Rocketry laws

[Crimson0087]

How can I find out for sure if making my own motors is actually legal in USA. I read the nfta 1122 code and that made it sound as if it was illegal to make your own. Then again that also sounded like it was talking g about high power. Is it legal to make and launch a simple 60g motor?

[Arthur]

It varies from state to state and county to county and town to town.

 

Probably it's best to find a group of your local rocketry folks who know for your location. Remember that the airspace all belongs to someone and you need to find a safe test and firing site without interfering with airliners and other sky users. Usually it's only the rocketry societies that can get airspace cleared for high altitude rocketry.

[Crimson0087]

What about federal regulations?

[Arthur]

There clearly IS a federal possibility, probably "with permissions", as lots of people do make rockets and fire them. Where is "Black Rock dry lake".

 

It's very obviously important to study from specialists of both science and law, and remember that legal advice on the American system from a Brit may or may not be worth what you paid for it.

 

Join a local specialist club and ask them all the questions,before you get into trouble. Maybe doing your rocketry to federal code and in a friendly state and county would be a good plan, maybe you do your rocketry away from home.

[dagabu]

Just to be perfectly blunt, state and local laws may prohibit you making anything at all at home. Here is what the BATFE says:

 

§555.141 Exemptions. (a) General. Except for the provisions of §§ 555.180 and 555.181, this part does not apply to: (1) Any aspect of the transportation of explosive materials via railroad, water, highway, or air which is regulated by the U.S. Department of Transportation and its agencies, and which pertains to safety. For example, regulations issued by the Department of Transportation addressing the security risk of aliens transporting explosives by commercial motor or railroad carrier from Canada preclude the enforcement of 18 U.S.C. 842(i)(5) against persons shipping, transporting, receiving, or possessing explosives incident to and in connection with the commercial transportation of explosives by truck or rail from Canada into the United States. Questions concerning this exception should be directed to ATF's Public Safety Branch [ATF’s Explosives Industry Programs Branch] in Washington, DC. (2) The use of explosive materials in medicines and medicinal agents in the forms prescribed by the official United States Pharmacopeia or the National Formulary. “The United States Pharmacopeia and The National Formulary,” USP and NF Compendia, are available from the United States Pharmacopeial Convention, Inc., 12601 Twinbrook Parkway, Rockville, Maryland 20852. (3) The transportation, shipment, receipt, or importation of explosive materials for delivery to any agency of the United States or to any State or its political subdivision. (4) Small arms ammunition and components of small arms ammunition. (5) The manufacture under the regulation of the military department of the United States of explosive materials for, or their distribution to or storage or possession by, the military or naval services or other agencies of the United States. (6) Arsenals, navy yards, depots, or other establishments owned by, or operated by or on behalf of, the United States. (7) The importation, distribution, and storage of fireworks classified as UN0336, UN0337, UN0431, or UN0432 explosives by the U.S. Department of Transportation at 49 CFR 172.101 and generally known as “consumer fireworks” or “articles pyrotechnic.” (8) Gasoline, fertilizers, propellant actuated devices, or propellant actuated industrial tools manufactured, imported, or distributed for their intended purposes. (9) Industrial and laboratory chemicals which are intended for use as reagents and which are packaged and shipped pursuant to U.S. Department of Transportation regulations, 49 CFR Parts 100 to 177, which do not require explosives hazard warning labels. (10) Model rocket motors that meet all of the following criteria— (i) Consist of ammonium perchlorate composite propellant, black powder, or other similar low explosives; (ii) Contain no more than 62.5 grams of total propellant weight; and (iii) Are designed as single-use motors or as reload kits capable of reloading no more than 62.5 grams of propellant into a reusable motor casing.

[dagabu]

*At the Federal level, sugar rocket fuel is not within the specific outline of low explosives but should be considered 'Black Powder' for the sake of remaining unaccosted by federal officials. It IS mentioned in the NFPA 1122 and almost all states have adopted the 1122 in their fire code, this means that at the state level, all the rules in the NFPA 1122 must be followed as well as local laws and ordinances. LINK (OLD) Also, this is a good read but be aware that this was written BEFORE the 2009 ruling on APCP motors. https://www.atf.gov/.../56316/download

The fact that NAR rocketry is recognized and its safety and launch site requirements are codified in Codes 1122 (Model Rockets) and 1127 (High Power Rockets) by the National Fire Protection Association, will be a very powerful part of your discussion with any fire marshal.

NFPA 1122

Code for

Model Rocketry

2002 Edition

3.3.6* Model Rocket. A rocket that (1) weighs no more than 1500 g (53 oz)with motors

installed; and (2) is propelled by one or more model rocket motors having an installed total

impulse of no more than 320 N­sec (71.9 lb­sec); and (3) contains no more than a total of

125 g (4.4 oz) of propellant weight.

3.3.8* Model Rocket Motor. A rocket motor that has a total impulse of no greater than 160

N­sec (36 lb­sec), an average thrust of no greater than 80 N (18 lbf), and a propellant weight

of no greater than 62.5 g (2.2 oz), and that otherwise meets the other requirements set forth

in NFPA 1125, Code for the Manufacture of Model Rocket and High Power Rocket

Motors.

4.2.3 A model rocket motor shall be assembled with all pyrotechnic ingredients preloaded

into a cylindrical paper or similarly constructed nonmetallic tube that does not fragment into

sharp, hard pieces.

The exemption below only relates to the Federal Government, your state may have rigorous rules such as my home state: The laws in Minnesota prohibit any manufacturing of any pyrotechnic device without a license:

Class 1 – Model Rocket

Which is an amateur rocket that:

Uses no more than 125 grams (4.4 ounces) of propellant;

Uses a slow-burning propellant;

Is made of paper, wood, or breakable plastic;

Contains no substantial metal parts; and

Weighs no more than 1,500 grams (53 ounces), including the propellant.

The Orange Book (BATFE) Federal Explosives Law and Regulations, Subpart H—§ 555.141 Exemptions

(10) Model rocket motors that meet all of the following criteria—

(i) Consist of ammonium perchlorate composite propellant, black powder, or other similar low explosives;

(ii) Contain no more than 62.5 grams of total propellant weight; and

(iii) Are designed as single-use motors or as reload kits capable of reloading no more than 62.5 grams of propellant into a reusable motor casing.

*all the above was taken from the internet, I am not offering advice nor do I know or understand the laws or codes in your area nor should you proceed with making devices that may/will harm you.

[dagabu]

The short answer is, no.

 

The further I get into reading the laws and codes, the more depressed I get as to what we are allowed to do. Specifically, 1122 chapter 5 states;

 

5.1 Prohibited Activities. The following activities shall be prohibited by this code: (1) Using model rocket motors, motor reloading kits, or components for the primary purpose of producing a spectacular display of color, light, sound, or any combination thereof.

 

How can I find out for sure if making my own motors is actually legal in USA. I read the nfta 1122 code and that made it sound as if it was illegal to make your own. Then again that also sounded like it was talking g about high power. Is it legal to make and launch a simple 60g motor?

[WSM]

If you can associate with an amateur rocketry club in your area, your bases will be covered (if they work within all the laws). See rrs.org for an example of what I'm talking about.

 

WSM

[shockie]

In general NFPA 1122 is the applicable law in at least 48 states. Kalifornia has their own and Indiana seems to have opted out of NFPA 1122. NFPA 1, aka the Unoform Fire Code , incorporates NFPA 1122/1125 & 1127 by reference so if your state has adopted NFPA 1, it's likely 1122/1125/1127 also apply.

With that said.....NFPA 1122 ONLY applies to those individuals( and corporations) that are making commercial model rocket motors for sale to the public. If you are making your own model rocket engines for your own personal use, NFPA 1122 does not apply. See 1.1.1 of NFPA 1122.

 

If the primary purpose of a model rocket is producing a spectacular display of color, light, sound, or any combination thereof, then it's NOT a model rocket, It's a pyrotechnic device which is regulated under.

NFPA 1124.

Per FEDGOV regulations: as long as your model rocket meets the definitions of both state and FED law, ie <=62.5g of BP or APCP, then they are mostly exempt.

Launching is another question. IF you are near an airport you can't launch model rockets without getting permission 1st from the FAA. The reason is obvious.

[Arthur]

There are two UK rocketry clubs who launch monthly in non covid times. They both have insurance for launches and both have a small parcel of airspace officially reserved for their use for a small part of the daylight time.

 

For the USA please check with your local rocketry club or possibly with https://www.apogeerockets.com/ -the only rocket sales website I know there may be others.

Edited December 1, 2020 by Arthur