The 100K BiProp

All the ideas and designs that appear on these pages began as this project. The basic idea was to design a 4-inch diameter, single-stage liquid fueled rocket that weighted about 100 pounds, would fly to an altitude of 100,000+ feet and reach a speed of at least Mach 2. The performance criteria was totally arbitrary and chosen for "coolness" and as an outline for a serious amateur project. The size and weight was chosen for convenient manufacturing and handling.

The project was in its third generation "on paper" design stage when I decided to start building some test components. The first was a "plumbing model." I'm a believer in the design-a-little, build-a-little, test-a-little development method. A design on paper might have limitations, shortcomings, and even errors that aren't evident until something is actually built.  Of course, it's best to encounter and overcome such problems as early as possible during design when the're most easily overcome.  Sometimes it leads to an innovative solution that reshapes the whole project.