How Much Potassium Nitrate is Needed to Propel a 10 kg Rocket into Orbit?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the theoretical requirements for using potassium nitrate to propel a 10 kg rocket into orbit. Participants explore the feasibility of this approach within the context of amateur rocketry and safety concerns related to the use of potassium nitrate.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Debate/contested, Technical explanation, Safety concerns

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about the amount of potassium nitrate needed to launch a 10 kg rocket into orbit, indicating a project involving a group of friends.
  • Another participant points out that potassium nitrate is an oxidizer and questions whether the original poster meant to refer to gunpowder, suggesting that achieving orbit is highly unlikely for amateurs.
  • A third participant warns about the dangers of potassium nitrate, noting its potential for spontaneous combustion and its common use in DIY explosives.
  • A final post indicates that the thread is closed, implying a cessation of further discussion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the feasibility of using potassium nitrate for rocketry, with some emphasizing the impracticality and dangers involved, while others focus on the theoretical aspect of the inquiry. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the specific requirements for propulsion.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the lack of detailed calculations or assumptions regarding the rocket's design, fuel efficiency, and the specific role of potassium nitrate in the propulsion system. Safety concerns regarding the use of potassium nitrate are also noted but not fully explored.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in amateur rocketry, propulsion systems, or the chemical properties of oxidizers may find this discussion relevant.

Guywithstick
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Theoretically how much potassium nitrate would you need to get a 10 kg rocket out of the atmosphere and orbit as at the moment me and a group of highly intelligent freinds are working on a rocket to get out of orbit to prove a point to the man ect ect... and we need help
 
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Potassium nitrate is an oxidizer. Do you mean gunpowder? In any case, if it is even possible at all (its never been done by amateurs), it is certainly not possible by someone asking such a question. Google amateur rocketry. You'll see it is a serius and expensive pursuit undertaken by people who are "amateurs" only in the sense that they aren't getting paid.
 
Please be careful: Potassium nitrate is a favoured ingredient for DIY explosives, and can be lethally unpredictable due to spontaneous combustion...
 
Good advice from Russ and Nik. Thread closed.
 

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