What is High Power Rockerty?
High Power Rocketry, also known as HPR, is similar to model rocketry with differences that include the propulsion power and weight increase of the model. They use motors in ranges over “G” power and/or weigh more than laws and regulations allow for unrestricted model rockets. Like model rockets, High Power rockets are typically made of safer, non-metallic materials such as cardboard, plastic, and wood, however, construction and recovery techniques usually differ somewhat, due to the requirements imposed by the use of HPR motors. This means that these models must be constructed in such a way that they have the ability to safely fly under these higher stress conditions.
High Power rocket motors cannot be purchased over the counter by the general consumer and typically are not carried by your average hobby store. They can be mail-ordered or purchased at some launch sites by adult modelers who are High Power certified, which is a requirement to purchase and use them. The NAR offers a three level certification program for modelers who want to fly high power rockets. Also, High Power rockets must be flown in compliance with their own separate High Power Rocket Safety Code.
Launching High Power rockets requires more preparation than launching model rockets. Not only is a larger field needed, but FAA clearance must be arranged, well in advance of the launch date. There may also be local or state regulatory issues to be addressed before you can fly your first high power rocket. This is another good reason for joining a NAR Section — many organized clubs already have the personnel and experience in making these tedious arrangements, freeing you to concentrate on the actual flying.
High Power rocket motors cannot be purchased over the counter by the general consumer and typically are not carried by your average hobby store. They can be mail-ordered or purchased at some launch sites by adult modelers who are High Power certified, which is a requirement to purchase and use them. The NAR offers a three level certification program for modelers who want to fly high power rockets. Also, High Power rockets must be flown in compliance with their own separate High Power Rocket Safety Code.
Launching High Power rockets requires more preparation than launching model rockets. Not only is a larger field needed, but FAA clearance must be arranged, well in advance of the launch date. There may also be local or state regulatory issues to be addressed before you can fly your first high power rocket. This is another good reason for joining a NAR Section — many organized clubs already have the personnel and experience in making these tedious arrangements, freeing you to concentrate on the actual flying.
Here's the motor class schedule for HPR: (All figures in Newton Seconds (Ns) of thrust/force)
H 160.01 to 320
I 320.01 to 640
J 640.01 to 1280
K 1280.01 to 2560
L 2560.01 to 5120
M 5120.01 to 10,240
N 10,240.01 to 20,480
O 20,480.01 to 40,960
For comparison, an Estes D12-5 has 17Ns of thrust... and that large O motor at the end of the list produces up to 40,960 ns of thrust (that's 1,936 lbs)! Even a loaded porta-pottie would do 10K with one of those under it!
HP rockets also commonly fly with on-board flight computers (aka altimeters) that precisely control the ejection charges to push out one or two chutes. When a HP rocket flies with two parachutes, this configuration is called Dual Deployment (DD). DD works when the flight computer ignites a black powder charge that ejects a small (drogue) chute at apogee. This small chute minimizes the drift of a HPR falling from a high apogee flight. Later the computer fires a second black powder charge at a low altitude (normally around 700 to 1000 feet) to eject a large chute. This larger chute slows the rocket down to a more suitable descent rate for a damage free landing (usually around 15 to 20 fps). Altimeters also record data, such as, apogee altitude, maximum velocity, acceleration, air temperature, flight time, etc. too. More sophisticated flight computers include GPS data transmitted to your laptop during the flight for tracking purposes.
With the higher power rocket motors, many rocketeers have flown rockets that have exceeded 20,000' agl (above ground level). A few have breached our atmosphere and pushed into space! ( Take a look at THIS )
To fly high power rockets you must be certified. Fortunately, the certification is not only easy, but fun too. Please see our "Certification" page on this site to learn a bit about what's involved in gaining your certification. Just let us know when you ready to begin your certification process; Either I, or another member, will be more than happy to help you accomplish this.
H 160.01 to 320
I 320.01 to 640
J 640.01 to 1280
K 1280.01 to 2560
L 2560.01 to 5120
M 5120.01 to 10,240
N 10,240.01 to 20,480
O 20,480.01 to 40,960
For comparison, an Estes D12-5 has 17Ns of thrust... and that large O motor at the end of the list produces up to 40,960 ns of thrust (that's 1,936 lbs)! Even a loaded porta-pottie would do 10K with one of those under it!
HP rockets also commonly fly with on-board flight computers (aka altimeters) that precisely control the ejection charges to push out one or two chutes. When a HP rocket flies with two parachutes, this configuration is called Dual Deployment (DD). DD works when the flight computer ignites a black powder charge that ejects a small (drogue) chute at apogee. This small chute minimizes the drift of a HPR falling from a high apogee flight. Later the computer fires a second black powder charge at a low altitude (normally around 700 to 1000 feet) to eject a large chute. This larger chute slows the rocket down to a more suitable descent rate for a damage free landing (usually around 15 to 20 fps). Altimeters also record data, such as, apogee altitude, maximum velocity, acceleration, air temperature, flight time, etc. too. More sophisticated flight computers include GPS data transmitted to your laptop during the flight for tracking purposes.
With the higher power rocket motors, many rocketeers have flown rockets that have exceeded 20,000' agl (above ground level). A few have breached our atmosphere and pushed into space! ( Take a look at THIS )
To fly high power rockets you must be certified. Fortunately, the certification is not only easy, but fun too. Please see our "Certification" page on this site to learn a bit about what's involved in gaining your certification. Just let us know when you ready to begin your certification process; Either I, or another member, will be more than happy to help you accomplish this.