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Model Rocketry/Questions
| Subject | Date Asked | Expert |
| Model Rockets and Fins | 12/14/2011 | James Bell |
| Q: I am doing a model rocket related science fair project at my school. I am designing am planning on ... A: Libby - You've asked a lot of good questions, and I shall try and answer all of them. Many of the ... | ||
| Back in 76 u could go to a hobby shop and see really advanced rockets. The andromedone,Moonlander with shock exsorbers and more.Now days all i see is boring 1,2 stage rocket at the stores.What gives and where can i go in NE Tex. to see advanced estes rock | 9/8/2011 | James Bell |
| Q: I screwup! A: John - Although Estes is probably the most well known maker of rocket model kits, there are ... | ||
| rocket igniter position | 5/27/2011 | James Bell |
| Q: For igniting model rockets I saw two designs, one placing igniter through the nozzle into the motor ... A: Veeru - The first one, from Purdue University, is looking at high-end motor designs for NASA-grade ... | ||
| rocket igniter position | 5/6/2011 | James Bell |
| Q: For igniting model rockets I saw two designs, one placing igniter through the nozzle into the motor ... A: Veeru - I'm not exactly sure of what you are describing. I am familiar with two types of igniters, ... | ||
| Making Deployment Charges | 4/5/2011 | James Bell |
| Q: I need help making my own Deployment Charges for my model rockets. Is there any websites that you ... A: Justin - Sorry for my delay in responding. I would suggest you visit the site for Public Missiles ... | ||
| Problems with first flight | 4/4/2011 | James Bell |
| Q: I'm trying to help my son launch his first rocket. Today we went through 3 ignitors and tried 2 ... A: David - It appears you have the the proper equipment, and a fresh 9-volt battery should work with ... | ||
| Problems with first flight | 4/3/2011 | James Bell |
| Q: I'm trying to help my son launch his first rocket. Today we went through 3 ignitors and tried 2 ... A: David - Ignitors can be tricky things. You didn't specify what type of motor you are using, but I ... | ||
| Science | 1/8/2011 | James Bell |
| Q: Is it possible for a rocket to fly win only 2 fins & can it fly with 5 fins? What would happen? A: Monica - Three fins -- equally spaced -- is traditionally the smallest number of fins you can have. ... | ||
| home made rocket question | 12/1/2010 | James Bell |
| Q: Our daughter has a school project to make a rocket out of things around the house, although we are ... A: Laura - Depending on how old the question was that had the link to my "tips" page, I did undergo a ... | ||
| Pyrogen | 11/8/2010 | Dave Landgraf |
| Q: My name is Rosie. I am doing a science fair project on model rocketry and I keep coming across the ... A: That's a very good question. The detailed parts of motor igniters are usually not described very ... | ||
| launch pad for estes 43.25" saturn V rocket | 8/17/2010 | James Bell |
| Q: I just purchased the new estes saturn v model. I have launched smaller rockets but this is my first ... A: Dan - The kit specifies a 3/16" Maxi Rod, attached to whatever launch pad will accept it. The ... | ||
| Tracking device | 8/9/2010 | Dave Landgraf |
| Q: What is the tracking device and how do you measure the altitude of a launched model rocket? A: Sorry for not finding your email sooner in my inbox, but let's see if we can answer your questions ... | ||
| Rocket plane | 7/27/2010 | Dave Landgraf |
| Q: I've been thinking about trying to strap a rocket to my rc plane for a long time and many people ... A: Del Porto, The whole issue of launching rockets from RC airplanes is kind of a sensitive one. Ever ... | ||
| rocket adhesive | 7/18/2010 | James Bell |
| Q: with all the instructions of the model rockets it suggests plastic cement is the preferred. With all ... A: Steve - Just like the brand of oil you use in your car, everyone has a favorite they like to use. ... | ||
| calculations | 5/13/2010 | James Bell |
| Q: how do you find the center of pressure & how many nseconds there are in an engine. A: Hayden - There are many ways to answer the question of CP calculation. Some use a cardboard cutout ... | ||
| Rockets | 5/6/2010 | James Bell |
| Q: Why would launching rockets from outer space be more effective than launching them from Earth? A: Dakota - The "effectiveness" of launching a rocket from outer space depends on the destination of ... | ||
| Rockets | 5/6/2010 | James Bell |
| Q: What is the advantage of 3 fins on a rocket? What is the disadvantage? A: Dakota - Three fins is the minimum number equally spaced 120 degrees apart to provide stability for ... | ||
| 4 in 1 rocket launch | 4/14/2010 | Dave Landgraf |
| Q: My rocket has a d motor as the main with 3 c motors set up as a booster for the launch. The boosters ... A: First of all, I am going to assume that you meant to ask about using an Estes-type igniter in each ... | ||
| competitions | 4/12/2010 | Dave Landgraf |
| Q: My high school's rocket team competes in Team America Rocket Challenge. Do you know of another ... A: There are many forms of competition sponsored by local branches of the National Association of ... | ||
| Charleston, SC Launch Sites | 3/21/2010 | Dave Landgraf |
| Q: my name is Dave and I'm in the Air Force stationed in Charleston, SC. I was big into model rocketry ... A: Dave, It's always a good idea to check with local authorities to see if your town allows model ... | ||
| Charleston, SC Launch Sites | 3/20/2010 | Dave Landgraf |
| Q: my name is Dave and I'm in the Air Force stationed in Charleston, SC. I was big into model rocketry ... A: Let me first say quickly: Thank you for serving. The Air Force has always sorta been my favorite, ... | ||
| i need help with a design | 1/29/2010 | Dave Landgraf |
| Q: Dave I need your help, Ok here is the situation. My class is goin to Fredricksburg Tx. in April to ... A: Are you trying to loft a rocket (and payload) one mile high, or are you trying to create a ... | ||
| rocket engines | 1/25/2010 | Dave Landgraf |
| Q: Recently while cleaning out the basement I came across several unused model rocket engines that are ... A: That's an easy one! If you have stored them indoors all this time (with minimal temperature cycling, ... | ||
| model rocketry | 1/2/2010 | Dave Landgraf |
| Q: actually i m a student from grade 9 and i m participating in a local rocketry challenge and i have ... A: Vaishali, I am sorry to be so late in answering your question. I hope my answers are still helpful. ... | ||
| pyrogen | 11/23/2009 | Dave Landgraf |
| Q: What is the gauge of the estes igniter. The larger side pieces. Or What is the best gauge to use ... A: The subject of pyrogens and igniter manufacture is going to be a fun "tip-toe through the minefield" ... | ||
| Wire Gauge | 11/14/2009 | Dave Landgraf |
| Q: What is the gauge of the estes igniter. The larger side pieces. Or What is the best gauge to use ... A: I don't have information handy on the size of the side conductors, but the Estes-type igniters ... | ||
| rocket nozzle | 10/27/2009 | Dave Landgraf |
| Q: I made a rocket nozzle with PVC end cap with pop(plaster of paris) filled in for converging and ... A: Veerendra, It sounds like you have started a very ambitious experiment. I hope you are using good ... | ||
| attaching fins | 10/10/2009 | Dave Combs |
| Q: I'm a middle school teacher who is starting a rocket club at my school. I have been building a ... A: First and foremost, CONGRATULATIONS and well done to you for starting a rocketry club at school! ... | ||
| Bottle Rockets: Fin Location V. Altitude | 10/9/2009 | Dave Landgraf |
| Q: How does the fin location of a bottle rocket affect the altitude of an one? ... A: Dev, I am guessing that when you say "bottle" rocket you mean the kind made from a big plastic soda ... | ||
| gluing fins to rocket | 10/7/2009 | Todd Panico |
| Q: I'm a middle school teacher who is starting a rocket club at my school. I have been building a ... A: You have to attach one fin at a time and wait for it to set up (about an hour) while watching to ... | ||
| Number Of Rocket FIns VS Altitude | 9/29/2009 | James Bell |
| Q: James my question is that "How does the number of rocket fins compare to the altitude?" and also ... A: Bobby - The main purpose of tail fins is to stabilize the rocket as it flies through the air. The ... | ||
| level 3 certification | 9/28/2009 | James Bell |
| Q: I'm planning on getting my level 3 cert bit later this year,what is the most cost effective way of ... A: Donovan - I really can't speculate on how well your smoking tracker might work. The design looks ... | ||
| rocket matirails | 9/28/2009 | Dave Landgraf |
| Q: what are som good materials ror body tubes and fins out of commen household items? A: You can make your own body tubes from several different paper materials, and a few plastic ones. If ... | ||
| rocket homemade launch pads | 8/30/2009 | Dave Landgraf |
| Q: Dave, for Cub Scout pack in arlington Tx, do you have plans for making the pad and the electronic ... A: Tim, I believe there are plans for a simple launcher on the NAR (National Association of Rocketry) ... | ||
| kit modifications | 8/25/2009 | James Bell |
| Q: I have a kit for a Mean Machine and would like to make it one body tube section shorter (18"). ... A: Kerry - With the exception of some additional fin area, the Mean Machine is not much more than a ... | ||
| Hey | 7/31/2009 | Dave Landgraf |
| Q: I was wondering, where can i buy cheaper A6-4 rocket engines? I love to launch rockets but its ... A: Manufacturers of model rocket kits are usually pretty good about giving you several rocket motor ... | ||
| Hey | 7/30/2009 | Dave Landgraf |
| Q: I was wondering, where can i buy cheaper A6-4 rocket engines? I love to launch rockets but its ... A: Everyone would like to know where to buy motors at lower cost! It is going to take a little looking ... | ||
| Hey | 7/30/2009 | Todd Panico |
| Q: I was wondering, where can i buy cheaper A6-4 rocket engines? I love to launch rockets but its ... A: Unless you can buy alot of them locally. The bulk packs are the cheapest per engine. Finding a club ... | ||
| Hey | 7/30/2009 | Dave Combs |
| Q: I was wondering, where can i buy cheaper A6-4 rocket engines? I love to launch rockets but its ... A: A6-4 engines are only produced by Quest; this makes them a little harder to come by (Estes BY FAR ... | ||
| Launch Sites in Fort Worth | 7/19/2009 | Dave Landgraf |
| Q: Dave, In searching the web, I came across a post where you were looking for launch sites near Fort ... A: I am really sorry to have missed your question. I sure don't want you to feel ignored! If you live ... | ||
James Bell
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
I am a member of Tripoli Rocketry Association, and am certified to fly hi power rockets. I can answer questions anyone may have about design, materials selection, stability calculations, motor selection, altitude and performance predictions, and parachute and recovery options.
Experience
I make my rockets from existing kits or parts readily made through commercial channels. I do NOT make my own motor propellants (they are challenging enough even for the companies that do this for a living), and I do not advocate making rockets using "typical household item" such as paper towel rolls.
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