clustering question

[stevem]

The answer to my question may seem obvious but I have been around long enough to know that what seems to be ain't always so.

I have a table I found somewhere that gives all the Estes motor data including the amount of weight the engine is supposed to be able to lift. Based on that, when doing a cluster, is it safe to assume that three engines will lift 3 times the weight that one engine will? I know there are other factors such as drag but for now I am just interested in figuring out how much power I need for a rocket based on its weight.

Thanks!
Steve

 

[Austin]

Steve,

In general, that is a good assumption, for example, 2 D12's would be equivalant to a single E24, 4 D12's to a F48, etc...about the only thing that does not change is burn duration, since all the motors would still burn out at around the same time interval.

Carl