arla-saf.htm Tri-Mode ARLA

Amateur Rocket Launch Assist (ARLA)

Safety and Legality Warnings


Safety and Legality Issues

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This paper describes some activities and equipment that are both dangerous and federally regulated, though probably no more so than current high powered amateur rocketry. But the simplicity and availability of materials may lull some people into complacency and carelessness. If you can't convince yourself to follow all possible safety measures and stay within the laws and regulations then don't even start.

One of the materials described for storing gasses is polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe which can can be obtained at any hardware store. The manufacturers and professional societies all recommend strongly against using it for gasses because of the potential for shattering and sending schrapnel through people. Still, some people use it because of it's low cost and ease of use. The safety workaround is to stay a safe distance away anytime the PVC is pressurized and use remote controls. This may be as far as 100 yards. Another is to bury some parts, such as the storage tank, or shroud them in other materials. See www.galstar.com/~dthames/spudguns.htm for a graphic example of what happens to PVC.

This paper talks about accelerating projectiles (rockets) to speeds of 2,000 fps within a tube and Mach 5 through the air. These are in the class of tank busting cannons. Not only are the energy levels in the extremely dangerous region they would probably be classed as cannons by the BATF, FBI, and DoD.

Another hazard to the builder is the reaction load of the launch tube. This paper talks about thousands of pounds of pressure on the launch vehicles. For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. In other words, the launch tube will "kick" or "recoil" with the same thousands of pounds. If it is not tied to something that can withstand the load then it will move. If someone is unlucky enough to be behind it then they will be injured or killed.

The altitudes that the projectiles will reach are anywhere from impressive to incredible (which is why I've written this paper). The lowest performance example system shoots a projectile at 400 fps, enough for it to reach about 2,000 ft. This is where airplanes fly. The FAA is going to take this very seriously. At the high end the rockets could achieve 200 miles. This is where the Space Shuttle and some satellites fly. This makes it an international issue and will get the State Department involved.

The bottom line is "GET SERIOUS."

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This Page Last Updated 2 Dec 98