Amateur Experimental Rocketry is, in my humble opinion, one of the most challenging, exciting and educational hobbies. Unlike Model Rocketry or High Power Rocketry, experimental rocketry is an activity whereby rockets are designed and constructed entirely from "scratch". Most components -- including motor and propellant-- are self-made. The goal of Amateur Experimental Rocketry (AER), often simply referred to as Amateur Rocketry or Experimental Rocketry, is to design, build, test and launch rockets. In this context, rocket may refer to the motor itself, or to a complete vehicle that consists of motor, fuselage (and stabilizing devices such as fins), nosecone, and payload. One of the greatest challenges is to develop and build such a motor, one that is safe to produce and operate, reliable, and one that provides predictable and consistent performance. A second big challenge is to develop a recovery system, such as parachute deployment, that operates with a high degree of reliability under the demanding conditions of launch followed by high speed or high altitude flight. Striving to achieve these goals (and many others) and to overcome the inevitable obstacles, is what makes this such a challenging (and at times frustrating) and educational pastime, and one that requires diversified skills combined with a good dose of ingenuity. The outcome of all this, more often than not, is that one learns to genuinely comprehend that which is colloquially known as Rocket Science.

It might be said, then, that Model Rocketry and High Power Rocketry are best suited to those who wish to make and fly rockets, and Experimental Rocketry is perhaps best suited to those who rather wish to make rockets fly.

April 3, 2008 --I have uploaded my newest webpage (Purification of Low-grade Potassium Nitrate), which explains how potassium nitrate can be purified by a simple recrystallization process. Also, for those interested in building their own electronic load cell as described on my website, I have once again procured a new supply of strain gages which have proven very popular.

Feb.28, 2008 --My Links page has been updated with a link to a fascinating three-part interview in Sport Rocketry magazine in which Vern Estes (and his wife Gleda) describe the "Golden Days" when they started their own company to develop and manufacture hobby rocketry supplies over 50 years ago. Included are detailed descriptions of "Mabel", the ingenious machine that churned out model rocket motors at a rate of one every 5.5 seconds.

Feb.26, 2008 --One of the more interesting chemistry experiments that I have conducted in recent years is the subject of my latest webpage: Synthesis of Potassium Nitrate from Ammonium Nitrate. Made me feel like an alchemist, even if the resulting product was not the "philosopher's stone".

Jan.26, 2008 -- My webpage on making Igniters has been updated with the results of some of my latest experiments -- harvesting aluminum powder from paint, and "hot-particle" igniter compounds.

Nov.3, 2007 --The PDF article that I posted a while back "How I Got Started in Rocketry" has now been put into webpage format and illustrated.

Aug.1, 2007 --My Sneak Preview page has been updated with the results from my latest round of rocket motor test firings.

July 21, 2007 --In support of the Sugar Shot to Space program, I've recently performed some experiments with the aim of developing a simple, effective ablative liner for rocket motor parts. The results of this experimentation are documented in a new web page, Thermal Ablative Experimentation.

• Liberty "L-class" rocket motor powered by RNX composite propellant.
• Effect of potassium nitrate grade on rocket motor performance.