Help me understand Kurt. BKNO3 is used for rocket ignition, isn't it?
Yes BKNO3 is used for ignition. I've been told the zirconium can be very dangerous and powdered Boron is quite pricey. That's where "don't go there" came from as far as hobbyists are concerned. The government, NASA and the military have the means to do what they want and pull it off.
It's ok to click on the link, just don't get any ideas of trying to reproduce what the "big boys" do as it's not fun getting hurt. MTV igniters are doable and reasonably safe as long as one is well-versed with the safety of dealing with magnesium powder. Raw viton can be hard to find as one can't just chop up a cured viton gasket and get it to dissolve in anything. Teflon is easy to find. A first dip with a commercially available product is advisable and then the MTV. Note, I didn't discuss proportions here so not violating the rules. Oh, the commercially available igniter kits are reasonable too if one doesn't want to mess with the hassle of looking up recipes and trying to acquire the components. Or if one just flies certified loads, just use what's provided (except
I think I have to use my own igniters for Loki loads which is fine by me)
I realize the original question is, "What does the military use?" I just want to caution it isn't necessary for a hobbyist to attempt to emulate it, that's all. Kurt
Kurt