Q&A for How to Make Sugar Rockets

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  • Question
    Why do I need to use two pipes, one inside another?
    Community Answer
    You don't. It's just that most PVC pipes with suitable sizes for rockets are for electrical wiring and thus are not designed to withstand a great deal of pressure. These pipes also tend to be low in quality and have a tendency to fissure. Adding the second pipe inside the first serves to help with distributing the force of the pressure. I have been using 25 mm electrical tubing for my rocket motors for years and I can tell you that if it doesn't crack during the powder packing, then it won't burst in flight either, as the heat generated softens the plastic and makes it more malleable. The motor will slightly expand from the heat and pressure, but it should not burst.
  • Question
    Can I multiply the sugar to make a bigger rocket?
    Community Answer
    Yes. If you want larger quantities, multiply every ingredient by the same ratio.
  • Question
    Can I make sugar rockets for a school project?
    Community Answer
    I am doing a sugar rocket for my independent study in science class, so personally I think it's completely acceptable
  • Question
    How do I make a fuse?
    Community Answer
    Soak yarn in a mixture of potassium nitrate, sugar, and water and then bake it dry. Check YouTube for further instructions.
  • Question
    What can I use instead of clay, cat litter, or quick-set cement?
    Community Answer
    Durham's Rock Hard Water putty is easier to use and relatively inexpensive.
  • Question
    I can't find potassium nitrate in stores. Where can I get some?
    Community Answer
    Amazon - Spectricide Stump Remover is 100% potassium nitrate and is around $7.00 for 1 lb. These are graduals and need to be ground; an old coffee grinder works well.
  • Question
    What if I melt together propellants?
    Community Answer
    They will mess up the rocket so please don't do it.
  • Question
    Could I use paper coin rollers as the casing for sugar rockets?
    Community Answer
    You cannot, since the walls are way too thin and it would burn right through.
  • Question
    Can I make potassium nitrate from fertilizers?
    Community Answer
    You're confusing potassium nitrate with ammonium nitrate, the fertilizer, (AN) 34-0-0. Not interchangeable.
  • Question
    How do I decorate the rockets?
    Community Answer
    You could use spray paint or any other art materials to decorate your rocket however you'd like.
  • Question
    Do I have to get a license to launch these in the UK?
    Community Answer
    No. You only need a license if you're making them with the intention of selling them.
  • Question
    How could I go about creating a bigger motor? Is there any difference in the process?
    Community Answer
    Just increase the potassium nitrate and sugar ratio by the same amount, and use a longer pipe.
  • Question
    Are sugar rockets illegal in the USA?
    Community Answer
    No, sugar rockets are not illegal in the USA.
  • Question
    Will the rocket fly with the wooden stick, or will it tear off the paper tape?
    Community Answer
    The rocket will fly with the stick because it needs the stick to fly properly. Since the center of mass needs to be behind the center of thrust for it to fly straight, then the stick is necessary to stop it from spiraling out of control.
  • Question
    Can I use a cardboard tube instead?
    Community Answer
    No, you cannot. It will catch on fire and/or explode soon after ignition.
  • Question
    Can I take this to school for a science fair project?
    Community Answer
    Yes, as long as your parents and school are okay with it.
  • Question
    What kind of danger does this chemical pose to a PVC pipe if it isn't cooked?
    Community Answer
    Which chemical? Sugar or KNO3 alone will not damage the pipe. Mixed - even if dry-mixed (not cooked) - the pipe could explode, though that is unlikely.
  • Question
    Is there any replacement for potassium nitrate?
    Community Answer
    No. Potassium nitrate is one of the main ingredients in simple explosives. This mixture is actually a simplified form of black powder. You can substitute the other ingredients, but not the oxidizer (potassium nitrate).
  • Question
    Could I stabilize my rocket by adding tilted fins so it'll spin?
    Community Answer
    Yes, adding fins will increase stability on your rocket. However, avoid putting the fins too close to the nozzle.
  • Question
    Will the rocket still work if the propellant is allowed to cool down after the mixing? Maybe after a day or two?
    Community Answer
    The propellant will work exactly the same no matter its temperature. So long as you leave the finished rocket in a safe and appropriate place it should still work no matter how long ago you made it.
  • Question
    How high will a sugar rocket go?
    Community Answer
    This depends on the rocket's weight and thrust. You can calculate that with simple high school physics.
  • Question
    How can I make a stand for the sugar rocket? Can I purchase one?
    Community Answer
    You could use a vise, which can be gotten at any hardware store. You could also just tape the rocket down to something heavy with duct tape.
  • Question
    How can I make the flight time shorter?
    Community Answer
    Shorter flight times can be achieved by using less propellant. The converse is also true: more propellant will allow you to achieve a longer flight time.
  • Question
    Would it be possible to put a GoPro on a sugar rocket?
    Community Answer
    If you don't mind ever seeing it again. If the heat doesn't destroy it, the fall will.
  • Question
    Are sugar rockets legal in Romania?
    Community Answer
    No, they are not legal in Romania.
  • Question
    How high will this rocket go?
    Community Answer
    Only about two feet, with this ratio. You must use a great deal of fuel to achieve any significant height.
  • Question
    Do I have to cook the mixture?
    Community Answer
    Yes, it helps to cook the mixture in order to bind the ingredients together properly. However, dry packing works just as well, if not better.
  • Question
    Are sugar rockets legal in the UK?
    Community Answer
    Sugar rockets are likely to be considered illegal in the UK. Under the Explosives Act 1875, manufacturing solid rocket motors (defined as mixing the solid compounds necessary to make the solid propellant for a solid rocket motor) is illegal.
  • Question
    Are sugar rockets legal in Western Australia, Australia?
    Community Answer
    Yes, but they are limited to 63.5 grams of propellant. The Australian Civil Aviation Authority has rules around them, as does the Department of Mines. If you go over 63g of propellant per engine, you need a fireworks licence. The law is silent on daisy chain engines, that could be interesting.
  • Question
    I don't understand. Should I use paper tubes or PVC?
    Community Answer
    When dealing with pyrotechnics compounds, never use PVC. In the event of a malfunction, PVC creates shrapnel. Paper/cardboard is a far safer material to work with. If you don’t want to make your own, you can find cardboard tubes at pyrotechnics suppliers and they are fairly cheap.
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