Rocketeering Sub-space Flight Made Easy

History of Rocket Technology  First occurrence in recorded history places rockets in China during the third century BC  British use rockets as artillery in the 1800’s  Germans introduce rockets as unmanned distance weapons during WWII  Modern rockets are used to advance science and communication

Working Rockets  Entertainment (fireworks)  Weather research  Weapons delivery  Communications  Space exploration  Hobbies The most common uses for rockets are:

Rocket Parts  Nose Cone Nose Cone Nose Cone  Body Tube Body Tube Body Tube  Launch Lug Launch Lug Launch Lug  Stabilizing Fins Stabilizing Fins Stabilizing Fins  Engine Engine  Recovery Wadding Recovery Wadding Recovery Wadding  Shock Cord Shock Cord Shock Cord  Recovery System Recovery System Recovery System

Rocket Construction  Roll the body on an appropriately sized mandrel  Mark the locations for the stabilizing fins on the rocket body  Glue the stabilizing fins to the rocket body  Install the engine mount

Rocket Construction (cont’d)  Adhere the launch lug rocket body  Connect the shock cord to the nose cone  Attach the shock cord to the inside of the rocket body tube  Attach the recovery system to the shock cord between the nose cone and rocket body

Patience: The Tough Part  Leave the rocket in a safe place to let the glue set.  Be sure the nose cone and the engine are not installed in the body of the rocket  Check all the components prior to final assembly (and every launch)

Assemble the Rocket  Insert the recovery wadding* recovery waddingrecovery wadding  Insert the recovery system* recovery systemrecovery system  Install the nose cone * nose cone nose cone  Install the engine and igniter* engine and igniterengine and igniter *should be snug, but not tight

Launch the Rocket  Ensure you have a safe area to launch  Carefully place the rocket on the launch pad  Start the countdown  We have lift-off!