High Power Rocketry

Taking rocketry to the next level

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What is a High Power Rocket?

•  Not to be confused with a model rocket •  Significantly larger, more powerful, more

dangerous •  Need FAA waivers to fly •  Uses ammonium perchlorate composite

propellant (APCP) or experimental propellants – Typically not black powder

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Rules and Regulations

•  NFPA 1127 •  High Power Rocket Safety Code

–  Certification –  Materials –  Motors –  Ignition system –  Misfires –  Launcher –  Size –  Flight safety –  Launch site –  Recovery system

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How do I get certified?

National Association of Rocketry (NAR) •  Level 1

–  Build and successfully fly a conventional rocket with a single H or I commercial motor.

•  Level 2 –  Build and successfully fly a

conventional rocket with a single J, K or L commercial motor and pass a written exam (88% or better).

•  Level 3 –  Build and successfully fly a

conventional rocket with a single M, N, or O commercial motor and have the design verified by the L3CC.

Tripoli Rocketry Association (TRA) •  Level 1

–  Build and successfully fly a conventional rocket with a single H or I commercial motor.

•  Level 2 –  Build and successfully fly a

conventional rocket with a single J, K or L commercial motor and pass a written exam.

•  Level 3 –  Build and successfully fly a

conventional rocket with a single M, N, or O commercial motor and have the design verified by 2 TAP members and have successfully completed a flight using electronic deployment mechanisms.

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Level 1 High Power Rockets

•  Impulse range 160-640 N-s OR

•  Greater than 80 N average thrust OR

•  Greater than 125g of propellant OR

•  Uses a hybrid motor OR •  Weighs more than 1.5 kg

including propellant OR •  Includes ductile metal in

the airframe •  Includes H and I motors

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Level 2 High Power Rockets

•  Impulse range 640-5,120 N-s

•  Includes J, K, and L motors

•  More advanced rocket systems than Level 1.

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Level 3 High Power Rockets

•  Impulse range 5,120-40,960 N-s

•  Includes M, N, O commercial motors and larger experimental motors

•  Typically involve electronics for deployment and much heftier construction.

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Class 3 Rockets

•  A rocket with total impulse exceeding 40,960 N s

•  Equivalent to a P motor and greater

•  Requires a special FAA approval in addition to FAA waiver

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Engineering Considerations

•  Stronger materials – Fiberglass, carbon fiber, thick plywood

•  Electric systems – Parachute deployment, data sensing and

acquisition, tracking, beaconing, lights •  Aerodynamics

– Stability, fin flutter, Mach number •  Thermal

– High velocities, recovery pyros, electric systems

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