Kerbal Model Rockets

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This week on Project Air I've 3D printed KSP rockets to see if they fly! As the Kerbal Space Program 2 release is just round the corner, I thought it would be a good time to make some DIY model rockets and show you how you can too with a bit of gameplay, designing, 3D printing and a couple of test flights to see just how Kerbal these things really are.
Original files: www.thingiverse.com/thing:327...
My modded files coming soon on my Patreon (in the free section, you don't need to sign up unless you want to support me!) / jameswhomsley
▶ Subscribe: / projectairavi. .
▶ Patreon: / jameswhomsley
▶ Instagram: / jameswhomsley
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🎵 CREDITS!
Music by Andrew Applepie
www.andrewapplepie.com
/ andrewapplepie
andrewapplepie.bandcamp.com/
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📌ABOUT
Project Air is all about building DIY aerospace engineering creations, learning about the science behind them and testing to the limit. Make sure to check out the rest of the channel to watch projects on RC planes, drones, rc boats, hydrofoils, hydroplanes, seaplanes, rockets and more. Project Air was started in 2017 by James Whomsley 😎
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[@Project-Air]

Thanks to NordVPN for making this video possible! Get 70% off a 3-year plan with NordVPN and an additional month FREE at nordvpn.org/projectair or use the coupon code: “projectair”.

[@hashy4940]

Nice vid X) If you want you can check out simplerockets 2: www.simplerockets.com I don't know why it's not secure because when I log in into my account it says that It's safe. My account: www.simplerockets.com/u/Doublehsh

[@aaronmuldowney2064]

Another game to make rockets / planes is simple planes you can down load the 3D print file of your rocket on it

[@noahpedro7239]

No i win kick a rocket 11:37

[@GenBumbleBee]

remember they got hacked and didnt tell anyone for MONTHS. do not give them your money

[@kibkatara1204]

I think if you put more those knobs for the launch tower on the side of your rocket to the other side, it should go straight up instead of turning and flipping as could be seen.

[@emiledubois9949]

10MPH wind SpaceX: no, we don't risk this! ProjectAir: hold my beer!

[@Project-Air]

When you've gotta launch, you've gotta launch!

[@emiledubois9949]

@@Project-Air I know the feeling when you know the conditions are not great (= terrible) but you want to test the new stuff so desperately. But really nice video's & projects!

[@Critex_]

Emile Dubois you do know that demo-2 launched in 10-15mph winds

[@Frisher1]

Man thanks for remembering me the stupidity of the comment section of the video, so much flat earthers..

[@zelynxgod4270]

@@Project-Air could you make your own website were we can buy model rockets

[@ladvertisement3587]

3:09 "...As in 3D Printing them on the 3D Printer" Oh, Thank god he didn't 3D Print them on a 2D Printer

[@gallopinggoose6891]

Challenge accepted.

[@ironicman6731]

@@gallopinggoose6891 but is it completed?

[@gallopinggoose6891]

@@ironicman6731 Still in progress, got distracted. Will give you an update later.

[@Jamesardo136]

gallopinggoose6 you done yet?

[@gallopinggoose6891]

@@Jamesardo136 Cutting out and glueing together the hundreds of paper disks is taking some time.

[@bigredbarnstorming7840]

How cool! I haven't launched a rocket since I was my son's age. I guess that means I should make one with him!

[@janpenner2002]

Do it!!! If I was your son, I'd be so excited for that!!!

[@HRM.H]

Never too late to start a old hobby again. I recently got into rc chassis building again.

[@bigredbarnstorming7840]

@@janpenner2002 I'm sure he would. We do tons of RC stuff together, even went to Flite Fest last summer.

[@janpenner2002]

@@bigredbarnstorming7840 Oh that's awesome! I'm quite into RC as well! (especially flying FPV and planes). But I recently discovered model rockets for me as well. But since The regulations here in Germany are quite strict, I just started building a 6ft giant water rocket since you can do pretty much everything you want with those ones. Wishing you and your Son a lot of fun building and flying!!!

[@bigredbarnstorming7840]

@@janpenner2002 I'm in California and our laws about rockets are pretty strict too because our state has a habit of bursting into flames. I think I'd have to drive out into the desert to launch rockets.

[@ibimssss]

ProjectAir: Launches V1 & V2 Londoners: panik

[@Project-Air]

😂

[@MrGerhardGrobler]

The A4, renamed the V2 was actually the 1st rocket to go into space. It flew up to 124km above sea level before turning back to earth. In every country except America space begins at 100 km's above sea level, In America it is 80km above sea level.

[@rx7241]

@@MrGerhardGrobler No its 100km everywhere i think

[@MrGerhardGrobler]

@@rx7241 It was 100km in America, then the pilots of the super high altitude planes complained that they where on the edge of space and so was basically astronauts themselves. So they lower the official start point of space to give these pilots Astronaut badges....

[@MatthewT394]

@@MrGerhardGrobler shut up metric system

[@sajanavithanapathirana6761]

"This video was made possible by NordVPN" "Oh dear" LMAO

[@electrosync]

Sajana Vithana Pathirana Gotta pay the bills...

[@harryferrett9420]

electrosync exanctly he’s only a small youtuber let’s just allow it

[@sharkcraft8568]

4:19 A service module with fins? That’s Dragon 2, right?

[@mcb187]

Yup, was looking for that comment.

[@brianfari9731]

why this channel so underrated?

[@danielpava]

One of the coolest and most creative things I've seen on the internet, I'm also a super fan of KSP, really awesome to see aerospace engineering on a domestic scale, beautiful project

[@mjproebstle]

Real world KSP?!? You sir, are brilliant!

[@pizzainc.1465]

*WORKING* real world ksp. There is plenty of real world KSPs, just a lot of them won’t fly

[@dying2play517]

This is a BRILLIANT idea man... OH I would love to see more KSP rocket builds irl on this channel... With KSP 2 just releasing, it might bring a bit of attention

[@ivanfaye3041]

On kerbal the command pod got a overkill reaction wheel

[@ivanfaye3041]

So you can turn it off for more real simulation

[@madferret2045]

Yeah but if you don't turn on SAS it won't be used

[@madferret2045]

But I do agree that reaction wheels are OP

[@OmariWest2024]

@@madferret2045 it will be tho, reaction wheel work with manual controls.

[@DeadlyDiddly]

Well...erm...You managed two more launches than SpaceX did this week James! 🤣

[@Project-Air]

😂 I’ll take that as a win

[@ammardanish6831]

@@Project-Air ah I see, you're meme boy as well

[@donaldbarden7745]

I used to launch model rockets as a young kid in the mid-70’s. The hobby has progressed exponentially! Thanks for the great videos and reminding me of my youth. You are an incredibly cool individual.

[@mozkitolife5437]

SpaceZ mission control: "High winds, 80 km/h SE" "Perfect! Go for launch in..."

[@HeyItsRed_]

I literally downloaded the original files yesterday and have been printing them since. I have some printing right now and this just ended up in my recommended. I was thinking of doing exactly this

[@astrofox2409]

I'm happy to see someone make model rockets that are from KSP. I have personally been wanting to make my own high power rockets based on rockets I've built in KSP or overall just build a scale model of one that actually flies irl. It definitely would make a fun challenge.

[@arro_rockets]

3:27, if no one's gonna mention it, I may as-well do! It's vehicle assembly building... I'm so sorry

[@JamesL920]

ARRO is right

[@lohwenkong8347]

Good luck and wish you have better weather during your launch!

[@thegmer5249]

Awesome video. I've been playing KSP for quite a while now and it's nice to see content like this. When I saw the rocket you built in-game and how you tested it, I was a bit sceptical. The KSP part of me was just like, "That thing will never reach orbit! It would be way too difficult to steer." Then I remembered: it doesn't have to steer! 😁

[@Andstronaut]

Project Air: " No thrust-vectoring in real life" Joe Barnard BPS Space: " Hold my TVC system"

[@itsabuscus1619]

Brilliant idea for a video! No matter what happens after launch, it’s a success!

[@wamplertube]

I just found these files yesterday and download them. Pretty neat that I stumbled across your video just now!

[@Project-Air]

Nice! 😀

[@harryferrett9420]

*please do more I loved this video!* Subbed

[@jflight1691]

try spin-stabilized, always tracks straight as an arrow for me

[@Kenprints]

Absolutely love your channel James keep up the good work

[@Project-Air]

Thank you for watching!

[@flyingark173]

Great video! I would love to see a successful flight, don't give up on this idea yet! If you go for another attempt, you may want to consider venting the two side engines in the main compartment to help with parachute deployment.

[@MrDJAK777]

you can make standalone ejection charges with a bit of black powder contained somehow and use motors without there own ejection/delay charge. Can even wire a basic circuit up to an altimeter and have it go off at a set altitude. There's even a pretty simple equation to work out exactly how large a charge of black powder a particular rocket design will need to generate the required pressure. To make that even simpler they have online calculators that do it for you now.

[@rowanalbright7711]

Hey loved the video! I was just wondering how you design your model airplanes, they look wonderful and seem to fly even better!

[@ryanoconnor1442]

Awesome video! Use the lightest materials possible. An all plastic 3D printed rocket will need very very large fins due to the weight. Looking forward to more KSP projects!

[@TroyRubert]

So glad someone finally did this.

[@samueloliver5591]

So so cool! What I have wanted to do for ages :D

[@johnymodem1326]

Great work, as usual. Thanks. :)

[@randomstudiosinc.8106]

Project air: talking about ksp [ 5 minutes later ] Also project air: Downlad nord vpn Me : [visible comfusion]

[@trentharrison7141]

This was awesome mate

[@ropasadiplay]

We want more rocket videos. We love them. Hello from Spain.

[@AkariInsko]

No one: Him: uses a trackpad to play games

[@mikeupton5406]

I can totally see a line of model rockets kits made from Kerbal. It's worthwhile persuing.

[@johnlichtenstein6158]

Handheld tracking shots on point!

[@Project-Air]

I’m glad someone appreciates that! 😂

[@Sharded_YT]

umm the rocket crashed

[@Sharded_YT]

@@Project-Air the rocket crashed

[@Sharded_YT]

@projectair

[@Sharded_YT]

@Projectair

[@ChipEstrada]

There is no such thing as a failure in science, all outcomes provide useful data. :) Well done young man, carry on!

[@alexwalker6736]

Nice video!!! will you be trying 2 or 3 stage rockets in the future? also, bigger rocket motors with a speedometer would be cool!!!

[@snkdrawing1175]

I am eagerly waiting for more rocket projects

[@Project-Air]

You'll like what's coming this Friday then

[@snkdrawing1175]

i am waiting

[@Glub009]

That sponsor transition was smoother than my flights in KSP.

[@nappalnation7877]

The Kerbals are proud of you!!

[@DustyKorpse]

Very cool projects! 👍🚀

[@pierremeunier]

thanks for your great content , it's like rocket made simple

[@henrydarker4314]

Maybe you could your DLGs a rocket assisted launch! ;-)

[@KenRomero]

Such Good Fun, your projects! 🖖👍

[@andrewmitchell5807]

Love the rocket stuff

[@pricelessppp]

Two favorite things space & KSP! Isn’t this how the devs got their inspection form playing with this stuff when they’re growing up? Saw a story about why they made KSP.

[@magicaardvark1]

Hadn't noticed it before, but max love for the Casio F91-W watch. Oh and I have the same 3d Printer. Ender love

[@ghostofjeb]

having those files would be amazing with ksp 2 for science out

[@renaudfensie3020]

Genius idea

[@abosaleh3318]

These are great efforts. Maybe try thrust vectoring systems??

[@easydoesit2006]

In order to get the chute to deploy, you need a aluminum foil wading just ahead of the top end of the engine. This should help with chute deployment and keep it from burning .

[@TheCeebmoj]

Many model dockets have a narrower tube with in the main body of the rocket with a bafle at each end to redude the volume that the ejection charge has to fill increasing the pdds of ejecting the nose cone. Thay also often ues a fier proof wadding to stop the parishute getting scortched.

[@SpaceDave-on8uv]

If you ever redo this project, maybe try using a resin 3d printer for the high detail part

[@GWDadventures]

Ohhhhg yeah!!! Love it!

[@acestillwell98]

The clip at 1:43 has a funny back story. That is an Apollo Saturn V command pod with its LES. The main test of that rocket was to test the abort system. It was uncrewed and after a certain amount of time had passed, the LES was supposed to deploy. HOWEVER; during the construction of the rocket, they crossed a wire with the guidance unit by accident and so the fins imparted a roll to the craft. A roll that eventually made it unstable and rips itself apart. The LES had wires that ran down the whole body of the rocket (both on Saturn V and this test). If a certain amount of the wires lost connection, it would trigger. And it does here. Before the pre-set timer goes off, the rocket is damaged by accident and the LES activates.

[@emersonsims9503]

You NEED to print in vase mode to increase velocity and decrease weight

[@gca259]

Great content - thanks!

[@MCsCreations]

Pretty fantastic job, James! 😂 I don't know, but I guess you trust too much those motors to open the parachute! 😬 Stay safe there! 🖖😊

[@svenoliver8311]

Ever thought about using a longer guide ramp? We use at least three times longer ones and had problems stabilizing when we used shorter ones before. Also, are you 100% certain that these little motors produce 1.2kg thrust each? If youre interested, I'd pin a link to a launch of one of our rockets with data.

[@slowneutron6163]

WUNDERBAR ballistic arc. Herr Goering will be pleased.

[@seanholm8957]

Hey, i know this was made a while ago, BUT Make the ejection charge of the side boosters cause them to split from the rocket with their own chutes.

[@polygorg]

You should make little pressure tubes to redirect the eject charges directly to the separation points.

[@thecameraman8979]

This is so cool

[@seacube3]

Instant center of thrust is a key factor in model rockets with no active stability. The centerline engine inherently trusts through the center axis, but the offset of the side boosters do no, unless you cant them in 2-5º.

[@stratocaster_o]

It would be super interesting to see a model rocket with the same thrust to weight ratio (to scale) as one of KSP or a real life one, to see if the flight characteristics look similar 👌🏼

[@lordofthechimie]

yeah but kerbal rockets burns few minutes, these rockets burns like 2-3 seconds. what can you compare with this?

[@krow1551]

It's beautiful

[@talitubi101]

Well waiting for a day without wind in Britain is impossible anyway.

[@Project-Air]

You’re right there! 😂

[@amandamensing8701]

You should make a part two for this video

[@idioticdriver]

I love this vid because i have been playing ksp for 3 years

[@brianartillery]

Your first rocket design at 06:25 looks just like the NASA 'Little Joe' rocket, used to test Apollo escape systems.

[@caelananimation]

I love how you are using 3D printed parts not many people do that

[@greggsvintageworkshop8974]

Great video, very entertaining.

[@FloppoDOS]

Amazing projectair

[@MXMAURIX]

good video bro and good work.

[@gernith]

Kerbal-X!!! I can't believe no one is selling a kit of the kerbal-x.

[@anitapathak3896]

hipidi hopidi this was amazing

[@swastiktilwane8062]

For fins you should use the "circular fins" It might stabilize it better than the traditional one

[@kyrkbymannen]

I loved the ksp theme

[@thedoiteltwins]

You don't have to make your own parts, the 3D models are actually stored and accessible in the game files which you can find

[@pahlavi5312]

Try building a space shuttle on KSP! You'll get a feel of how it works, how to fix stuff and might translate into a real model shuttle! :)

[@geminisspacesystems3698]

hi amazing video you should try doing the crew dragon

[@maxinai_]

If you try this again you should install the mod "FAR continued (Ferram Aerospace Research)" as it completely overhauls the aerodynamics system in KSP to make it much more accurate.

[@justinsurla6043]

nice video man

[@Project-Air]

Thank you

[@stejer211]

1:57 Smoooooth transition into advertising, I don't know what reality is anymore.

[@vetaylotaylor5714]

The last air plane looked like a sr-71 blackbird

[@VivyX2]

This is the most kerbal style launch u could do

[@Starboy-un4jb]

This is every kerbal player’s dream

[@georgeashmore9420]

Do you need a friction mount for the parachute since the trust should hold it together then when the engines run out it should release the parachute faster?

[@MaksMP5088]

KSP meinstall engine : exist ProjectAir: Build it in real life and fly the rocket with it.

[@guy_in_ashopping_cart-sfs967]

Awesome video btw, but next time i think you should just spray paint the rocket shell red or some bright colour to make it more visible

[@nathanchapman93]

Hi mate, great video. Quick question, what rocket motors are you using? Thanks

[@Geezerthunder]

After 2 years I was your first reply. I'm honoured

[@Packless1]

...i wonder why i'm humming the 'Right Stuff'-theme in my mind, while watching your videos...! ;-) 3:25 ...fun-fact: the VAB is so big, it has its own micro-climate - without AC it would even rain inside...!

[@darkmann12]

9:42 everyone uses this music lmao

[@TheWizardOfAhhz]

But I can't remember the name of the song. Sadness

[@kevinshen9391]

The great thing is, is that if it blows up then it is just as realistic as if it is a success!

[@ryansmithza]

Perhaps a hybrid construction using part plastic and part MUCH lighter materials 🙈 It looks like you had 3 x D motors in there and they're fairly powerful for a DIY rocket. I launched a wooden broom handle many 100's of feet up one once upon a time.

[@davidbean5807]

Have you ever tried making your find on a rocket spiral around the body of the rocket to get the spin to find out if it travels further?

[@ironbunky]

remember: if your rocket is not powerful enough, add more boosters.

[@bobwebber8521]

I don't know beans about rocketry but surly the length or height of the thing should play a part in the stability? Good video thanks. You must put in a lot of time editing.

[@sonicsupersam7793]

Flew in true kerbal fashion