Possible to send a model rocket into space?

[TechnicalK3rbal]

Model rocket-no

Amateur rocket-sure

An "amateur" rocket has actually been sent into orbit.

[cpast]

An "amateur" rocket has actually been sent into orbit.

By who? CSXT didn't go to orbit.

[KASASpace]

A custom built model rocket could all right. Most model rockets with store-bought engines have fuel only in the engine, giving really small Delta-v. Now, using extended fuel tanks you could do it with a simple guidance system and "infinite" staging, which means staging immediately around a core (OTRAG did that).

[cpast]

A custom built model rocket could all right. Most model rockets with store-bought engines have fuel only in the engine, giving really small Delta-v. Now, using extended fuel tanks you could do it with a simple guidance system and "infinite" staging, which means staging immediately around a core (OTRAG did that).

OTRAG was liquid fuel. Model rockets are pretty much always solid fuel. You can't just stick a bigger tank on.

[cantab]

You can (if it's legal in your jurisdiction!) make your own larger motor though, which would be the solid-fuel equivalent of bigger tanks.

[cpast]

You can (if it's legal in your jurisdiction!) make your own larger motor though, which would be the solid-fuel equivalent of bigger tanks.

Yes, but as to legality, it looks like at least in the US anything with over 160 N s impulse requires certification, and anything over 40,960 N s requires approval by an aviation authority. Laws may differ elsewhere; the US laws are the ones I could easily find. Point is, once it requires a license of some sort, I would no longer consider it model rocketry.

[KASASpace]

OTRAG was liquid fuel. Model rockets are pretty much always solid fuel. You can't just stick a bigger tank on.

I said OTRAG's staging, not OTRAG itself.

If a model rocket is a low power motor and a small-ish size, you can!