Rocket Fuel

Water Bottle Rocketeer
Posts: 5

Rocket Fuel

Hi there, anyone know the position regarding building solid fuel rocket motors and making the ingredients w.r.t. the law, i.e. gunpowder, candy propellent, ammonium nitrate-based fuel etc.?
Does one need a special licence? Huh

August 28, 2008, 10:44:01 AM

#1

Ryno

Ryno

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High Power Rocketeer
Posts: 164

Re: Rocket Fuel

Yes you need a license...

That is why only ASR is allowed to make large quantities of fuel.
We never had problems in making small amounts of fuel for testing etc.

I think the license(in RSA) goes for any material that generates its' own oxygen.In other words, it can burn in an enclosed area, making a potential risk for using it as a explosive in a bomb etc...

You can google any one of those fuels and find their synthesis online. Wink

August 28, 2008, 07:23:12 PM

#2

Hen

Hen

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Model Rocketeer
Posts: 54

Re: Rocket Fuel

Hallo Adam, go to your local police station, ask for application form for a license to make propellant and watch them frown. There are also strict rules and regulations on the location were one make propellant commercially. But no one would prosecute you under normal circumstances if you just make propellant for your hobby rocket that you fire upwards in a save area, with a recovery system, without a harmful payload. But Beware! …. if someone gets hurt the full hammer of the law is going to hit you. So always play safe (If someone finds an IRA or El Caida membership card and propellant on you no one would be friendly?) . One can get a permit to be in the possession of black-powder, this is not a propellant. Black-powder is classified as an explosive. Your local gun-shop can help you if you need one.

August 29, 2008, 02:24:12 PM

#3

Adam

Adam

Water Bottle Rocketeer
Posts: 5

Re: Rocket Fuel

Thanks Hen & Ryno for the reply. So one could make one's own propellent for hobby use in rockets like SAASA Rocket clubs use (Am. Nitrate based and black powder based)?
Keen to try to build my own solid rocket motors.

Was also interested in hobby pyrotechnics, anyone know about laws on this (NOT for commercial gain, just personal hobby)? i.e. small scale home made firworks.

Thanks, have a good W/E.

August 29, 2008, 04:41:47 PM

#4

Ryno

Ryno

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High Power Rocketeer
Posts: 164

Re: Rocket Fuel

Are you a registered club member, Adam?

I think it will be okay just as long as you keep the quantities low, be safe and use it under the correct circumstances.( Cheesy

Just remember SAASA can not be held responsible for any action done by users of the forum or Any SAASA rocketry associations Grin

)

September 05, 2008, 02:35:08 PM

#5

Adam

Adam

Water Bottle Rocketeer
Posts: 5

Re: Rocket Fuel

Hi Ryno, sorry been offline for a while.

Yup, I registered, but think I need to pay a membership fee still?

Best regards
Adam Undecided

September 06, 2008, 06:35:54 AM

#6

Ryno

Ryno

Administrator
High Power Rocketeer
Posts: 164

Re: Rocket Fuel

Well the thing is, I think the law won't give you that much trouble if you are part of a group or club that are registered to work with these type of things.

Wink

From all the stories I've heard, people usually get a warning before any action is taken against them.

September 12, 2008, 06:37:31 AM

#7

Adam

Adam

Water Bottle Rocketeer
Posts: 5

Registration

Hello Ryno

Couldn't agree more. I registered online (on the site). Is there a joining fee?

Best regards
Adam

September 14, 2008, 01:14:41 PM

#8

Ryno

Ryno

Administrator
High Power Rocketeer
Posts: 164

Re: Rocket Fuel

Adam

There is no fee for this website. Wink

Before you can launch a rocket you must be part of a club like GHPR. The club choice depends on your area.

I don't know if there is a way to register online with one of these groups. Maybe later on I will create a online system for that purpose.

September 15, 2008, 12:48:46 PM

#9

Adam

Adam