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 13, 2010 --It has been a while since my last update. Now that spring has arrived, and with it, "static testing" season, I have plans for some interesting rocketry work. Read about it in my Sneak Preview page.

Aug.4, 2009 --On my Sneak Preview page I have some photos of a new rocket motor that I recently completed. This motor will be test fired next month, and is intended to provide data that will complete the characterization of RNX epoxy-based propellants. I actually began this RNX project over a year ago, however, the motor I was using CATOed. It took quite a lot of investigation and analysis to try to understand why this happened. The new motor has a modified nozzle design which I believe should remedy this issue. We'll see what happens, and whether my theory as to what caused the CATO is on-the-mark.

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