#1
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*Steam* model rockets!
Hello All,
I came across a description (with a photograph--please see the two attached scans below) of a steam-powered model rocket that was developed in the late 1950s by Admiral Robert C. Truax, who is known for his steam rocket motor that powered Evel Knievel's Skycycle. It is on pages 684 and 685 of the NASA Reference Publication 1028 ("A New Dimension--Wallops Island Flight Test Range: The First Fifteen Years" by Joseph Adams Shortal), which was published in December 1978. The text is as follows: TRUAX STEAM ROCKET Admiral R. C. Truax of the Office of Naval Research had been involved with rocket engine development since the late 1930's. As a sideline interest, he invented a steam rocket as a possible answer to the need for an inexpensive and safe rocket for amateur and student scientists. The rocket was 6 feet 8 inches long and weighed 47.5 pounds with 30 pounds of water as the propellant. A propane gas burner was used to heat the water to a high temperature and pressure prior to launch. It exhausted from the rocket nozzle as steam. Truax had interested Experiment, Inc., of Richmond, Virginia, in developing the rocket, which they then offered for sale for $225, plus $275 for a launcher. A parachute recovery system for the payload was provided (ref. 75). In January 1959, ONR asked NASA for permission to launch some of the Truax rockets at Wallops Island to verify their calculated performance. ONR was interested in the rockets for use in cloud seeding for weather modification at altitudes up to 30,000 feet. The calculated altitude achievable by the steam rocket was stated to be between 50,000 and 75,000 feet. Krieger [Dr. Robert L. Krieger, the Director of the Wallops Island Facility] was interested in this unique rocket approach for amateurs and recommended that the requested assistance be provided. He assigned a PARD [Pilotless Aircraft Research Directorate, the old Wallops organization name under the NACA (National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics)] designation of B20 to the vehicles because of their developmental nature. Figure 462 [see the attached scans below] shows two of the three rockets prepared for launching on February 25, 1959. Under the direction of Admiral Truax, launch operations were carried out by representatives of Experiment, Inc., and ONR, with Wallops' assistance. The first rocket, launched at 1:48 p.m., left the launcher smoothly and appeared to be stable during and after powered flight. The performance, however, was disappointing. Tha altitude reached was only 5,000 feet, and the nose cone failed to open as planned, to deploy chaff. In the second attempt, the safety valve on the rocket opened during the heating cycle, and no launch was made. In the third attempt, at 4:04 p.m., the altitude reached was only 2,000 feet, and considerable wobble was noted in the flight. The parachute did not deploy (ref 76). Despite this less-than-expected level of performance, the tests did demonstrate that steam could be used as a rocket propellant. [This performance would be fine for model rocket purposes. References 75 and 76 are below, and below them are the attached scans.] 75. The Truax Steam Rocket, Model TR-1, A High Performance Rocket Designed Specifically for the Serious Amateur and Student Scientist. Experiment Incorporated, Richmond, Va. 76. Wallops PARD Log, Feb. 25, 1959.
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Black Shire--Draft horse in human form, model rocketeer, occasional mystic, and writer, see: http://www.lulu.com/content/paperba...an-form/8075185 http://www.lulu.com/product/cd/what...of-2%29/6122050 http://www.lulu.com/product/cd/what...of-2%29/6126511 All of my book proceeds go to the Northcote Heavy Horse Centre www.northcotehorses.com. NAR #54895 SR |
#2
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Fascinating!
I would think that this method would fall under the HPR category... 30 lbs. of water fuel? How many ft. per second did it say? Nice...!
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-Brain SKY AYE ROCKETRY Follow Your Impulse! |
#3
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Quote:
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Black Shire--Draft horse in human form, model rocketeer, occasional mystic, and writer, see: http://www.lulu.com/content/paperba...an-form/8075185 http://www.lulu.com/product/cd/what...of-2%29/6122050 http://www.lulu.com/product/cd/what...of-2%29/6126511 All of my book proceeds go to the Northcote Heavy Horse Centre www.northcotehorses.com. NAR #54895 SR |
#4
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Other than being able to fly them during a burn ban, I would think the complexity, the length of time needed to liftoff once on the pad and that fact that more than 15 or 30 feet separation is required would turn many people off. Just saying... Bill
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It is well past time to Drill, Baby, Drill! If your June, July, August and September was like this, you might just hate summer too... Please unload your question before you ask it unless you have a concealed harry permit. : countdown begin cr dup . 1- ?dup 0= until cr ." Launch!" cr ; Give a man a rocket and he will fly for a day; teach him to build and he will spend the rest of his days sanding... |
#5
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Quote:
__________________
Black Shire--Draft horse in human form, model rocketeer, occasional mystic, and writer, see: http://www.lulu.com/content/paperba...an-form/8075185 http://www.lulu.com/product/cd/what...of-2%29/6122050 http://www.lulu.com/product/cd/what...of-2%29/6126511 All of my book proceeds go to the Northcote Heavy Horse Centre www.northcotehorses.com. NAR #54895 SR |
#6
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How long and how dangerous would that plume be should the valve open? Also, we need some way to disarm and safe the rocket once heating has begun. Bill
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It is well past time to Drill, Baby, Drill! If your June, July, August and September was like this, you might just hate summer too... Please unload your question before you ask it unless you have a concealed harry permit. : countdown begin cr dup . 1- ?dup 0= until cr ." Launch!" cr ; Give a man a rocket and he will fly for a day; teach him to build and he will spend the rest of his days sanding... Last edited by Bill : 09-17-2012 at 12:38 AM. Reason: This old hoss thought of something else |
#7
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Quote:
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__________________
Black Shire--Draft horse in human form, model rocketeer, occasional mystic, and writer, see: http://www.lulu.com/content/paperba...an-form/8075185 http://www.lulu.com/product/cd/what...of-2%29/6122050 http://www.lulu.com/product/cd/what...of-2%29/6126511 All of my book proceeds go to the Northcote Heavy Horse Centre www.northcotehorses.com. NAR #54895 SR |
#8
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Are there schematics for a basic design for this sort of rocket somewhere?
What kind of expertise does one need to put together a system like this? I think a Victorian-era-style model rocket would be the perfect vehicle (pardon the pun) for this type of propulsion... someone could dive into a whole new sub-genre in model rocket design! Steampunk is huge... Hmmmm...
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-Brain SKY AYE ROCKETRY Follow Your Impulse! |
#9
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'Steam Trek'?
BTW: Just for gits and shiggles, I thought I'd show you a recent steampunk-based bit of 3D/digital artwork I did a while back... ever see the video 'Steam Trek'?
__________________
-Brain SKY AYE ROCKETRY Follow Your Impulse! |
#10
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__________________
Black Shire--Draft horse in human form, model rocketeer, occasional mystic, and writer, see: http://www.lulu.com/content/paperba...an-form/8075185 http://www.lulu.com/product/cd/what...of-2%29/6122050 http://www.lulu.com/product/cd/what...of-2%29/6126511 All of my book proceeds go to the Northcote Heavy Horse Centre www.northcotehorses.com. NAR #54895 SR |
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