Launch Tower for Minimum Diameter Rockets (38mm > 4inch)

This launch tower is intended for minimum diameter high-power rockets and will support rockets with the following airframe dimensions and fin spans.
Airframe Diameter Range: 38mm → 4inch Fin Span (max) 11 3/4 inch

There are two tower build options – the “Single Ring” and “Dual Ring” configurations.

With each there is a minimum set of components required to build a functional tower and is reflected in the “Core Tower Build” below.

You will also be required to purchase various ‘off the self’ items from your favorite hardware supplier such as McMaster and Home Depot to complete your tower build.

Centering Rings

  • The ‘centering ring’ can be purchased in either 1/2inch or 1/4inch 6061 aluminum. 
  • If strength is required, then the 1/2inch ring is recommended – however our testing has shown that the 1/4inch rings are more than sufficient for most high-power launches.

 

To “Blast Plate” or not?

  • It is best practice to place a ‘blast plate’ below your launch tower and is required at most or all high-power launch events and a 2feet x 2feet – 1/4inch plate will do the trick. 
  • It is more cost effective to purchase or source a blast plate yourself – then drill the required holes for the launch tower ‘mounting struts’ (drill template will be provide on request) 
  • Alternatively, you can purchase this from us as well and we can do the custom drilling and engraving.
    • We can also supply the center blast cap and custom size options are available upon request.
 
What if I want to use Electrical Metallic Tubing (EMT) Conduit?
  • We did have a version that supported EMT pipe or conduit but there are more components needed to create the interface to mount the conduit and this will make an EMT tower build more expensive compared to using 1010 rails.
  • A “Dual Ring” setup is also more complicated unless you drill holes through the conduit to allow for mounting hardware access – and this will create an uneven surface that will mark your rockets. 
  • Also aligning everything using the EMT conduit is really tricky! 
Edit Content

With this tower build option you would supply your own Blast Plate and drill the required holes to support the launch rail ‘struts’. At minimum you would need to purchase the following from 434 Aerospace:

  • 1 x Centering Ring in either 1/2″ or 1/4″ 6061 aluminum
  • 8 x Support Struts – 3/8th 6061 aluminum: Top & Bottom

Follow the link below for more information and a list of all required building materials. 

Edit Content

This is the high-strength tower build option where you would have an additional centering ring in the middle of the tower – you would supply your own Blast Plate and drill the required holes to support the launch rail ‘struts’. For this build you would need to purchase the following from 434 Aerospace:

  • 2 x Centering Rings in either 1/2″ or 1/4″ 6061 Aluminum
  • 12 x Support Struts (3/8th 6061 aluminum): 8 end-struts and 4 mid-struts

 

Follow the link below for more information and a list of all required building materials. 

Edit Content

We can supply want a custom Blast Plate and Blast Cap if required with the following specifications: 

  • 1/4″ x 22″ x 22″ 6061 aluminum plate
    • All required mounting holes drilled.
    • Centering rings engraved to assist with tower alignment / assembly. 
    • Custom engraving optional.
  • Blast cap for plate center.
    • Custom blast cap sizes are available as well on request.