HPR2254: Introduction to Model Rocketry

Hacker Public Radio

Introduction to Model Rocketry

In this episode I introduce the hobby of model rocketry. I specifically highlight some of the advanced elements of the hobby to show how model rocketry goes from being a fun activity for kids to a serious hobby enjoyed by many adults.

Outline

1. History of model rocketry.

• Early amateur experimentation with rocketry.
• G. Harry Stine develops the model rocket motor.
• Vern Estes develops a way to mass produce motors.

2. Basic model rocket components and flight.

• Airframe, nose cone, and fins.
• The part of the model rocket motor.
• Recovery mechanism (parachutes and streamers).
• The launch pad
• The basic flight profile of a model rocket.
• Building a typical model rocket kit.

3. Scratch building your own designs.

• Using commercial components.
• Using ordinary materials for rockets.
• Fabricating components: Lathes, laser cutters, CNC machines, etc.
• Using CAD and simulation software.

4. Craftsmanship and scale modeling.

5. Model rocket competition.

• Regional, national, and international meets.
• Events: Altitude, duration, advanced recovery methods, payloads, egglofting.

6. High power rockets.

• Large rockets.
• High altitude rockets.
• Supersonic rockets
• Composite motors.
• Regulations
• Certification
• Materials

7. Complex rocketry.

• Motor clustering.
• Staging.
• Dual deployment.

8. Electronics

• Altimeters
• Flight computers
• Tracking
• Cameras

9. Experimental motors.

10. National associations.

• National Association of Rocketry (NAR).
• Tripoli Rocketry Association (TRA).
• Safety codes.
• Liability insurance.
• Local clubs.

11. Safety.

12. A little about my personal interests in model rocketry.

Resources

The following is a non-exhaustive list of companies that manufacture and/or sell model rocket kits and suplies. I've primary listed those that I'm most familiar with. There are certainly others.

• Estes https://www.estesrockets.com/
• Quest http://www.questaerospace.com/
• Semroc http://www.semroc.com/
• Apogee Components https://www.apogeerockets.com/
• LOC Precision http://www.locprecision.com/
• Public Missles Ltd https://publicmissiles.com/
• Madcow Rocketry https://www.madcowrocketry.com/
• Giant Leap Rocketry https://giantleaprocketry.com/
• Flis Kits Inc http://www.fliskits.com/
• Wildman Rocketry https://www.wildmanrocketry.com/

These are some of the major manufactures of high power composite motors.

• Aerotech Consumer Aerospace http://www.aerotech-rocketry.com/
• Cesaroni Technology http://www.pro38.com/

These are the two United States national model rocketry associations.

• National Association of Rocketry http://www.nar.org/
• Tripoli Rocketry Assocation http://www.tripoli.org/

Resource for competition rocketry.

• National Association of Rocketry Annual Meet http://www.nar.org/contest-flying/naram-the-nationals/
• FAI World Championship http://www.fai.org/

Here are a number of other interesting links

• G. Harry Stine Wikipedia Page https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G._Harry_Stine
• Vern Estes Wikipedia Page https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vernon_Estes
• October Sky Wikipedia Page https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/October_Sky
• Homer Hickam Jr Wikipedia Page https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homer_Hickam

Errata

In the show I said that G. Harry Stine worked at the White Sands Missile Base. The correct name for that facility is White Sands Missile Range. But, during the time that Stine worked there, it would have been called the White Sands Proving Ground. http://www.wsmr.army.mil/