Amateur Experimental Rocketry is, in my humble opinion, one of the most challenging, exciting and educational hobbies. Unlike Model Rocketry or High Power Rocketry, experimental rocketry is an activity whereby rockets are designed and constructed entirely from "scratch". Most components -- including motor and propellant-- are self-made. The goal of Amateur Experimental Rocketry (AER), often referred to as Amateur Rocketry, Experimental Rocketry or Research Rocketry, is to design, build, test and launch rockets. In this context, rocket may refer to the motor itself, or to a complete vehicle that consists of motor, fuselage (and stabilizing devices such as fins), nosecone, and payload. One of the greatest challenges is to develop and build such a motor, one that is safe to produce and operate, reliable, and one that provides predictable and consistent performance. A second big challenge is to develop a recovery system, such as parachute deployment, that operates with a high degree of reliability under the demanding conditions of launch followed by high speed or high altitude flight. Striving to achieve these goals (and many others) and to overcome the inevitable obstacles, is what makes this such a challenging (and at times frustrating) and educational pastime, and one that requires diversified skills combined with a good dose of ingenuity. The outcome of all this, more often than not, is that one learns to genuinely comprehend that which is colloquially known as Rocket Science.

It might be said, then, that Model Rocketry and High Power Rocketry are best suited to those who wish to make and fly rockets, and Experimental Rocketry is perhaps best suited to those who rather wish to make rockets fly!

October 26, 2023-- Over the past 5 years I have conducted nearly 100 static test firings in support of developing propellants based on Ammonium or Potassium Perchlorate. An important aspect of this testing is the determination of burn rate parameters, which are key characteristics for designing rocket motors utilizing the (more successful) of these propellants. To aid the process, I came up with a simplified method of calculating the burn rate coefficient (a) and pressure exponent (n) of any new formulation. This method employs the time-pressure curves of two or more static test results, and provides reasonably accurate results for designing experimental motors. The method is described in my new web page Simplified Method to Estimate Burn Rate Parameters.

Next on my agenda is to work on completing the Introduction to Experimental Rocket Design webpages.

March 6, 2023-- I have updated my Theory page on two-phase flow to be more comprehesive in providing design information for rocket motors with condensed-phase (smoke) in the exhaust. This is especially relevant for sugar propellant motors, of which the exhaust products are nearly 44% condensed-phase.

November 14, 2022-- I've been using graphite as a nozzle material for my ANCP and APCP powered experimental motors. I'd found that graphite erodes when the propellant formulations contain aluminum. This erosion is problematic for a number of reasons. Fortunately, I came up with a method of toughening a graphite nozzle such that erosion is essentially eliminated. I have described this method in a document I have uploaded to my site.
Toughening Graphite for Rocket Nozzle Durability