Where to begin?

[Ethan13]

I'm a fan of some new space devices. Where should I start studying the materials if I want to build a good copy of a real two-stage rocket? Of course, it will not work like a real one with a first stage separation. Or can an amateur also build such a miniature?

[Carbon796]

You may want to look into Estes model rockets.

[SharkWhisperer]

I'm a fan of some new space devices. Where should I start studying the materials if I want to build a good copy of a real two-stage rocket? Of course, it will not work like a real one with a first stage separation. Or can an amateur also build such a miniature?

https://www.rocketryforum.com/

 

Pretty diverse, from low power Estes stuff to high power record breakers. Many former or practicing aerospace engineers. Suggest keeping topics to modeling/recover/propulsion/rocket design/electronics & telemetry, because discussing composition formulations openly is considered "research" rocketry and is forbidden in the general section (inappropriately in my opinion). Mention specific chemical mixes (except for igniters) and you risk being beaten by a hundred granny's purses for violating the NAR 10 "Commandments", aka safety code. A pretty conservative group compared with the fireworking community, but some very bright people that can point you in the right direction if they can't help you.

 

I send finned rockets up on homemade motors with intention to recover and reuse, and also as pyro delivery devices, and plenty of stick motors with headers. For finned rocketry, you can really stretch classical limits, but cannot ever precisely mimic space vehicles where fins would be useless and without purpose (no atmosphere). But once you understand the design vs flight basics, it is likely that you can approximate space vehicle shape/behavior with some little tweaks (fins can be "hidden", for example).

 

And per Carbon, before self designing two-stage rockets, which is entirely feasible, it would be a good idea to learn using a kit rocket (Estes, Quest,..many more smaller companies). There are plenty of 2-stager kits and booster add-ons available but best to learn the basics of flight stability on a low-altitude single-stage rockets (quick n easy) and kit 2-stager while learning the critical design parameters needed for from-scratch designs. And you'll need a big field the moment you transition to any but the tiniest of two-stagers, if you ever want to see it again. Pyro rockets are not expected to return home in good shape--they are purpose driven kamikazes and do their jobs well. Simple 2-stagers on baby C impulse BP motors will easily achieve 1/4 mile altitude. Could you see somebody holding a 2-3 foot long rocket a quarter mile away? Not without binoculars

[Ethan13]

Where I am, there are no problems with using different chemical mixtures. There are many indoor areas where you can practice. Mention specific chemical mixes (except for igniters) is a problem on the net. Thank you for such useful and detailed advice.

[SharkWhisperer]

Where I am, there are no problems with using different chemical mixtures. There are many indoor areas where you can practice. Mention specific chemical mixes (except for igniters) is a problem on the net. Thank you for such useful and detailed advice.

Hi Ethan,

 

Not sure what your comment about not having problems with chems is related to. And I'm also unsure what you intend to practice indoors. Anyways, my impression was that you wanted to explore vehicle design and also (now) propellant compositions. They are two entirely different beasts, though they ultimately merge nicely.

 

Can you be a little more specific on exactly what you have in mind and what you want to accomplish? You mentioned "new space devices" and "2-stage rockets" in the same brief message, so there's a lot of room for guessing/misinterpretation of what your exact goals are.

 

Please provide a little more details on exactly what you have in mind.

 

Tx, SW

[Ethan13]

I really like this Skyhy rocket

It is a small suborbital two-stage rocket. But I also love that the guys use recycled plastic fuels. I would like to make a working model for myself, which could also run on some kind of environmentally friendly fuel.

[Piccaso]

 

I really like this Skyhy rocket

It is a small suborbital two-stage rocket. But I also love that the guys use recycled plastic fuels. I would like to make a working model for myself, which could also run on some kind of environmentally friendly fuel.

 

Did you happen to notice the specifications on that rocket? 150kg weight to start with . This is not exactly a beginners hobby rocket. I am not trying to throw water on your dreams but you have to learn to crawl before you can walk, much less run and jump.

Edited March 20, 2021 by Piccaso

[kingkama]

The place to start is https://www.amazon.com/Ignition-Informal-History-Liquid-Propellants-ebook/dp/B076838QS2

Then https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://cdn.preterhuman.net/texts/terrorism_and_pyrotechnics/rocketry/Rocket%2520Manual%2520for%2520Amateurs%2520-%2520By%2520Capt.%2520Bertrand%2520R.%2520Brinley%2520(Ballantine%2520Books%2520-%25201960)%2520385s.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwjX7pa32sLvAhXL5KQKHU-2DRIQFjAAegQIARAC&usg=AOvVaw1_oNL9jJeJaGOKvOoHOCGu

This is what you need, before proceeding in this quest you have to learn basics.