How to Open a Model Rocket Engine

Model rocket engines can be purchased at most hobby stores, along with rocket kits.

Model rocket engines are composed of a solid fuel core wrapped in a heavy paper casing. A ceramic nozzle is placed at one end to form an ejection port while the other end contains a clay retainer plug. Unwrapping the paper casing will expose the solid fuel core, ceramic nozzle and clay retaining plug. The solid fuel core will remain intact when the engine is opened and have a hard, ceramic consistency.

Things You'll Need

• Single-edge razor blade

Instructions

1. Place the model rocket engine on a flat surface and use a single-edge razor blade to cut along the length of the motor. You do not need to cut deeply, just enough to free a couple of layers of paper casing.

2. Begin peeling off the heavy paper casing by grasping the edge of the rolled paper casing and stripping it off, as if you were pulling paper towels off of a roll. If needed, make additional cuts along the length of the engine to free layers of paper as you peel.

3. Remove the last few layers of paper casing gently. The fuel core is hard and will remain in a compact form but the paper casing may stick to it. When the fuel core has been exposed (all paper core removed), gently pull the fuel core away from the ceramic nozzle and pull the clay retaining plug off of the opposite end so that all three internal engine components are separated.

Tips & Warnings

• Wear eye protection when disassembling model rocket engines.

• Disassemble engines away from open flames.

References

• "Estes Rocket Lab: Model Rocket Engines"; Estes-Cox Corp.; 2008
• "Handbook of Model Rocketry, Seventh Edition"; G. Harry Stine and Bill Stine; 2004
• "Model Rocket Design and Construction: How to Create and Build Unique and Exciting Model Rockets that Work"; Timothy S. VanMilligan; 1995