Rocket ScienceRocket ScienceGavin D. J. Harper

Forces on a Rocket vs. AeroplaneSpot the difference!

Rockets vs. AeroplanesRockets vs. Aeroplanes

Jet Engine Image © Jeff Dahl http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Jet_engine.svgRocket Engine Image © NASA

Gumpowder to propel projectiles, was invented by the Chinese in the ninth century. One of the first texts to mention the use of rockets was the Huolongjing, written by Jiao Yu in the mid 14th Century.

In Europe, the first book on rocketry, was published by the Politsh-Lithuanian “Kazimierz Siemienowicz” and was entitled “Artis Magnae Artilleriae pars prima” which translates as “The Complete Art of Artillery”

Here is a picture of a rocket which appeared in this early book!

Robert Goddard, is universally proclaimed as the father of “Modern Rocketry”. In 1917, the Smithsonian Institution gave him a grant to enable him to research rocketry. He attached a “de Laval” nozzle to a rocket motor to greatly improve its efficiency.

In this experiment, we will be workingwith ‘Solid Rocket Boosters’This is where the propellant is madefrom a solid oxidiser and fuel.

When rockets are launched into space,a combination of Solid Rocket Boostersand liquid Hydrogen and Oxygen fuelis often used to provide sufficient thrust.

Rocket Motors:

Rocket Motors:

De LavalNozzle

The De Laval Nozzle accelerates the hot gases coming from the burning charge to produce the thrust that propels the rocket skywards.

Rock

et

Moto

rs:

After ignition, therocket motorgenerates ‘thrust’.The rocket beginsto move quickly.Once the thrust-generating portionof the rocket motorhas been burnedthere is a delay.The rocket coastsand consumes the momentum it hasgained during the thrusting phase.

Rock

et

Moto

rs:

Different portions ofThe propellant insidethe rocket motor fulfildifferent functions:

Thrust:Provides the motion.

Delay:Allows the rocket to“coast”.

Recovery Charge:Can be used todeploy a parachute.

Launch Controller Circuit:

A complete circuit ignites the rocket motor.

Insert the igniter into the rocket motorInsert a plastic cap to retain the igniterin place and prevent it from falling out.

CAREFUL: Not to break the fragile igniter!

The wire that becomes hot when currentis passed through is VERY fragile.

We use a stiff rod to launch our rockets from in order to keep them stable in the very first moments of flight when they are moving slowly.

Make A Chip Cup Rocket:

You Will Need:

•Polystyrene Chip Cup•Rocket Motor•Piece of Straw (Launch Lug)•5 Minute Epoxy Glue

1.Decorate chip cup rocket2.Glue straw launch lug parallel with rocket motor3.Dip the end of the rocket motor without the hole in ‘epoxy resin’ glue and push inside the chip cup4. Insert igniter and prepare to launch!

The Obligatory Book Plug…

Found this session interesting?

Find many more interesting rocketry projects in my book:

50 Model Rocket Projects for the Evil Genius

ISBN-10: 0071469842By Gavin D. J. HarperDiscount Code:

ROYALINSTRAENG

For £5 off the RRP @

www.mcgraw-hill.co.uk/