BYU student brewing rocket fuel in dorm kitchen causes massive ‘fireball’ explosion

New York Post ^ | February 21, 2022 | Patrick Reilly

[GingisK]

I shunned Estes rockets, and we "rolled our own". We enjoyed this a lot more, but did have to duck some fast movers.

Our most spectacular motor used zinc and sulfur for propellant; and, that required a steel thrust nozzle.

[GingisK]

I actually used the motor making kits, which were discontinued somewhere along the timeline.

[GingisK]

Stump remover at Home Depot.

[bert]

It has been 35 years or so since as an adult I ceased design efforts with model rockets.

As a 50’s teen we were eaten up with making rockets but never did very well.

I passed through Estes Colorado one day

Today I watched a video showing how to prepare the potassium nitrate and powdered sugar as very fine powder compacted into the rocket body capped at both ends with bentonite clay seals. The rocket soared 2,000 feet + which can likely be only marginally improved upon by making it actually solid.

was impressed

[GingisK]

As a high school kid in the 1960s, we made those very rockets. Ours were more like large bottle rockets since we used sticks for stability. Once we managed to ignite our 5 pound coffee can of the stuff, leading to better lab technique. ;-D

In 1967 we used smokeless powder, a CO2 cartridge, and molten lead to organize a trip to the emergency room. That hurt, but we all survived and learned a lot. The pulse-jet that followed was more carefully handled.

After my graduation ceremony my mother told me that she was surprised I lived long enough to graduate.

[markman46]

and where did you fly these monster engines?

[Rebelbase]

When I was a kid I used to make smoke bimbs that way.

[Rebelbase]

Saltpeter was 0.60/lb. at the feed store in the early 70s.

A lot of fun/trouble could be had for a couple of bucks.

[GingisK]

Farm fields close to Hopkinsville, Kentucky. We always asked first. Used topographical maps to find large space without buildings.

[GingisK]

This was our Bible when we graduated to serious things: Rocket Manual for Amateurs - By Capt. Bertrand R. Brinley

Fort Campbell granted us use of their artillery range; but, we never finished the construction of Alpha I.

[mo]

so thats what the local brand of meth is called...Rocket Fuel...

[taxcontrol]

My thoughts exactly

[GingisK]

Von Braun wen straight to liquid fuel.

[GingisK]

Wisdom born or experience. My findings exactly.

[Dr. Franklin]

Those Mormon youths should stick to making moonshine...

[dfwgator]

[griffin]

Nice!!

[Windcatcher]

Integza touched on this a bit.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ri-Jx5eeVIo

[griffin]

NICE!

[Clay Moore]

Actually, this is a massive rocket fuel explosion:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGSx54CkWsQ

Pepcon 1988 near Las Vegas NV. They manufactured the propellant used in the solid rocket boosters used in the space shuttle.