gokturk3-model-rocket

Göktürk-3 Model Rocket – Handmade Prototype, Experimental Space Project

This post is also available in: Türkçe (Turkish)



GÖK-TÜRK 3 ROCKET

General view of the Göktürk-3 model rocket
Gök-Türk 3 Model Rocke
  • The 3rd model in the Gök-Türk series.

Gök-Türk 3 on the table
Gök-Türk 3 Model Rocke
Gök-Türk 3 Model Rocket (Unpainted)
Gök-Türk 3 Model Rocket (Unpainted)

  • Designed to be extremely lightweight.
Göktürk-3 positioned on the launch pad, ready for launch
Gök-Türk 3 Model Rocket on the Launch Pad
  • According to my calculations, it reached a speed exceeding the speed of sound (detailed calculations will be explained later).
Gök-Türk 3 Model Rocket on the Launch Pad
Gök-Türk 3 Model Rocket on the Launch Pad
  • The Göktürk-3 rocket is shown mounted on the launch pad.

Technical Details

  • Unless otherwise stated in the technical drawings, all measurements are in millimeters.
  • Total Weight: 33 g

Component Diagram

Göktürk-3 model rocket part diagram
Göktürk-3 Rocket Component Diagram
  • The diagram above shows the schematic representation of the components of the Göktürk-3 rocket.
    1. Nose Cone – Fixed in place as no recovery system was included.
    2. Body Tube – The main structural component of the rocket.
    3. Fins – Provide aerodynamic stability for straight flight
    4. Launch Lug – Allows the rocket to be guided along a 3 mm launch rod during ignition for a straight ascent.
    5. Rocket Motor – The rocket’s power source; generates thrust via a chemical reaction.

1 – Nose Cone

Paper-made conical nose design
Göktürk-3 Rocket Nose Cone
  • A conical type nose cone was used. Although there are more efficient designs, this is the only practical type that can be crafted by hand using paper
  • Weight: Unknown
  • Material: White drawing paper
  • Adhesive: Water-based wood glue
  • Total Length: 60 mm
  • Outer Diameter: 22 mm

2 – Body Tube

gok-turk-3-roketi-govde
Göktürk-3 Rocket Body Tube
  • Weight: Unknown
  • Material: Poster board (thick cardstock)
  • Adhesive: Water-based wood glue
  • Total Length: 170 mm
  • Outer Diameter: 22 mm
  • Inner Diameter: 19 mm

3 – Fins

Clipped delta type rocket fins
Göktürk-3 Rocket Fins
  • The fin type used for the Göktürk-3 Rocket is the “Clipped Delta” type.
  • There are a total of 4 fins.
  • Weight: 2 g (total for all 4 fins)
  • Material: 3 mm cardboard sheet
  • Adhesive Used to Attach Fins to the Body: Super Glue
  • Fin Thickness: 3 mm
  • Trailing Edge: 40 mm
  • Outer Edge: 20 mm

4 – Launch Lug

gok-turk-3-roketi-rampa-kulpu
Göktürk-3 Rocket Launch Lug
  • Manufactured by rolling kraft paper
  • Number of Lugs: 1
  • Weight: 1 g

5 – Rocket Motor

gok-turk-3-roketi-roket-motoru
Göktürk-3 Rocket Motor
  • A Type-C rocket motor was used. Its thrust is approximately 7–8 newtons.
  • Burn Type: Internal combustion
  • Exhaust: Non-toxic – Carbon dioxide + water vapor
  • Material: Kraft paper
  • Weight: 20 g
  • Adhesive: Diluted (50/50) white wood glue
  • Method: Hand-wrapped straight around a rod
  • Total Height: 70 mm
  • Outer Diameter: 20 mm
  • Inner Diameter: 16 mm

5A – Nozzle (Exhaust Nozzle)

  • Material: A mixture of bentonite clay and kaolin clay with paraffin additive. Ratio: (80/20) + 10%.
  • Preparation Method: Clays were heated and paraffin was melted into the mixture.
  • Insertion Method: Pressed into the motor using a hydraulic press. The applied force is unknown.
  • Nozzle Inner Diameter: 3 mm
  • Total Height: 16 mm
  • Total Weight: Unknown

5B – Rocket Propellant

  • Material: A mixture of potassium nitrate and sucrose. Ratio: (65/35)
  • Preparation Method: Dissolved in water and melted, then hot-pressed into the motor.
  • Total Length: 37 mm
  • Total Weight: 10 g
  • Outer Diameter: 16 mm
  • Ignition Temperature: 200 °C – open flame
  • Hygroscopic Property: Present – highly moisture-absorbing; deteriorates quickly when exposed to ambient humidity.
5B1 – Combustion Chamber
  • The combustion chamber was drilled into the nozzle using a 3 mm drill bit. Since the fuel is not sensitive, such operations are suitable.
  • Chamber Height: 16 mm

5C – Delay Element

  • No delay element was used.

5D – Engine Cap

  • The cap ensures high pressure is maintained while the fuel burns. Since it is not exposed to pressure near the nozzle, it was made thinner.
  • Material: A mixture of bentonite clay and kaolin clay with paraffin additive. Ratio: (80/20) + 10%.
  • Preparation Method: Clays were heated and paraffin was melted into the mixture.
  • Insertion Method: Pressed into the motor using a hydraulic press. The applied force is unknown.
  • Total Height: 10 mm
  • Total Weight: Unknown

5E – Ejection Charge

  • No ejection charge was used.

5F – End Cap

  • No end cap was used.

Center of Pressure and Center of Gravity

gok-turk-3-roketi-denge-basinc-merkezi
Göktürk-3 Rocket – Center of Pressure and Center of Gravity
  • Proper alignment of the center of pressure and center of gravity ensures the rocket flies straight. Without this balance, stable flight is impossible.
  • Center of Pressure: 187.4 mm
  • Center of Gravity: 75 mm

CONCLUSION

  • The rocket was successfully launched.
  • Due to its extremely light weight and the high speed of the internal combustion motor, it likely exceeded the speed of sound at liftoff, causing a sonic boom.
  • The video recording is of very poor quality, so not much can be clearly seen.
  • The rocket could not be recovered because it had no recovery system.

Göktürk-3 Rocket Launch Video


Focus Keyword: handmade model rocket

Meta Description: Göktürk-3 handmade model rocket project. An experimental design inspired by defense technologies. Detailed video and explanation available here.

Tags: model rocket, handmade rocket, amateur space project, Göktürk project, rocket engineering, prototype design, experimental project, space technology, defense technology

Visit the Wikipedia page for a definition of model rockets

NASA STEM resource for those interested in real rocket physics

This post is also available in: Türkçe (Turkish)

About ERCAN KOÇLAR

Çalışmalarım çocukken başladı kolonyalı kağıtları yakmak, ilaçları birbirine katmak gibi değişik deneylerim vardı. Kimya kitabında elektroliz ile suyun hidrojen ve oksijene ayrıldığı ve hidrojenin yandığını yazıyordu, o zamanlarda aklım almıyordu sudan nasıl yanan....Devamını okumak için tıklayınız ;)