I feel like making some rockets. Some simple-as-possible rockets. Some
1-pound sugar/karo syrup/potassium nitrate dissolved in water and cooked on an electric skillet then stuffed in a PVC pipe section rockets - I think that's about 1 inch inside by 1 foot long.So. How much does a nozzle improve the rocket performance - is it worthwhile to start with?
Is there an effective dead-simple parachute system, or is it easier to let your PVC tube crash somewhere empty? I was thinking of a small parachute attached to the top by thread at its edges and just draped over the top of the capped PVC pipe.
What are good sources for slow fuse or an about as simple and at least as safe alternate ignition system (that aren't online, I know about skylighter and firefox)?
If you're dissolving the KNO3 in water, is technical grade worth it over fertilizer? Are there things to look for (or probably avoid) in the fertilizer?
ps I don't have the nerve for this kind of experimentation, but if I remember my chemistry correctly Calcium Nitrate would give better performance than KNO3, and I think it's about as cheap and available as KNO3 fertilizer. Is there a reason it isn't used?