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Pressure Vessel Question

Posted: Wed Nov 27, 2013 11:30 am
by Water Rocket Expert
If I compete in the class A, can my rocket pressure vessel be constructed out of fluorescent tube covers? Can my rocket be pressurized to 400 psi? Can by rocket drop heavy ballast out of the rocket for a tumble recovery (water or rockets or something heavy) ? TH:

Re: Pressure Vessel Question

Posted: Wed Nov 27, 2013 5:07 pm
by WRA2
Water Rocket Expert wrote:If I compete in the class A, can my rocket pressure vessel be constructed out of fluorescent tube covers? Can my rocket be pressurized to 400 psi? Can by rocket drop heavy ballast out of the rocket for a tumble recovery (water or rockets or something heavy) ? TH:
To answer your questions:

1. Yes the rocket can be constructed using a fluorescent lamp cover if you choose.
2. You can use whatever pressure you want as long as it is compressed air (no nitrogen, CO2 or any other gasses are allowed)
3. You can use any kind of deployment system you like (just remember that any "heavy ballast" you fly would count as the total weight towards the maximum weight of 1500 grams).
4. Your recovery system must meet the maximum touchdown speed and the rocket must be flown two times within 2 hours and the average of the two flights being considered the altitude.
5. You also need to compete the membership application http://wra2.org/WRA2_Membership_Application.php to be eligible to submit a record attempt (you will receive posting privileges in the record submission forum when you complete the application).

Good luck! PH:

Re: Pressure Vessel Question

Posted: Wed Nov 27, 2013 6:18 pm
by Water Rocket Expert
Thanks but can I use rocks as a weigh in the nose cone instead of metal. TH:

Re: Pressure Vessel Question

Posted: Wed Nov 27, 2013 6:25 pm
by WRA2
Water Rocket Expert wrote:Thanks but can I use rocks as a weigh in the nose cone instead of metal. TH:
The extra weight is going to adversely affect the altitude.

Sand or clay would work better and be safer than rocks.

Re: Pressure Vessel Question

Posted: Wed Nov 27, 2013 7:15 pm
by Water Rocket Expert
It is okay if the rocket drops rocks from high altitude? Just wondering. I'd be cool to see them splash in the water too!

Re: Pressure Vessel Question

Posted: Sat Nov 30, 2013 11:52 pm
by U.S. Water Rockets1
Water Rocket Expert wrote:It is okay if the rocket drops rocks from high altitude? Just wondering. I'd be cool to see them splash in the water too!
There's nothing stopping people from dropping rocks, launching mammalian passengers, or putting metal nozzles on their water rockets, except of course for the local laws. For the most part, you have to follow the hobby rocket rules for the area where you live. Every major government follows rules that restrict such things, and define acceptable parameters for weight and materials, so if you choose to break the law the only thing that can stop you is probably getting caught.