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ROCKET ENGINE POWDER
One of the most exciting hobbies nowadays is model rocketry. Estes is
the largest
producer of model rocket kits and engines. Rocket engines are
composed of a single large grain of propellant. This grain
is surrounded by
a fairly heavy cardboard tubing. One gets the propellant by slitting the tube
lengthwise, and unwrapping
it like a paper towel roll. When this is done, the
grey fire clay at either end of the propellant grain must be removed.
This is
usually done gently with a plastic or brass knife. The material is exceptionally
hard, and must be crushed to
be used. By gripping the grain on the widest
setting on a set of pliers, and putting the grain and powder in a plastic
bag,
the powder will not break apart and shatter all over. This should be done to
all the large chunks of powder, and
then it should be crushed like black powder.
Rocket engines come in various sizes, ranging from 1/4 A - 2T to the incredibly
powerful
D engines. The larger the engine, the more expensive. D engines come
in packages of three, and cost about $5.00 per package.
Rocket engines are
perhaps the single most useful item sold in stores to a terrorist, since they
can be used as is,
or can be cannibalized for their explosive powder.
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