Pro54® rocket motor hardware is lightweight and robust, consisting of two components; the motor casing and the rear retaining ring.

Manufactured from thin-wall 6061-T6 aluminum tubing with an anodized coating for corrosion protection, Pro54® motor cases are lightweight but strong, capable of holding nearly 2500 psi of internal pressure. The forward closure is retained by a formed rim at the head end of the casing. The rear of the casing has precision-machined external threads, and uses a separate threaded ring to retain the reload. The retaining ring can be interchanged between Pro54® cases.

Pro54® motor casings are available in seven sizes to fit reloads from I through K class. Please refer to the motor specifications page to see which Pro54® casing is required for each reload.

Don't forget that you'll need a delay adjustment tool for your Pro54® reloads, unless you use electronic ejection exclusively. The ProDAT-54 tool allows you to reduce the delay time of your Pro54® reload by any amount up to 10 seconds

Step 1: Pick the diameter of the engine. Clicking on the links will take you to more information about each diameter motor so you can select the correct casing. 

• 24mm Dia. Motor Hardware (E - G)
• 29mm Dia. Motor Hardware (F - H)
• 38mm Dia. Motor Hardware (G - J)
• 54mm Dia. Motor Hardware (I - K)* - You are here!
• 75mm Dia. Motor Hardware (K - M)*
• 98mm Dia. Motor Hardware (K - N)*

• 24mm Dia. Motors (E - G)
• 29mm Dia. Motors (F - H)
• 38mm Dia. Motors (G - J)
• 54mm Dia. Motors (I - K)*
• 75mm Dia. Motors (K - M)*
• 98mm Dia. Motors (K - N)*
  
  *Call to special order

Step 2: Pick the Cesaroni Propellant kit that you want to fly in your rocket. To be honest, this is the most time-consuming step. Contact us if you need help. We'll direct you to the RockSim software that we use to help pick the right rocket engines for your vehicle. Technical Publication #28 gives you a step-by-step procedure for picking the motors that might work in your rocket.

Step 3: Match the propellant kit that you just selected in step 2 to the appropriate Cesaroni Case.

The aluminum reloadable casing is also called the "reload hardware." Why not let Apogee Components be your hardware store?

Q. How do I adjust the ejection charge delay on the Cesaroni motors.

A. You need a special drill tool, called the "Pro-DAT" that allows you to put a hole into the delay grain that makes the coasting time shorter. Use the Pro-DAT 54 as the Pro-DAT 38 does not fit.   We do not currently carry the Pro-DAT 54.

Q. Can I use Aerotech propellant in the Cesaroni cases?

A. No. the sizes of the propellant are different and therefore the Pro54^® motor cases are not compatible with any other brand of reload except Cesaroni.

Q. Are there any special tools that are needed to assemble these motors?

A. No. Assembly is simple.

Q. Don't I need to be high-power certified to buy these motor casings?

A. No. You can buy the aluminum casings without being certified. However, you do need to be high-power certified to buy the propellant kits (H size and larger).

 

Q. Where do I go to get High Power Certified so I can buy the propellant kits?

A. In the United States, there are two organizations that can certify you to fly high power motors. They are the National Association of Rocketry, and Tripoli Rocketry Association. If you are outside of the USA, please click here.

Q. Why isn't there a "one size fits all" reloadable-case?

A. Great Question! It has to do with the physics of rocket motors. To make such an motor case, you would have to design it to fit the largest engine. Then smaller motors would have a lot of empty space in them. First of all, this would be inefficient because you're carrying excess weight into the air. The extra space that should be filled with propellant causes problems with the rest of the propellant burning. There are vibrations and acoustics that resonate in the empty chamber that make sustaining thrust difficult. It is a delicate balancing act to design efficient motors. That is why it is called "rocket science" after all. Fortunately, the hard part is done for us by the manufacturers, and we get to enjoy the smooth operation of each well designed motor.

An alternative to the "one size fits all" case are the Pro54 Spacers.  You can use up to 2 in a case, and thus are only needing 3 cases - a 6XL for your 6XL-Grain propellant kits, a 6-Grain (for 6, 5, and 4-Grain propellant kits) and a 3-Grain (for 3, 2 and 1-Grain propellant kits). 

Q. If I leave the engine block and hook off the rocket, what keeps the rocket from sliding into the rocket?

A. The lip on the back of the motor butts against the aft edge of the engine tube. This prevents the motor from sliding forward. Cool, isn't it?

To prevent it from sliding aft, you have two options: 

1. You can put a layer of tape over the top. Click here for more information.

2. You can use an engine retainer as shown to the right. Click for information on Engine Retainers

Q. What kind of hook should I use to hold the 54mm reloadable engines in my rocket? I noticed that the Apogee web site doesn't have long engine hooks.

A. Engine Retainers. These are useful on rockets that use the 54mm diameter reloadable motors that are extra long.

Q. How easy is it to assemble a reloadable rocket motor?

A. It will take you about 5 minutes to put one together. If you want to see how easy it is, watch our YouTube video where we put one together (click here).

Rouse-Tech Motor Cases - The Rouse-Tech motor casings use the Aerotech reloads kits. They are an alternative to the Cesaroni motors, and come in the same diameters so you can use them in your already-built rocket fleet. Why buy from Apogee? Because we've organized things to make it easier for you to pick and find the right casing for your big project.

• 24mm Dia. Motors (power: E - F )
• 29mm Dia. Motors (power: F - G )
• 29mm HPR Motor (Power: G - I )
• 38mm Dia. Motors (power: G - J )
• 54mm Dia. Motors (power: I - K )
• 75mm Dia. Motors (power: K - M )
• 98mm Dia. Motors (power: K - N )