461:
124:, and additives. The fuel is the substance that burns, releasing rapidly expanding gases that provide thrust as they exit the nozzle. The oxidizer provides oxygen, which is required for the burning process. The additives can be catalysts, to speed up or make the burning more efficient. However, some additives are more aesthetic, and can add sparks and flames to liftoff, or add smoke for ease of following the rocket in the air.
225:
279:, etc; can be and sometimes is used as a fuel in sugar formulations. Most often, however, a small amount of carbon is used as an opacifier, making a visible smoke trail. The carbon acts as a heat sink, keeping a portion of the heat of combustion located in the propellant rather than having it transferred quickly to the motor casing.
73:. Additives can be many different substances, and either act as catalysts or enhance the aesthetics of the liftoff or flight. A traditional sugar propellant formulation is typically prepared in a 65:35 (13:7) oxidizer to fuel ratio. This ratio can vary from fuel to fuel based on the rate of burn, timing and use.
343:
to ensure uniform mixing of the components. This mixture is then compressed into the motor tube, similar to the method for packing black powder into a muzzle loading rifle. However, this method is rarely used for serious experiments, and careful safety considerations should be made before deciding to
544:
rocket was lost at an altitude of nearly 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) going in excess of Mach 1. In 2017 Rick
Maschek and Chris Covany of the SS2S team successfully launched their 150mm potassium nitrate sorbitol propellant rocket at over Mach 2.5 and was followed later that same year by Rick and Eric
385:
and the sugar do not have to be finely powdered, because they both end up completely dissolved. It can be also be prepared at a lower temperature and requires less stirring. This method of preparation also causes the resultant propellant to resist caramelization in the pot, giving more time to pack
347:
Another, more common, and safer method of preparing a sugar-based rocket propellant is dry heating. First, the potassium nitrate is ground or milled to a fine powder, and then thoroughly mixed with powdered sugar which is then heated. This method does not actually melt the potassium nitrate, as the
232:
Additives are often added to rocket propellants to modify their burn properties. Such additives may be used to increase or decrease the burn rate of the propellant. Some are used to alter the color of the flame or smoke produced. They can also be used to modify a certain physical property of the
76:
There are many different methods for preparation of a sugar-based rocket propellant. Dry compression does not require heating; it requires only grinding the components and then packing them into the motor. However, this method is not recommended for serious experimenting, this is because dry
376:
and the sugar. The mixture is then heated and brought to a boil until the water evaporates. The mixture goes through several stages: first boiling, then bubbling and spitting, then its consistency becomes smooth and creamy. There are several advantages to dissolving the sugar and
319:
A typical sugar propellant formulation is typically prepared in a 13:7 oxidizer to fuel ratio (weight ratio). However, this formulation is slightly fuel rich, and can be varied by up to 10%. There are other possible formulations that allow for flight in amateur rocketry.
152:. Sugars with a double bonded oxygen, such as fructose and glucose, are less thermally stable and tend to caramelize when overheated. Sugars that have alcohol groups, like sorbitol, are much less prone to this decomposition. Some other commonly used sugars include
248:
have been found to increase the burn rate of sugar propellants. Such additives have been found to function best at levels from 1 to 5 percent. Most often used are iron oxides. Red iron oxide is used most often as it is somewhat easier to obtain than the
203:
Two main issues need to be addressed with respect to the oxidizer if one is using potassium nitrate. The most important issue is the purity of the material. If a purchased material does not perform satisfactorily it may be necessary to recrystallize the
360:
project. In which he does not grind or mill the potassium nitrate into a powder which results in a viscosity low enough to make the solution pourable when using sorbitol as the fuel for casting grains. The melting process must be performed using a
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article that continued over several issues, beginning in July 1958. Parkin described how to prepare the propellant mixture by using an electric frying pan as a heat source for the melting operation. This article was reprinted in Parkin's book,
386:
it into the motors. A possible negative is that the resultant propellant is a little thicker (more viscous). The mixture is not pourable and requires scooping into a mold, and won’t ever be as thin as the dry heating method.
545:
Beckner of the SS2S team with the first of two successful 300mm KNSB motor static motor tests, largest 'sugar' motors ever, at the
Friends of Amateur Rocketry (FAR) facility showing large 'sugar' motors could be made. The
85:
grains become suspended in the sugar. Alternatively, the method dissolving and heating involves both elements being dissolved in water and then combined by boiling the water off, creating a better mixture.
510:, which was published in 1959. Parkin's article contributed to the increasing popularity of the rocket candy propellant among amateur rocket groups beginning in the late 1950s and early 1960s.
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304:
metal in the form of flakes or sponge (about 20 mesh in size) is often added to sugar formulations at levels from 5 to 10% in order to produce a sparking flame and smoke on lift off.
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James Yawn advocates for the dissolving and heating method. Dissolving and heating the propellant actually dissolves both elements of the propellant and combines them. First, the KNO
89:
The specific impulse, total impulse, and thrust are generally lower for the same amount of fuel than other composite model rocket fuels, but rocket candy is significantly cheaper.
200:
can be acquired through purchasing a granular "stump remover" from stores that carry garden supplies. Other rarely used oxidizers are ammonium and potassium perchlorate.
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program (SS2S) was formed with the goal "to loft a rocket powered by a 'sugar propellant' into space" equivalent to 100 kilometres (62 mi) in altitude. The
290:
are used in a sugar formulation, a danger exists if traces of acids are found in the oxidizer. Acidic materials can react readily with the metal, producing
216:(about 150 μm) or smaller. This can be done using a coffee grinder. Rock-tumblers can also be used to mill into a fine grained well mixed powder.
407:
549:
rocket, now planned as a conventional 2-stage rocket design and the rocket expected to meet the goal of entering space, has not yet been completed.
92:
In the United States, rocket candy motors are legal to make, but illegal to transport without a low explosives users permit. Since they count as
328:
There are a number of different methods for preparing a sugar-based rocket propellant. These methods include dry compression, dry heating, and
241:
to facilitate the casting of the formulation. There are many types of experimental additives; the ones listed here are the most commonly used.
208:. The second important issue with respect to the oxidizer portion of a propellant is its particle size. Most propellant makers prefer their KNO
440:
based rocket propellants are capable of a specific impulse of ~100 seconds. These have an unconfined burn rate of about 1.3 mm/s.
49:. The propellant can be divided into three groups of components: the fuel, the oxidizer, and the (optional) additive(s). In the past,
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rocket, reached an altitude of 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) before a catastrophic motor malfunction occurred; contact with the second
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of 137 seconds. Overall, the performance characteristics of sugar rockets approach those of professional grade propellants.
77:
compression is less saturated, and can be dangerous if it falls out the rocket. Dry heating does not actually melt the KNO
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97:
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In dry compression, the sugar and potassium nitrate are individually ground as finely as possible, and then mixed in a
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commonly used as a sweetener in food, produces a propellant with a slower burn rate and is less brittle when made into
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and sugar are placed in a pot or saucepan. Then, just enough water is added to be able to completely dissolve the KNO
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Many different sugars are used as the fuel for rocket candy. The most common fuel is typically sucrose, however,
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Rocket candy was also employed in a small amateur rocket described by Lt. Col. Charles M. Parkin in a lengthy
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501:
20:
646:"Who needs a Federal explosives license or permit? | Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives"
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rocket was expected to reach 33 kilometres (21 mi), or one third of the goal altitude. The first
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versions. Brown iron oxide exhibits unusual burn rate acceleration properties under pressure.
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rockets with additives have been recorded as having specific impulses of up to 128 seconds.
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Rocket candy is also occasionally known as "caramel candy", a term that was popularized by
483:, published in 1960. This propellant was used in some of the amateur rockets described by
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Surfactants are used to reduce the melting viscosity of sugar propellants. For example,
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research launches which require users to hold a
Tripoli Rocketry Association high power
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with the melted sugar. An alternative to this method was used by Rick
Maschek of the
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38:
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Left is the sample of the basic mixture, right contains 1% of red iron oxide added
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is 323 °C (613 °F), but it melts the sugar and coats the grains of KNO
675:"Propellants - The Potassium Nitrate/Sorbitol Propellant (KNSB) - Introduction"
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Sugar-fueled rockets have been used as crude weapons of war, such as during
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helps to neutralize these acidic materials, greatly reducing their danger.
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Rocket candy can be broken down into three major groups of components:
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was most commonly used as fuel. Modern formulations most commonly use
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and heating. The latter two methods involve heating the propellant.
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The oxidizer most often used in the preparation of sugar motors is
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nitrates as well as mixtures of sodium and potassium nitrate. KNO
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rocket, a single-stage dual-pulse design motor prototype of the
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based propellants with a typical 35:65 ratio are capable of an I
402:) of between 114 and 130 seconds. Compare that to the average I
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helps reduce the melt viscosity of sucrose based propellants.
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104:. Users may also launch using these motors by applying for an
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of between 110 and 125 seconds. However, sorbitol and KNO
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for its ease of production. The most common oxidizer is
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in water before heating. One advantage is that the KNO
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composite propellant), which is 180 to 260 seconds.
294:and heat, a dangerous combination. The addition of
365:, so as to avoid creating autoignition hot-spots.
584:"Richard Nakka's Experimental Rocketry Web Site"
394:Sugar based rocket propellants have an average I
188:). Other oxidizers can be used as well, such as
818:Richard Nakka's Experimental Rocketry Web Site
212:ground to a small particle size, such as 100
8:
740:"Richard Nakka's Experimental Rocketry Site"
96:, they are typically launched at sanctioned
679:Richard Nakka's Experimental Rocketry Site
625:"ATFE Annual List of Explosive Materials"
81:, but it melts the sugar and then the KNO
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140:are sometimes used. As an alternative,
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814:(candy) rockets and rocket motors.
467:grain of a simple sorbitol mixture
14:
508:The Rocket Handbook for Amateurs
448:based fuels are capable of an I
754:"AP_Sugar_Fueled_Rockets_Hamas"
1:
787:"Sugar Shot to Space Project"
45:as a fuel, and containing an
16:Sugar-based rocket propellant
98:Tripoli Rocketry Association
233:propellant itself, such as
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481:Rocket Manual for Amateurs
348:melting temperature of KNO
282:If metallic fuels such as
69:is most commonly found in
18:
808:Amateur Rocketry web page
559:Black powder rocket motor
19:Not to be confused with
824:Recrystallized Rocketry
717:Serge's Rocket Workshop
502:Electronics Illustrated
21:Smarties (tablet candy)
810:in Spanish, featuring
704:The Jolley Rocket Site
468:
229:
515:the attacks on Israel
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102:level 2 certification
728:James Yawn Rocketry
487:in his best-selling
412:Ammonium perchlorate
344:employ this method.
41:made with a form of
564:Sugar Shot to Space
526:Sugar Shot to Space
473:Bertrand R. Brinley
358:Sugar Shot to Space
854:Solid-fuel rockets
844:Rocket propellants
588:nakka-rocketry.net
547:Extreme Sugar Shot
538:Extreme Sugar Shot
521:during 2000-2003.
469:
230:
71:tree stump remover
849:Rocket propulsion
613:Jacob's Rocketry
530:Double Sugar Shot
475:, in his book on
182:potassium nitrate
150:propellant grains
67:Potassium nitrate
59:potassium nitrate
35:rocket propellant
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864:Amateur rocketry
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789:. Archived from
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309:propylene glycol
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485:Homer Hickam
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456:Applications
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315:Formulations
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273:carbon black
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235:plasticizers
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27:Rocket candy
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859:Solid fuels
650:www.atf.gov
593:19 November
493:Rocket Boys
390:Performance
324:Preparation
239:surfactants
833:Categories
655:2023-08-27
570:References
330:dissolving
296:weak bases
154:erythritol
112:Components
337:ball mill
288:magnesium
220:Additives
176:Oxidizers
122:oxidizers
812:sorbitol
553:See also
442:Dextrose
416:Sorbitol
302:Titanium
292:hydrogen
284:aluminum
277:graphite
269:charcoal
170:mannitol
166:maltitol
162:lactitol
142:sorbitol
138:fructose
55:sorbitol
47:oxidizer
632:ATF.gov
444:and KNO
436:and KNO
434:Xylitol
418:and KNO
341:tumbler
194:calcium
158:xylitol
134:glucose
51:sucrose
31:R-Candy
766:20 May
489:memoir
406:of an
265:Carbon
251:yellow
246:oxides
244:Metal
190:sodium
628:(PDF)
519:Hamas
465:BATES
259:black
257:, or
255:brown
168:, or
128:Fuels
118:fuels
43:sugar
29:, or
768:2021
595:2015
524:The
408:APCP
214:mesh
192:and
184:(KNO
144:, a
136:and
61:(KNO
37:for
517:by
377:KNO
339:or
286:or
237:or
204:KNO
106:FAA
65:).
835::
776:^
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630:.
603:^
586:.
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479:,
450:sp
424:sp
404:sp
396:sp
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