Medalist Composite Propellant Rocket Motors: Highest Flights For Small Models

How do the sizes of these motors compare to the Estes D12? That is a common question.

As you can see from the picture to the left, the sizes are as follows:

Apogee E6: This motor is the same diameter as the D12 -- both are 24mm diameter. But it is a little longer (3.0 inches versus 2.75 inches for the Estes D12). Will these work in kits with D12 motor mounts? YES! Most times, you can just let them hang out the back of the motor mount. Just wrap masking tape over the tube/motor joint, so that they won't slide rearward when the ejection charge ignites. Yes, this trick really does work!

Note: The E6 has lower thrust than the D12, so it should only be used in lightweight rockets with low drag. Use the RockSim software to determine if it is a good combination for your particular kit.

Apogee F10: This motors is larger in diameter than the Estes D12 motor. So it won't fit into kits that have D12 motor mounts. If you want to fly them in those kits, you'll need to change the engine mount tube so that it accepts 29mm diameter motors. You can find 29mm engine mount tubes at: www.ApogeeRockets.com/body_tubes.asp. You want the tube with Part Number 10110.

If you need help designing and building engine mounts, see our e-zine newsletter #104.

(click on the image below to see an animation of a Composite motor)

Q. How do composite propellant motors burn? Is it different from black powder propellant motors?

A. Composite propellant motors do burn different from black powder propellant motors. There are two animations that show how these motors work:

How Composite Propellant Motors Work
How Black Powder Propellant Motors Work

Q. Why don't you ship rocket motors to countries outside the USA?

A. There are too many shipping regulations. We're a small company, and we don't have the manpower to track the regulations for each country in the world. So to keep our prices as low as possible, we only ship to USA customers.

Q. Can you ship motors to me by this weekend?

A. All rocket motors must be shipped by surface transportation (truck). While we ship the motors usually the same day the order comes in, you should plan extra time for the postal service to deliver them via third class mail (Parcel Post).

Q. Where are the other Apogee Medalist motors like the D3, D10, C4, C10, C6, and B7?

A. We'll add them back as soon as we can get Aerotech producing them again. It may take some time yet. If you want to be notified when they become available, please subscribe to the Apogee Peak-of-Flight e-zine newsletter. It's FREE.

Q. How is maximum lift-off weight determined?

A. The maximum recommended lift-off weight for each delay depends on the size of the rocket, its drag coefficient, launch angle, and the wind conditions at launch. We recommend running a RockSim computer simulation for each rocket design and launch conditions to select the proper motor delay. For help selecting the correct delay time, see Apogee Technical Publication #28. For additional information on maximum lift-off weight, see our FREE newsletter article on this subject. Click here to download Issue #214.

Q. Which launch controller is recommended for the First Fire Jr.™ and Copperhead™ Igniters?

A. We offer two different controllers that can be used for these igniters. The Aerotech Interlock and the Pratt Hobbies GO-BOX Controller.

Q. What is Recovery Wadding, and why do I need it?

A. Click Here for more information about Recovery Wadding.

Q. Is there permanent wadding that doesn't need to be replaced?

A. Yes. It is a special fabric called Nomex^®. Click Here for more information.

Q. Which igniters should I buy for the D & E Engines?

A. We recommend the Quest "Q2G2" igniters. Click Here for more information.

Q. Which igniters should I buy for the F-Engines shown above?

A. Get the Copperhead igniters. Click Here for more information.

Q. Will the Aerotech First Fire Jr.™ igniters work in the Apogee Medalist motors?

A. NO. They are too big to fit into the nozzle hole. They are better for bigger size motors. Click Here for more information.

Q. How do you stage composite propellant motors?

A. You need some extra equipment in the rocket. We call them staging electronics.

Below are some links to articles that are here on the Apogee web site that contain information about selecting and using rocket motors. Just because there is a lot of information to absorb, don't feel overwhelmed. Just give us a call at: (719) 535-9335, or send us an email by clicking on the "email us" button on the navigation bar to the left.

• What to expect when you launch your model rocket. Click Here.
  
  
• How do black powder propellant rocket motors work? Click Here.
  
  
• Where to purchase black powder motors? Click Here.
  
  
• What exactly is "composite propellant?" How does it differ from black powder?
  Click Here.
  
  
• How do "Composite" propellant rocket motors work? Click Here.
  
  
• What kind of igniters do you use for composite propellant motors? Click Here.
  
  
• Learn how Black Powder "Multi-stage" rocket motors work. Click Here.
  
  
• Why aren't there any "composite propellant" booster stage motors? Click Here.
  
  
• How do you stage "Composite Propellant" rocket engines? See Newsletter #91
  
  
• What is the Hibachi effect in a composite motor? Click Here.
  
  
• How do you choose the right rocket motor for your rocket? Click Here.
  
  
• How do you determine the Maximum Lift-Off Weight for a rocket motor? Click Here.
  
  
• How does a piston launcher increase the performance of a rocket motor? Click Here.
  
  
• Learn the theory and the laws-of-physics behind rocket propulsion. Click Here.