR and TRA recognize each others motor certification lists.motor certification lists.

NAR moves into High Power Rocketry.NAR moves into High Power Rocketry.

TRA does “experimental rocketry”.TRA does “experimental rocketry”.

I PROMISE, THE LAST I PROMISE, THE LAST ONEONE

2000’s:2000’s:

TRA/NAR lawsuit against BATFE.TRA/NAR lawsuit against BATFE.

EX comes out of the closet.EX comes out of the closet.

Battle now between EX and hobby Battle now between EX and hobby rocketry community.rocketry community.

SOME DEFINITIONSSOME DEFINITIONS

Motor Impulse Classes (Total Motor Impulse Classes (Total Impulse)Impulse)

A 1.25A 1.25 2.52.5B 2.51B 2.51 55C 5.01C 5.01 1010D 10.01D 10.01 2020E 20.01E 20.01 4040F 40.01F 40.01 8080

A FEW MORE A FEW MORE DEFINITIONSDEFINITIONS

Motor Impulse Classes (continued)Motor Impulse Classes (continued)

G 80.01G 80.01 160160H 160.01H 160.01 320320I 320.01I 320.01 640640J 640.01J 640.01 12801280K 1280.01K 1280.01 25602560L 2560.01L 2560.01 51205120

AND SOME MORE …AND SOME MORE …

Motor Impulse Classes (continued)Motor Impulse Classes (continued)

M 5120.01M 5120.01 1024010240N 10240.01N 10240.01 2048020480O 20480.01O 20480.01 4096040960P 40960.01P 40960.01 8192081920Q 81920.01Q 81920.01 163840163840R 163840.01R 163840.01 327680327680

TECHNICAL STUFF BP TECHNICAL STUFF BP PART 1PART 1

BLACK POWDER (BP) MOTORS*BLACK POWDER (BP) MOTORS* Black Powder Motor ComponentsBlack Powder Motor Components Black powder motors consist of four primary Black powder motors consist of four primary

components, all of them non reusable. The case is, components, all of them non reusable. The case is, almost always, wound paper. Paper has good almost always, wound paper. Paper has good coefficent of expansion at standard storage coefficent of expansion at standard storage temperatures when loaded with black powder, an item temperatures when loaded with black powder, an item important when you don't want your grain to seperate important when you don't want your grain to seperate from the liner. It also ablates well with the bare flame from the liner. It also ablates well with the bare flame present in the end burn BP motor. Clay is used for the present in the end burn BP motor. Clay is used for the nozzle, due to its low cost and its low ablative nozzle, due to its low cost and its low ablative properties with BP's consistent pressure and burning properties with BP's consistent pressure and burning properties. A delay/smoke column similar to properties. A delay/smoke column similar to composite motor delays is placed at the top of the composite motor delays is placed at the top of the grain. The final item is the loose black powder ejection grain. The final item is the loose black powder ejection charge, which is sealed with either a thin layer of clay charge, which is sealed with either a thin layer of clay or a paper cap. or a paper cap.


Black Powder Motor ManufactureBlack Powder Motor Manufacture Black powder motors are manufactured with Black powder motors are manufactured with

specialized hydraulic pressing machines which specialized hydraulic pressing machines which have precise controls to press black powder into have precise controls to press black powder into the casings. Black Powder has a fine line the casings. Black Powder has a fine line between compression and self ignition, between compression and self ignition, pressures up to 900 to 1000 psi. are typical pressures up to 900 to 1000 psi. are typical pressures for pressing but a slight increase in pressures for pressing but a slight increase in this pressure can lead to combustion. The rear this pressure can lead to combustion. The rear section of the motor then gets a clay nozzle, the section of the motor then gets a clay nozzle, the forward end of the motor gets the delay and forward end of the motor gets the delay and smoke generator charge followed by the ejection smoke generator charge followed by the ejection charge and charge cap.charge and charge cap.


Thrust ClassesThrust Classes Black Powder cannot be easily Black Powder cannot be easily

modulated or enhanced by additives as modulated or enhanced by additives as easily as composite propellants, other easily as composite propellants, other than "effects" additives such as than "effects" additives such as titanium or other metals for spark titanium or other metals for spark effects. This means the only way to effects. This means the only way to produce different thrust motors is to produce different thrust motors is to change the diameter of the grain face change the diameter of the grain face (average thrust) or lengthen the grain (average thrust) or lengthen the grain (total thrust). (total thrust).

TECHNICAL STUFF TECHNICAL STUFF COMPOSITES PART 1COMPOSITES PART 1

Composite vs. Black PowderComposite vs. Black Powder Composite motors are the motors we think of when we Composite motors are the motors we think of when we

think "High Power Rocketry". Black Powder (BP) think "High Power Rocketry". Black Powder (BP) motors become, more and more, temperature sensitive, motors become, more and more, temperature sensitive, the longer and wider the fuel slug is, hence cracks can the longer and wider the fuel slug is, hence cracks can appear in the slug. As black powder has no burn appear in the slug. As black powder has no burn modulation techniques, it inherently burns/ignites more modulation techniques, it inherently burns/ignites more rapidly than composites. A larger surface area from a rapidly than composites. A larger surface area from a crack can over-pressurize a nozzle in microseconds. crack can over-pressurize a nozzle in microseconds. The specific impulses of black powder are very low The specific impulses of black powder are very low compared to composite propellants so more and more compared to composite propellants so more and more energy is wasted in lifting itself, pound for pound, energy is wasted in lifting itself, pound for pound, relative to composite propellant motors. Composite relative to composite propellant motors. Composite motors are safer, requiring a high, consistent heat motors are safer, requiring a high, consistent heat source to ignite, whereas BP can be lit with a spark source to ignite, whereas BP can be lit with a spark

TECHNICAL STUFF TECHNICAL STUFF COMPOSITES PART 2-1COMPOSITES PART 2-1

Composite IngredientsComposite Ingredients Composite Propellant is made of, primarily, two major Composite Propellant is made of, primarily, two major

materials, mixed wet, and then cured into a solid, materials, mixed wet, and then cured into a solid, albeit, rubbery form via an "epoxy style" process. albeit, rubbery form via an "epoxy style" process. Other items are used for effects and mass flow Other items are used for effects and mass flow regulation. The major composite motor components regulation. The major composite motor components are:are:

1. Oxidizer. Commercially, Ammonium Perchlorate 1. Oxidizer. Commercially, Ammonium Perchlorate (AP) in granular form between 90 to normally 200 (AP) in granular form between 90 to normally 200 micron size is used, although some experimentalists micron size is used, although some experimentalists use other oxidizer materials such as Ammonium use other oxidizer materials such as Ammonium Nitrate (AN). AN propellants traditionally have a Nitrate (AN). AN propellants traditionally have a lower specific impulse (energy per pound) but this, of lower specific impulse (energy per pound) but this, of course relies on finer tuning of the other components.course relies on finer tuning of the other components.


2. Fuel-Binder. This can be one material or two but 2. Fuel-Binder. This can be one material or two but both aspects are important. The fuel , of course does both aspects are important. The fuel , of course does the work, and the binder is the item that makes the the work, and the binder is the item that makes the mass a solid.mass a solid.

3. Effects. Various metals are usually added to allow 3. Effects. Various metals are usually added to allow a multitude of flame and burning characteristics. a multitude of flame and burning characteristics. Normally, composite motors burn without smoke, but Normally, composite motors burn without smoke, but additives are normally added to enhance tracking or additives are normally added to enhance tracking or even to modify the burn to a slower impulse for some even to modify the burn to a slower impulse for some vehicles.vehicles.

4. Miscellaneous. Items such as a blackening agent to 4. Miscellaneous. Items such as a blackening agent to darken the propellant to inhibit IR transmission and darken the propellant to inhibit IR transmission and other ingredients to deaden noise and other other ingredients to deaden noise and other characteristics of a solid fuel burn are also important.characteristics of a solid fuel burn are also important.


Composite Motor TypesComposite Motor Types There are two primary types of approved There are two primary types of approved

composite rocket motors, the single use and composite rocket motors, the single use and the reloadable. They are as follows:the reloadable. They are as follows:

Single Use This motor is assembled at the Single Use This motor is assembled at the manufacturer in either a plastic, fiberglass or manufacturer in either a plastic, fiberglass or aluminum tube (called a case). Propellant is aluminum tube (called a case). Propellant is either poured or inserted into the case and either poured or inserted into the case and then the ends are permanently attached then the ends are permanently attached These ends consist of a nozzle on the aft end These ends consist of a nozzle on the aft end and forward plug that may include either a and forward plug that may include either a delay stack with an ejection well or just a delay stack with an ejection well or just a closed plug. This motor is always thrown closed plug. This motor is always thrown away after use.away after use.


Reloadable motor These types of motors come in two Reloadable motor These types of motors come in two closure systems, threaded and bushing/snap-ring closure systems, threaded and bushing/snap-ring closures. The Aerotech Reloadable Motor System closures. The Aerotech Reloadable Motor System (RMS™) is an example of a threaded system.. The (RMS™) is an example of a threaded system.. The bushing/snap ring system pioneered by Dr. Frank bushing/snap ring system pioneered by Dr. Frank Kosdon, among others, is a system where the forward Kosdon, among others, is a system where the forward bushing plug and the aft nozzle bushing are retained bushing plug and the aft nozzle bushing are retained through snap rings inserted into internal grooves in the through snap rings inserted into internal grooves in the case at the proper length case for that motor. These case at the proper length case for that motor. These bushing plugs can slide, within the case, but at bushing plugs can slide, within the case, but at pressurization, are forced to, and retained by, the snap pressurization, are forced to, and retained by, the snap rings. The essential propellant components, the grains, rings. The essential propellant components, the grains, are loaded the same, however. Different length cases are loaded the same, however. Different length cases are provided, for all reloadable motors, in standard are provided, for all reloadable motors, in standard diameters, normally measured in millimeters, and diameters, normally measured in millimeters, and various lengths, measured either by length or, even various lengths, measured either by length or, even more common, by maximum thrust (Newton Seconds) more common, by maximum thrust (Newton Seconds) per case. per case.

TECHNICAL STUFF TECHNICAL STUFF HYBRIDSHYBRIDS

Hybrid MotorsHybrid Motors Hybrid motors are specifically rocket motors that Hybrid motors are specifically rocket motors that

use a fuel and an oxidizer that are in two different use a fuel and an oxidizer that are in two different states, in this case, a solid fuel (plastic, cellulose, states, in this case, a solid fuel (plastic, cellulose, paper, etc) and a liquid/gaseous oxidizer (primarily paper, etc) and a liquid/gaseous oxidizer (primarily nitrous oxide). Nitrous Oxide has the stable nitrous oxide). Nitrous Oxide has the stable characteristic of becoming a good to better oxidizer, characteristic of becoming a good to better oxidizer, the hotter it gets. This fact allows it to be handled the hotter it gets. This fact allows it to be handled safely at room temperature, and provide a controlled safely at room temperature, and provide a controlled burning with an ignition source, continuous flame. burning with an ignition source, continuous flame. This, minus some ignition systems makes a motor This, minus some ignition systems makes a motor system that is completely safe and "explosive free". system that is completely safe and "explosive free". The fuel used, usually plastic can provide the same The fuel used, usually plastic can provide the same specific impulse as Ammonium Perchlorate specific impulse as Ammonium Perchlorate Composite Propellant (APCP) motors at, in most Composite Propellant (APCP) motors at, in most cases, one third to one half the cost. cases, one third to one half the cost.

THOSE STINKIN’ THOSE STINKIN’ REGULATIONSREGULATIONS

Who do we deal with?Who do we deal with?

FAAFAA

BATFEBATFE

STATESTATE

LOCALLOCAL

ORGANIZATIONS ORGANIZATIONS (FINALLY!)(FINALLY!)

National Association of RocketryNational Association of Rocketry Tripoli Rocketry AssociationTripoli Rocketry Association International Experimental International Experimental

Aerospace SocietyAerospace Society

experimental and high-power rocketry

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