[Unknown Target]

How do you build [big, real-life, send-you-to-orbit] rocket engines? I have to write a paper for someone, but I can't really find this info.


EDIT: I'm not expecting anyone here to be well-versed, but a link to info would be really appreciated

Thanks!

[demon442]

Build a giant tube with a funnel at the bottom, fill it with rocket fuel (solid oxygen?), 'light the candle' and run.

[beatspete]

Solid or liquid?  
Solid rocket boosters (SRBs) are the 2 white rockets on the side of the space shuttle. They can't be shut off once started, but are fairly simple.
Good link - http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/technology/sts-newsref/srb.html


And for your liquid engines (the kind on-board a space shuttle/craft)
http://woodmansee.com/science/rocket/r-liquid/index-liquid.html

phear google.

[Odyssey]

http://ars.userfriendly.org/cartoons/?id=20040403

[Bobboau]

look into "the x-prize"

[Unknown Target]

Thanks beatspete, but I really mean to build, such as materials, tools, etc. I already have that info
BTW, when writing a paper, do you have to make your own pictures, or can you use others as long as you put them in the bibleograhpy?

[an0n]

Aren't liquid-fuel rockets banned? I thought the Challenger Disaster lead to them being considered amazingly unsafe.

[Unknown Target]

Nope, they're not. Challenger was blown up by a busted O-Ring. That particular flaw has been fixed, I believe.
But that's not the point of this thread

[Bobboau]

not only that but it was caused by a defect in the SOLID fuel rockets

[Unknown Target]

I was thinking that they were solid-fuel, but I didn't want to say it and be wrong. Thanks for the clarification, Bob

Anyway, can anyone help me with my research problem?

[Janos]

How big?

If doing just a small one, buy some gunpowder and a cardboard pipe.

[diamondgeezer]

Originally posted by demon442
(solid oxygen?)

Please tell me you're making a funny with this one

[Odyssey]

[color=cc9900]He's not, I eat the stuff regularly. It makes a great salad sauce if you melt it a bit. Helps curries burn your mouth too.[/color]

[Unknown Target]

You can freeze oxygen if it's cold enough

Anyway, big enough to propell a large payload into space, Janos.

[beatspete]

Originally posted by Unknown Target
Thanks beatspete, but I really mean to build, such as materials, tools, etc. I already have that info
BTW, when writing a paper, do you have to make your own pictures, or can you use others as long as you put them in the bibleograhpy?

I think you need to look at your question a bit.  Rockets to get a "large payload" into space weigh hundreds of tons.  You can't make them in your garage.

doesnt mean people aren't trying,
http://www.starchaser.co.uk


Oh and yes, but use the bibleography. Who are you writing it for?  I don't think many people would ask you to draw your own rocket motor diagrams...

[Corsair]

Large amounts of black powder.

[Stealth[cro]]

Originally posted by Corsair
Large amounts of black powder.

Packed or non-packed?

As an alternaticve to all those sites, maybe a downloadable Anarchist's Cookbook would do I recall a couple of schematics for single and multi-stage rockets.

[Unknown Target]

I'm not trying to make them in my garage. This is all for 1000 Planets (www.1000planets.com). I'm working part time (hopefully full-time, if we actually get something into space) for them, and I need to write up this proposal, so the company heads can know what options are out there.
But I didn't tell you that!

[demon442]

DG: Actually, at the time I wasn't sure if there was such a thing as solid oxygen.  So, to avoid making an ass of myself, I put it in parenthesis (sp?).

While we're speaking of the AC, soes anybody have a copy with the measurment still intact?  All the copies that i've downloaded have lost the critical measurments in the better explosives.  I'm making 4th of July fireworks this year.

For a cheaper method, use the bottle-rocket as a model.  Heavily packed gunpowder in a tube with a hole in the bottom for the force to escape.  Make it big enough and with enough powder and I guess its possible to get into space if it dosent explode in midair.

[wizz33]

look at the Space.com message boords (mission @ lounches)

some good sites, compangies
http://www.hobbyspace.com/Links/RLVNews.html (the rocket compangie)
www.spaceX.com
http://www.scaled.com/
http://www.armadilloaerospace.com/n.x/Armadillo/Home
(Jhon carmac of doom(III) fame)

i hope you find your aswers here