Welcome to Micro Nitro Rocketry, maker of small cartridge-based hybrid rocket motors. These motors have evolved from a design by Rene Caldera created in the mid-1990s. I am “hand” machining these motors in very small batches (typically 4 motors per run to minimize tooling change-out time and material waste). In addition I am offering some related products:
Publications. Precision machined motors. Replacement parts and consumables like O-rings and burst disks. Support equipment. Specialized rocket kits.
Micro-hybrid and mini-hybrid rocket motors use whipped cream dispenser chargers and almost any combustible material (like rolled shopping bag paper or PVC plumbing pipe) for propellants. These small experimental motors are easy to operate and inexpensive to fly using rocket kits from us, modified Estes and Quest kits, and scratch-builds of your own design. They are direct descendants of the "Micro Hybrid" rocket motor designed by Rene Caldera and sold in kit form two decades ago (see the Video Extras page).
Why bother to fly these small hybrids? 1. Low cost flights, only about $2 or $3 per burn 2. Micros reach 500-1000' Minis reach 1000-2000' 3. Safe propellants and easy cleanup 4. Lots of room for experimentation 5. No special ground support equipment needed 6. Arguably the most elegant elegant hobby rocket motor of its size ever designed!
A Mayfly II airframe flying on a Dexter Labs long case Micro-hybrid motor, a Quick Whip 9 gram cartridge, 0.028" injector, burning 3D printed ABS fuel. Photograph by Matt Rolley, Alexandra Hills, Australia