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Solid fuel at least is more controlled. You can ignite them from a very safe distance. I've never been hurt by an actual rocket motor, but I thought I lost a f
by Loughla 2y ago
Solid fuel at least is more controlled. You can ignite them from a very safe distance.
I've never been hurt by an actual rocket motor, but I thought I lost a finger with the woosh rocket that exploded. . . Luckily just a cut and some burns and not on my face.
- hermitcrab 2y agoSolid fuel motors are quite hard to ignite. So they are pretty safe from that point of view. But: Once the motor is ignited, nothing will put it out. Not even immersion in water. The motors are not made to NASA standard and don't always do the expected thing. Model rockets with solid fuel motors can go 1000s of feet. If they come down in one piece without a parachute (which does happen). You don't want to be under it. They can set fire to dry ground. I've seen it happen. None of the above are an issue if you are being sensible, following guidelines and paying attention.
- TeMPOraL 2y agoAlso: solid fuel motors may be quite hard to ignite for launch, but solid fuel itself is damn easy to ignite when you're making it yourself. Take care, keep containers pointing away from your face at all times, and generally FIRE HAZARD. Also: a bad fuel mixture will clog your nozzle with "solid combustion residue", as we called it with my friend, leading to the infamous rapid unplanned disassembly (the motor will promptly explode), so if you value your life and not being in prison, never ever use metal containers for it. Thin PVC pipe dangerous enough in case of RUD, but is much less likely to kill you. (Obviously, I too somehow survived childhood unharmed...)
- hermitcrab 2y agoBear in mind that making solid fuel motors without a licence is also illegal in some countries (such as the UK).