Flight sequence of a model rocket
.
                                           

            

 

 

 

            

 

 

                

Flight Sequence of a model rocket

 

 

 

 

                        

 

                         

 

   This is a single stage rocket in action. First you see ignition and lift-off, then acceleration and on to coast & tracking. At peek altitude the engine fires an ejection charge that triggers the parachute or streamer. This will bring the rocket back down safely.


Exploded View of a 2 stage rocket

   Here you see a typical 2 stage rocket. 2 stage means that you have 2 engines stacked in the rocket. After the first stage or bottom engine has finished its burn, it lets a reverse charge go that ignites the second stage or top engine. The 1st engine will then fall away with a small section of fins which allows it to tumble safely to the ground.
Exploaded view of a two stage payloader

 The 2nd stage engine will trigger the parachute ejection once it has finished its burn thus bringing the rocket safely to the ground. You can have more than one stage to a rocket but it will work in the same sequence. These rockets are made from lightweight materials like paper, balsa and plastic.


The engines

Cut away of a rocket engine

( A ) Clay nozzle to focus the thrust.

( B ) Propellant - Produces the thrust.

( C ) Coast phase and tracking smoke.

( D ) Ejection charge for recovery system.

( E ) Clay retainer cap.

( F ) Cardboard casing.

 

   Rocket engines come in different Power Ranges. These ranges are measured in Newton-Seconds. (one Newton-second is the total impulse produced by one Newton of thrust for a duration of one second.) A "B" engine with a 5 Newton-Second rating can produce up to 5 Newton's of thrust for one second , 10 Newton's thrust for a 1/2 second , or any combination that totals up to 5 Newton's in 1 second.

Each engine type will deliver a certain total amount of
force known as its Total Impulses.
1/2 A = 1.25
A = 2.5
B = 5.0
C = 10.0
D = 20.0
You can see the power level doubles from A to B to C to D
( Sample of an engine... " B 6-2 " )
   Some rocket engines are designed to produce their thrust very quickly while others are slow burners. The first number on the engine (right after the letter) tells how the thrust is delivered. The lower the number, the longer the engine burns. This number is the average thrust of the engine.

   The second number (after the dash) is the delay time in seconds between the burnout of the engine and the ejection. Engines are color coded to help categorize them. Green for single staged rockets. Purple for single staged / light weight rockets. Red for staged rocket booster engines . Black for plugged engines, for use with rocket gliders.

How they burn

1.The engine is electrically ignited and starts to produces thrust.

 

2.Propellant is burnt producing maximum thrust to lift the rocket.

 

3.After the propellant, the delay/coast phase and tracking smoke burns.

 

4.Finally the ejection charge is blown to deploy the recovery system.

( Sample of a " B 6-2 " engine. )

Animated Burn !!!

The Igniters

 

Separate igniters. Don't cut the tape from within the igniter itself, just from each other. Insert the igniter all the way into the clay nozzle on the motor until it sets up against the propellant.

 

Insert the igniter plug into the nozzle over the igniter so the igniter gets held firmly in place. Bend the igniter wires back flush with the bottom of the motor and give them a small curl out.


Now the motor is ready to stick into your rocket.
Off to the pad and .......and ....... aww man.

Misfires

When the motor fails to ignite it is nearly always caused by incorrect installation of the igniter. An igniter will function properly even if the coated tip is chipped but if the tip is not in direct contact with the propellant, it will only heat and not ignite the motor.

If a misfire occurs, remove the safety key, wait one minute then approach the rocket. Remove the burnt igniter and replace with a new one. Make sure it is in contact with the propellant, plug it in place and start the launch over.

 

* Do to the fact that peoples skills and abilities vary greatly and to the fact that we can't inspect or certify any project you may try, we can not be held responsible for any losses or damages, incurred to you or any other person, caused by you or any information you may have gathered from this site. We have tried to be as accurate as possible but use this information or advice at your own risk.