Questions about Two-Stage Estes Engines/Motors

The Rocketry Forum

Help Support The Rocketry Forum:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

StephenThorne

Member
Joined
Jul 22, 2011
Messages
18
Reaction score
0
Hey guys. I need some answers on how to two stage a rocket with estes D engines/motors. links to youtube would be nice, or some pics. thanks a bunch!
 
There are two basic techniques.
  1. Taping the forward end of the -0 motor to the nozzle of the upper stage motor with cellophane tape and friction fitting the two in the rocket and booster.
  2. Gap staging where there is up to a 10" or more gap between the motors. This requires venting of the booster tube to prevent booster separation before the upper motor ignites. Search "gap staging" on TRF for lots of threads.
 
There are two basic techniques.
  1. Taping the forward end of the -0 motor to the nozzle of the upper stage motor with cellophane tape and friction fitting the two in the rocket and booster.
  2. Gap staging where there is up to a 10" or more gap between the motors. This requires venting of the booster tube to prevent booster separation before the upper motor ignites. Search "gap staging" on TRF for lots of threads.

I designed a rocket that took 3 engines stacked
 
That collection of Estes reports that shread posted is definitely worth getting and keeping a copy. Lots of good info in there--

Just in case you somehow cannot get to that website, the Estes report on staging is also available (by itself) at
https://www.ninfinger.org/rockets/EstesTR2.pdf

Back in the olden days Estes used to include a little reference booklet stapled into the middle of their catalogs. This little 'yellow' book covered a lot of the basics on how to build and launch all sorts of model rockets. This can still be found for free at
https://www.ninfinger.org/rockets/nostalgia/69estp49.html
Turn to page 62 for multi-stage instructions
A similar booklet by Estes can be had at
https://www.ninfinger.org/rockets/nostalgia/alpha00.html
And a similar booklet by Centuri is posted at
https://www.ninfinger.org/rockets/catalogs/centuridesign/cendesign.html
Staging info is at
https://www.ninfinger.org/rockets/catalogs/centuridesign/cendesign26.html

Another approach to describing all this stuff is available from Apogee at
https://www.apogeerockets.com/education/how_to_multi-stage.asp
https://www.apogeerockets.com/education/downloads/newsletter98.pdf
https://www.apogeerockets.com/education/downloads/newsletter99.pdf

You should also get hold of a copy of Stine's Handbook of Model Rocketry (any edition); you can find them used at pretty cheap prices on Amazon
 
That "booklet" is the technical manual and it has been updated (just like the Classic Collection) to reference modern motors and igniters and it is also on the Estes website. (It has E9 motors, those were not around in 1971). https://www2.estesrockets.com/pdf/2819_Estes_Model_Rocketry_Technical_Manual.pdf



Estes also has loaded a HUGE NUMBER of the old Estes and a few Centuri catalogs on their website. They are SERIOUS about running a comprehensive model Rocket company and resource site.

https://www.estesrockets.com/customer-service/full-catalog/


I'm partial to the 1971 catalog, myself. :D
 
Back
Top