A Level 2nd Year STEM Student interested in the maths behind rockets

[surftor]

Hey rocketryforum community!
I currently take Physics, Maths, and Computer Science A-Levels (UK age 16-18 advanced qualifications) and I've been intrigued by the hobby as a whole, and wanted to get into it. I saw the "How to make sugar rockets" by TKOR on youtube, and wondered how safe is the building process? Will the (65% KNO3 and 35% icing/powdered sugar) mixture explode while I'm compressing it? Or if I blend the Potassium Nitrate will that do the same?
I can't afford ~£13 for each rocket motor so was just wondering if it's really that safe to make.
Thanks!
surftor

 

[SpaceX76]

I don't know much about the mixing/packing process however, I know that if the pvc motor casing fails it is extremely hard to get those plastic bits out of you.

Edit: why cant you just buy a smaller motor a c-6-5 costs like $12 for 3

 

[dhbarr]

I don't know UK rules, but I do know that in the US a person generally generally is recommended to be 18 years olds and a TRA L2 member before beginning such work.

Strongly suspect the rules where you are may be rather stricter. In any case, if you're unsure whether compressing rocket candy may cause a detonation, there's several pieces of fundamental safety knowledge missing from your mental model.

Very much recommend you instead join a local rocketry club and attend a few launches to talk to other rocketeers about commercial flights. Walk, -then- run

 

[Zeta]

Hey rocketryforum community!
I currently take Physics, Maths, and Computer Science A-Levels (UK age 16-18 advanced qualifications) and I've been intrigued by the hobby as a whole, and wanted to get into it. I saw the "How to make sugar rockets" by TKOR on youtube, and wondered how safe is the building process? Will the (65% KNO3 and 35% icing/powdered sugar) mixture explode while I'm compressing it? Or if I blend the Potassium Nitrate will that do the same?
I can't afford ~£13 for each rocket motor so was just wondering if it's really that safe to make.
Thanks!
surftor

Do you know how to use a flight simulator. It's a good way to test yourself. Run the calculations then run the simulator .... cost $0

Zeta

 

[mjennings]

As you are in the UK check out http://www.ukra.org.uk/.
UKRA is the UK Rocketry Association. They should have info on their site about the legal needs for research/DIY motors. Making motors is likely to be more expensive than commercial motors. And that is before factoring in the cost of the learning curve. Get Stine's "Handbook of Model Rocketry" oranother book see links below. I forget the UK name but the UK has a program for students your age similar to "the American Rocket Challenge". Look into it a nearby school may let you join if yours doesn't have one.
If you want a flavor of the danger read Hickam's "Rocket Boys" or Watch "October Sky". It's a memoir of 1960.'s American but the author almost blew himself upa few times.
https://www.amazon.com/Handbook-Model-Rocketry-7th-Official/dp/0471472425
https://www.amazon.com/Rocket-Boys-...hickam&qid=1631927792&sprefix=homer+hi&sr=8-4https://www.amazon.com/Make-Rockets...b7bee&pd_rd_wg=H8De7&pd_rd_i=1457182920&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/Rocket-Desig...ywords=tim+van+Milligan&qid=1631927431&sr=8-2https://www.amazon.com/Model-Rocket...l+genius+rocket+science&qid=1631927492&sr=8-1