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Model Rocket Propulsion
On this page, you'll find links to other sites that have more information on model rocket motors, propulsion, and how rockets work.

Rocket Propulsion (Information Links)

Chemical composition of rocket propellants. This report from the National Association of Rocketry gives the stochiometric formula for Black Powder propellant and a "generic" formula for composite propellant. This is useful information if you are a teacher of a chemistry class and you want to do some more in depth work with rockets. Note: The actual formulas for composite propellant are proprietary from the various manufacturers.

http://library.thinkquest.org/12145/propul3.htm?tqskip1=1&tqtime=0706 Propulsion Efficiency of a Rocket motor (high school level)

http://lekstutis.com/Artie/PEP/ a software program for determining the characteristics of different propellant formulations. (college level)

http://www.allstar.fiu.edu/aero/rocket1.htm Introduction to Rocket Performance. An excellent site that mostly describes real rockets, but it is just as applicable to model rockets.

http://www.LUNAR.org/docs/handbook/motors.shtml Primer on rocket motors. How they work, how they are classified, sizes, NAR Certification list, and how to insert igniters.

http://www.bookcase.com/library/faq/archive/model-rockets/ignition-tips.html tips for igniting motors, including staging composites, clusters, and other high-tech methods. Text only.

http://www.braeunig.us/space/propuls.htm Rocket propulsion formulas (High School and above)
Piston Launchers

Get another 5% increase in altitude just by launching from a piston launcher! A piston launcher converts the hot exhaust gases from the rocket engine into high-pressure that kicks the rocket into the air at a faster velocity. This recycling of the exhaust gases is cool, and it gives your rocket a higher flight.

 Piston Launcher Kit

Motor Thrust Curves and Data for Simulation Software

http://www.nar.org/SandT/NARenglist.shtml - NAR web page where you can download pdf files of the thrust curves of different rocket motors.

http://www.thrustcurve.org A large site devoted strictly to motor data files.

http://www.rocketreviews.com/rocksim_library.shtml - Motor files and RockSim design files for lots of different manufacturer's kits.

Check the Links below using the Wayback Machine!
Wayback Machine If you find any dead links, don't give up. Try using the Wayback Machine! It will allow you to read the text of old web sites that may not be active any longer. http://www.archive.org

To use the WayBack Machine, you may need to cut and past the URL into the web site. Please be patient, as the Wayback Machine can be slow...

If you find more links that are needing to be moved here, please let us know!

http://home.swbell.net/sbaughmn/propulsion.html Description of the components in composite propellant motors, particular emphasis on reloadable motors.

http://www.fortunepaint.com/thiokol_rocket_basics.htm History, theory, and practical rocket propulsion from Thiokol. The latter parts describe real space motors, but overall, it is a good reference for all modelers.

http://seed.mainecenter.org/application/files/packets/PDF100.pdf How to build your own rocket engine thrust stand. (high school level) [cached]

http://www.irving.org/rocketry/types/ Explanation of the different types of rocket motors, from small size to the bigger ones. (elementary level).

http://www.irving.org/rocketry/igniters/ Rocket motor igniters in the presence of strong radio waves. Some safety concerns you need to consider when handling rocket motors, ejection charges, and igniters.

http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Cockpit/1938/data.html Software for designing rocket motors. Very technical.

http://www.cosrocs.org/articles/cato.html Explanation of the term "CATO," and how to prevent them from occurring.

http://members.cox.net/rpmachining/Rockets/page%2004.htm Designing a Liquid propellant rocket engine (College Level)

http://www.atf.treas.gov/explarson/fedexplolaw/index.htm BATF Orange Book of Federal Explosives laws. These laws pertain to the chemicals that are used to make model rocket motors.

http://www.cmass.org/radiocmass.html sounds of rocket motors

http://www1.iwvisp.com/thehalls/rockets/faq24/ Unique propulsion systems used in real rockets.

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Actual Customer Comment:
"I am just getting reaquainted with model and midpower rocketry after many years away from the sport. This will be a great refresher and hopfully help get me the results I am looking for in terms of presentation and performance. Your web site is terrific, thank you for opening the door to this great hobby." -- Ralph

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