Makoto Yamada
President, Japan Association of Rocketry (JAR)
1-5-23, Kamifukuoka, Kamifukuoka City, Saitama Prefecture, 350-11 Japan
Abstract
The first model rocket was developed in the United States of America in 1957 as an educational aid for teaching science. Since then, model rocket engines which use black powder prepared for safe use by young people have been produced according to the Model Rocket Engine Standards of the Federation d' Aeronautics Internationale (FAI). In the last 30 years, there have been over 300 million accident-free launches worldwide.
In Japan, the Explosives Control Law used to prohibit from the general public importing and launching model rockets, due partially to concerns of use by terrorists.
However, I wanted Japanese youngsters to have the same dreams of space as other youngsters throughout the world. I therefore submitted papers proving the safety of model rockets to the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) with cooperation of the National Association of Rocketry (NAR) in the US.
In February 1990, MITI provisionally authorized use of model rocket engines with 5 grams propellant as standard, allowing the Japanese youngsters to openly enjoy model rockets.
Paralleling with these activities, in February 1990, the Japan Association of Rocketry (JAR) was established as the governing organization of model rockets.
Since then, the Crown Prince, Minister for the Ministry of Education, State Minister for the Science and Technology Agency, Prefectural Governors, and other distinguished figures have all launched model rockets with help of my explanation. They all gave me words of understanding and encouragement.
In October 1995, after 4 years and 90,000 safe launches, model rocket engines with 20 grams propellant or less were officially listed as Toy Propellant in the Explosives Control Law. Nowadays, model rockets have begun to be used in innovative science curriculums in Japanese schools.
Through the understanding and support of many people, my dream has come true. Let me extend my sincere gratitude to all.
History of Model Rocketry
Origin of Model Rocketry
In 1947, British corporations ICI and WM. obtained the patent of a model rocket as an auxiliary propulsion system for a model airplane. In the following year, a demonstration flight was performed in London. This type of engine was patented in Japan in 1952 as a solid filler for gas generation. This engine was capable of producing approximately 50 grams propulsion for about 20 seconds with 30 grams empty-weight. It was mainly used for a jet propellant system for model airplanes and model cars. Similar engines were sold in Japan until the 1960s in model shops under the brand name of Tiger Rockety. This engine, however, was not light enough for rocket experiments and did not have enough propulsion for rocket flight experiments.
Tightened Restrictions in Japan
Stimulated by success of a pencil rocket launch by the Institute of Industrial Science of Tokyo University (the forerunner of the Institute of Space and Astronomical Science (ISAS)) and International Geophysical Year (IGY) of 1957, as well as successes of spacecraft Sputnik and Explorer, science club members of Japanese high schools and universities and amateur rocket researchers in Japan, in the midst of the US-USSR space development rivalry in 1960s, tried to produce high-performance rocket propellant systems using black powder and fast reaction chemicals. Many of their efforts failed, resulting in numerous mishaps, fires, and injuries.
In addition, with the influence of guerrilla warfare carried on by extremists, rocket experiments gradually diminished as the Explosives Control Law was increasingly tightened in 1953, 1960, and 1966.
Improved Safety Measures in US
In the US, the Reaction Research Association was established in 1943. More than 3000 model rockets were launched carrying experiment animals or transmitters. Schools also aggressively engaged in rocket experiments with self-produced propellants, causing fatal accidents of teachers and students. Professionals in rocket launching recognized the need to ensure safety of rocket experiments by young people and began conducting researches in this area.
G. H. Stine, a US Army flight safety engineer and Chief of Launch Operations Division of the Army Missile Launch Site (at White Sands, New Mexico), published an article on safety regulations for model rockets in "Mechanics Illustrated" magazine in 1957. O. H. Carlisie, shoemaker in Norfolk, Nebraska, read the article and presented the toy rocket that he devised (applied for patent in 1954), which lead to the original form of model rockets.
In, 1958, a US corporation MM introduced the first model rocket, Aerobe-High, which consists of a paper body, parachute, launch lug, wooden tail wing, and a cartridge-type propulsion system. In the same year, the National Association of Rocketry (NAR) of the USA was established as the governing organization of model rockets. G. H. Stine assumed the first presidency. In 1959, the First US Model Rocket Contest (NARM-1) was held in Denver, Colorado.
G. H. Stine also presided as chairman of the pyrotechnics committee of the US Hazard Prevention Association from 1969 to 1976 and specified the regulations on unmanned rockets. Currently, NAR is a world leader in model rocketry, being authorized by the US Air Force and NASA as the governing body of model rockets.
Worldwide Activities of Model Rocketry
Model rocket activities have spread worldwide. Safety of rocket experiments performed by young people has been studied since the 20th International Astronautical Federation (IAF) Congress in 1969~ In 1973, the Model Rocket Engine Standards was established.
In 1992, the IAF and Center National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES) of France held the Word Student Rocket Launch Campaign (international experiments of student-developed rockets loaded with payloads) to commemorate the International Space Year (ISY). Students gathered in France from ail over the world and participated with rockets carrying payloads suiting the purposes of the convention. The rockets were launched to a height of a few thousand meters, and telemetry data were received.
The Federation d'Aeronatuics Internationale (FAI) has been hosting the International Space Modeling Contest, a worldwide competition for model rockets, every 2 years since the Yugoslavian Contest in 1972. Nineteen countries participated in the 9th Contest held in Florida, including Japan which participated for the first time.
Early Days of Japanese Model Rocketry
Due to the strict control imposed by the Explosives Control Law in the 1960s, model rocketry was not introduced to Japan until the end of the 1970s and early 1980S. At that time, science clubs in high schools and universities began experimenting with model rockets by importing a small number of model rocket engines produced according to the international standards on a personal basis or by developing composite propulsion systems on their own using perchlorate as oxidizer. The 1980 IAF congress held in Tokyo reported as follows, "Japanese space development activities after World War 11 started with the development of a pencil rocket by the Institute of Industrial Science of Tokyo University. Students of Tokai University, Waseda University, Kawasaki High School in Kanagawa Prefecture, and Chusei High School in Tokyo are also conducting model rocket experiments. Preliminary experiments are conducted in Chiba Prefecture for commercially importing and popularizing model rockets. However, due to concerns on security in society and possible influence of the current social situations including student riots, import permit have not been issued under the Explosive Control Law for toy pyrotechnics (the propulsion system of a model rocket or the model rocket engine) even for the smallest type."
In Japan, the first model rocket was launched at the Space Jamboree of the Young Astronaut Club (YAC) held at Kujyukuri Beach in Chiba Prefecture in December 1986. In 1989, the Juvenile Center of Koshigaya City in Saitama Prefecture openly conducted model rocket launch experiments. Nonetheless, it was still an impossible dream for an ordinary Japanese youngster to assemble and launch model rockets.
Current Status
Start 30 Years in Behind
It was not until fall of 1990 that Japanese youngsters could purchase model rockets, and assemble and launch them by themselves. The author and Kazuo Saito, explosives specialist (President of Explosives Security Association of Saitama Prefecture) had vigorously promoted space science education for youngsters that was largely behind international standards. With cooperation from NAR, re-interpretation of the large-scale model rocket engine (5 gram or more propellant) in the Explosives Control Law was, although only provisionally, authorized by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) in February 1992. This officially allowed importing and launching model rockets in Japan, though conditions such as application requirements must still be met. Concurrently, in February 1992, JAR was established as the governing organization of model rockets. The directors of JAR included rocket experts such as the aforementioned two, Ryojiro Akiba (then Professor of ISAS), and Akira Kubozono (then Executive Director of NASDA). JAR initiated a training course to certify model rocket launch qualification as a voluntary safety assurance activity to teach youngsters the basics of launch safety.
Later, with our passion and the understanding of many people, MITI issued a revision in October 1995 so that Japanese youngsters could launch large-scale model rockets as teaching aids. The revision allowed using model rocket engines with propellants of 20 grams or less without governmental permission after completion of a launch safety training course.
At the 11th Space Modeling World Contest held in September 1996 in Slovania with participation of 22 countries, Takashi Suzuki of Japan won the championship in the parachute flight duration contest.
The current launch status is shown below. Model rocketry is expected to expand significantly in the future.
1992 9,000 launches 1995 14,000 launches
1993 10,000 1996 16,000
1994 12,000 1997 17,000 (planned)
Model Rocketry as Rocket Education
Since being adopted as teaching aids, 300 million model rockets have been launched over the last 30 years, without a single serious accident involving human injury. This is due to the use of a cartridge-type engine developed and manufactured according to military standards, which makes explosives significantly more safe if handled correctly. This type of engine also uses electrical ignition which further improves safety.
In Japan, many model rocketry classes for young people are held by education boards and science museums nationwide, fostering dreams of the future in space.
The Crown Prince, Minister for the Ministry of Education, State Minister for the Ministry of Science and Technology Agency, President of NASDA, NASDA Astronaut Mamoru Mohri, Prefectural Governors, and many others have watched or experienced launches. They all understood the educational value of model rockets and gave us words of encouragement.
Broad Range of Education with Model Rockets
Model rockets can be custom designed considering aerodynamics by usingpersonal computers for inputting data items such as the center of gravity, center ofaerodynamic pressure, total impulse of propellant used, gross weight according toweight measurements of rocket parts, and aerodynamic drag coefficient (CD).
In addition, computer simulation can be performed to estimate the ascent altitude and speed based on propellant combustion time and launch elevation angle; the landing point can be estimated based on wind velocity, parachute diameter and weight and descending speed. Model rocketry provides comprehensive education covering various fields including not only mathematics, physics, chemistry, and meteorology, but also art through design of a rocket configuration.
Conclusion
The fundamental purposes of model rocketry are to give the general public adream of space and to promote and enlighten the general public in science andtechnology through use of a model rocket as an educational aid. These purposesare being attained by countries around the world.
Japan has been striving to reach the same standards as other countries. Efforts are being made to establish an institute within the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Education. The institute shall be the center of activities to promote model rocketry as continuing education and maintain the dream of space among young people.
When this is materialized, model rocketry education in Japan will reach American and European standards.
The H-II rocket and H-II A rocket developed or being developed autonomously by NASDA, and the M-V rocket being developed autonomously by ISAS, have attained the level of world standards. We are endeavoring to ensure that Japanese model rocketry will reach the same standards as actual rockets. We solicit further understanding and cooperation of all parties.
Related figures and tables are attached in the following pages.