Sketches

Here are a few sketches that I finally found time to scan:

Progress Report

So I've gotten some work done making the rocket launch pad and the ignition system. They can be seen here:




So the first image is of the piezoelectric ignition system. I ripped apart a grill lighter, stole the little piezo and modified the casing (and colored it like a coral snake!). Now it makes a spark between the two copper wires coming out the top.



The second is of the rocket launch pad... similar to the wings one I sketched up before.

This is a wings model of the rocket launcher that I'm planning on constructing for my hydrogen rocket. The brown pieces are wooden and leave a gap for the rocket fins which are larger here than they will be in reality. The rocket itself sits in the wooden rocket 'cradle' which will be tilted toward the sky on some sort of stand.



This one is my design for adding the gas to the rocket. The rocket will begin full of water, and then the gas will come in through the pipe with all the bends. The water inside of the rocket will leave through the other short pipe with the narrow end. The thing in the middle is the piezoelectric sparker which will ignite the rocket. All three things will go through a rubber stopper so that the water doesn't pour out the bottom of the rocket when it is resting on the launch pad.

Re-Entering the Atmosphere

Well ok, it's the atmosphere of rocketry. In any case, I've been drawing up some plans for a hydrogen powered rocket. Hydrogen and oxygen gas are obtained through the electrolysis of water. The process is sped up considerably by the addition of electrolytes.

There has been a new breakthrough in rocket construction! I plan on using fluorescent light bulb protectors as rocket bodies. They are very lightweight, transparent, and fairly durable ... although they have yet to be put to the test.

Gas is going to be generated with a DC battery and piped into the rocket to displace water. Once the water is out of the rocket it will be ignited with a piezo and fly (hopefully) into the air!

More soon!