How does Hamas create rockets with the household against Israel?
Have you ever wondered how rockets are made? Surprisingly, they can be created using common household ingredients like sugar and potassium nitrate.
Introduction:
Israel and Hamas continue to clash in and around Gaza. Although the number of casualties keeps increasing, where does Hamas continue to obtain its weapons and missiles?
Hamas starts by using some easy-to-find household ingredients like sugar and potassium nitrate, which can be used as fertilizer. Next, to create a propellant slug that is the right size, they began by melting the sugar, combining it with the fertilizer, and then pouring the mixture into a mold. The rocket's body, a Round Tube, usually constructed from locally accessible water pipes, is then filled with this propellant. You may wonder why sugar is added to the mixture. Although sugar burns with a significant amount of energy, it releases this energy gradually, and the fertilizer acts as an oxidizing agent by providing oxygen. This permits a much faster energy release. When applied in the proper amounts, it burns sufficiently quickly. It also comes at a low cost. This info gathered by A video released by Hamas militants reveals how their rockets are made. (Source: Youtube)
Let’s explore it more…
The Rocket's Propellant
The rocket's propellant is the key component that powers its flight. To create the propellant, a mixture of sugar and potassium nitrate is used. Sugar contains a significant amount of energy, which is released slowly when it burns. The potassium nitrate acts as an oxidizing agent, supplying oxygen for a quicker release of energy when the right proportions are used. This combination allows the rocket to burn fast enough to propel itself without causing an explosion.
The process begins by melting the sugar and mixing it with the potassium nitrate. The resulting mixture is then poured into a mold to form a properly sized-propellant slug. This propellant slug is placed into a round tube, typically made from locally available water pipes, which serves as the rocket's body.
The Rocket's Structure
At first glance, a homemade rocket may seem complex, but its structure is relatively simple. The rocket is launched from a steel frame that allows for quick deployment and easy removal. A wire connected to a battery ignites the rocket's solid fuel propellant, which burns for a short time, propelling the rocket upwards.
During its flight, the rocket follows a predictable parabolic trajectory and impacts the ground at a consistent distance from the launch point. This simple structure ensures a straightforward and reliable flight path.
Difference Between Rockets and Missiles
Before we delve deeper into homemade rockets, let's clarify the difference between a rocket and a missile. A rocket's direction is determined by the amount of available propellant and the elevation of the rocket launcher. It operates as a projectile. On the other hand, a missile is equipped with a guidance system that allows for adjustments to its trajectory and impact point during flight.
For example, the missile which is used in the defense sector, includes a guidance system, sensors, and fins that can rotate or track a target to aim and destroy. Homemade rockets, like the CM (command module) rocket, lack such guidance systems and rely solely on their initial launch parameters.
Structure of the Qassam Rocket
The Qassam rocket measures approximately 2.2 meters in length, has a diameter of 17 centimeters, and weighs 90 kilograms. In addition to its weight and size, it is equipped with a payload of 10 kilograms consisting of high explosives. This payload makes the Qassam rocket a weapon.
When comparing the size of the Qassam rocket to a human, it is not excessively large.
Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups in Gaza have a wide variety of missiles
Parts and Functions of the Qassam Rocket
Let's take a closer look at the different parts and functions of the Qassam rocket:
Nozzles and Fins
Propellant Charge
Ball bearings and
Fuse
Nozzles and Fins
At the rear of the rocket, you'll find multiple nozzles responsible for expelling exhaust gases. Just above the nozzles are the fins, which stabilize the rocket during its flight. These fins ensure that the rocket follows a precise parabolic trajectory.
Propellant Charge
In the central section of the rocket, you'll find the propellant charge. This component is a mixture of sugar and potassium nitrate, serving as the rocket's fuel source. It provides the necessary energy for the rocket's flight.
Shrapnel or Ball Bearings
Above the solid fuel rocket, there is the shrapnel or ball bearings. These play a crucial role in the rocket's destructive capabilities. Within the warhead of the Qassam rocket, a combination of urea nitrate and smuggled TNT is bolstered by additional shrapnel for maximum impact upon detonation.
Fuse
A critical part of the rocket's design is the fuse. It is a simple yet effective device consisting of an empty small arms cartridge filled with an explosive booster material. This material is set in motion by a spring-loaded nail, creating the mechanism that triggers the rocket's explosive payload.
The Launch Process
Now, let's walk through the step-by-step process of launching a homemade rocket:
Prepare the rocket for launch by placing it on a simple steel frame that can be quickly deployed and easily removed.
Visually align the launcher with the particular target and adjust the launch angle to control the range. Commercial drones can provide helpful information for enhanced accuracy, but it's primarily based on estimations regarding the designated targets.
Connect a wire from a battery to the base of the rocket. When ready, ignite the solid fuel propellant composed of sugar and potassium nitrate.
After ignition, the propellant burns for approximately 1 to 5 seconds, powering the rocket upward at an angle. Once the burn ceases, the rocket follows a parabolic path under the influence of gravity and impacts the ground at a predictable distance from its launch point.
When the rocket follows its parabolic path and begins descending, it activates the trigger fuse located in the hollow magazine. This triggers the rocket's explosive payload.
The explosive payload, consisting of urea and TNT, detonates upon activation of the fuse, dispersing shrapnel and causing maximum damage.
Homemade rockets, like the CM rocket, have both advantages and disadvantages. Let's take a look at them:
Advantages
Low Cost and Accessibility: Rockets are relatively low-cost weapons, making them easily accessible for militant groups with limited resources.
Disadvantages
Inaccuracy: Homemade rockets lack precision guidance systems, making their trajectory susceptible to factors like wind. This inaccuracy can lead to unintended civilian casualties and property damage.
Falling Into Friendly Territory: Due to their unguided nature, homemade rockets occasionally fall back into friendly territory, posing a significant danger to their launchers.
Interception by Air Defense Systems
The Iron Dome utilizes advanced technology to intercept incoming rockets. Let's explore how it works:
The radar system detects and tracks potential threats within a radius of 100 kilometers.
The radar data is conveyed to the battle management control system, which relays it to the launcher.
The launcher transmits the information to the interceptor missile.
The interceptor missile is launched to neutralize the incoming rocket before it reaches its projected impact zone.
The interceptor missile uses an electro-optical sensor to monitor and target the incoming rockets. It strives to approach the threat as closely as possible.
Upon achieving the designated target, the missile activates its advanced sensors and laser system. The proximity fuse warhead, pre-loaded with fragmentation rounds, detonates within a range of 7 to 8 meters from the target, ensuring maximum damage upon impact.
This entire content is made only for educational purposes and also while making it with the household is quite interesting, it’s important to take the safety measures first to prevent any dangerous thing while handling propellent and also preferably work in an open place to avoid any threats.
⚠️Disclaimer⚠️: This content is only for educational purposes, and it does not depict the actual process of rocket production.
Reference:
Los Angeles Times: https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2021-05-20/hamas-amass-arsenal-rockets-strike-israel
The Times of Israel: https://www.timesofisrael.com/hamas-arsenal-from-sewage-pipes-to-sophisticated-rockets/
Lawfare: https://www.lawfaremedia.org/article/missile-defense-in-the-israel-hamas-war
The conversation: https://theconversation.com/where-do-israel-and-hamas-get-their-weapons-220762
Youtube: