Letter
Dear Homer H. Hickam Jr., November 28th, 2012
I want to get started making my own rockets, and I had a few questions. First propellant, when you mixed in glue to your powder propellants what glue did you use? Also during the curing process how long did you let it cure for? Did you put pieces individually in and let that piece cure for a day? Or did you fill the entire rocket with the propellant/fuel and then let it sit? What proportions did you mix the zinc dust and sulfur in? What is the safest way to test the propellants?
Onto casing, when you made your casing what metal did you use and why? What corrosive issues did you have with aluminum and what did you do to fix it? Also what book did you use to design your nosecones? And where can I get a copy of it? What ratios did you find between the length of the rocket to the size of the nose cone? Or is there any ratio between the two?
As you can probably tell I want to start my own rocket club. So, I am trying to find/figure out all I can about rockets and how they work and are made. Your group/team inspired me to make my own group. From reading your book I can’t believe you were able to start from a bottle bomb, to sending rockets over 10,00 feet in the air. What are some keys for when I make my club? Also where can I get ingredients to make the propellants?
Now from reading your book your town sounds like an interesting close knit community. I like the fact that the town is connected. I know in Nampa, Idaho we are not all connected. Everybody lives their own lives. Also high school there sound relaxed, well till the Russians came into play. My school now doesn’t give that much homework. How were you able to get everything done and still have time for sleep? Now your dad is a very honest working man. Even though it didn’t seem like it he did care for you, it just wasn’t in the way you expected. He always supported in giving you your rocket supplies, no matter what the cost was. He was rough but he always looked after you.
Your older brother seemed to be a jerk. He didn’t seem to care or look out for you. My brother on the other hand cares, but I seem to have to either show him up, or prove him wrong. We are both needless to say competitive. He has helped push me throughout my life, and I am grateful for that push.
Your mom like all moms pushed you to become your best. It is amazing to see what a mom on a mission can do. I think they are the causes to true success on earth . What would you have done without her in your life?
Finally what tips can you give an amateur like me to help me succeed in my goal. My goal is to be able to put my own rocket into space as a civilian.
Sincerely,
Sterling Jones
I want to get started making my own rockets, and I had a few questions. First propellant, when you mixed in glue to your powder propellants what glue did you use? Also during the curing process how long did you let it cure for? Did you put pieces individually in and let that piece cure for a day? Or did you fill the entire rocket with the propellant/fuel and then let it sit? What proportions did you mix the zinc dust and sulfur in? What is the safest way to test the propellants?
Onto casing, when you made your casing what metal did you use and why? What corrosive issues did you have with aluminum and what did you do to fix it? Also what book did you use to design your nosecones? And where can I get a copy of it? What ratios did you find between the length of the rocket to the size of the nose cone? Or is there any ratio between the two?
As you can probably tell I want to start my own rocket club. So, I am trying to find/figure out all I can about rockets and how they work and are made. Your group/team inspired me to make my own group. From reading your book I can’t believe you were able to start from a bottle bomb, to sending rockets over 10,00 feet in the air. What are some keys for when I make my club? Also where can I get ingredients to make the propellants?
Now from reading your book your town sounds like an interesting close knit community. I like the fact that the town is connected. I know in Nampa, Idaho we are not all connected. Everybody lives their own lives. Also high school there sound relaxed, well till the Russians came into play. My school now doesn’t give that much homework. How were you able to get everything done and still have time for sleep? Now your dad is a very honest working man. Even though it didn’t seem like it he did care for you, it just wasn’t in the way you expected. He always supported in giving you your rocket supplies, no matter what the cost was. He was rough but he always looked after you.
Your older brother seemed to be a jerk. He didn’t seem to care or look out for you. My brother on the other hand cares, but I seem to have to either show him up, or prove him wrong. We are both needless to say competitive. He has helped push me throughout my life, and I am grateful for that push.
Your mom like all moms pushed you to become your best. It is amazing to see what a mom on a mission can do. I think they are the causes to true success on earth . What would you have done without her in your life?
Finally what tips can you give an amateur like me to help me succeed in my goal. My goal is to be able to put my own rocket into space as a civilian.
Sincerely,
Sterling Jones