Lets just for a moment forget the fact that if you wheel one of these up to a demonstration, convention, or rally your going to get all sorts of unwanted attention like getting thrown into a police car or shot in the head by a sniper. But then again, maybe you like that sort of thing… Kids today…
Anyway, other than that the idea is pretty cool. If you want to read a pretty good over view of how a modern high powered rocket works this is it. Because the BATF has made obtaining black powder motors next to impossible, the NO2 (nitrous oxide) and plastic motors have become very popular. Its amazing what will produce thrust if you give it a good oxidizer.
Technical specifications:
Maximum speed: approx. 475 m/s or 2600 km/h
Apogee: 5200 meters at a launch angle of 85 degrees
Net weight: 8,5 kg
Fuel weight: 3.8 kgComponent list:
Steel tube Ø 102 mm
Acrylic tube Ø 100 mm
Rocket head: Fiberglass / epoxy
Cupper nozzle
Parachute
Fuel grain: LPDE polyethylene block
Oxidizer: N20
Bolts, nuts
Launching pad
Launch Control Box:
Polyethylene box, electric cords, electric switches