Rocketry Educational
Information
|
|
|
Forces
on a Model Rocket
Flying
model rockets is a relatively inexpensive way for students to learn
the basics of aerodynamic forces and the response of vehicles to
external forces. Like an aircraft, a model rocket is subjected to the
forces of weight, thrust, drag, and lift.
|
|
|
Fundamentals
of Rocket Stability
Following
the liftoff the rocket often turns into the wind. This maneuver is
called weather cocking and it is caused by aerodynamic forces on the
rocket. During the flight of a model rocket small gusts of wind, or
thrust instabilities can cause the rocket to "wobble", or
change its attitude in flight. When disturbed by external forces a
stable rocket will always tend to return to it's original flight path.
|
|
|
Model
Rocket Stability: The Basics
The
principle of air pressure blowing against an object and causing it to
turn is well demonstrated by a weathervane. The swing test is a basic
test to give you a rough idea how your rocket will fly.
|
|
|
Wind
Caused Instability
Rocketeers
intending to fly on windy days should learn more about their rocket's
stability than merely whether or not the CG is at least 1 caliber
forward of the CP. It is not a good idea to launch rockets in winds
between about 15 mph and the 20-mph limit unless their stability
characteristics are particularly favorable for these conditions.
|
|
|
Fundamentals
of Rocket Motors
To move a
model rocket through the air, we must use a propulsion system to
generate thrust. All rockets rely on some type of engine to generate
power. Rocket engines depend on the burning of fuel to produce power.
There are two main categories of rocket engines; liquid rockets and
solid rockets. In a solid rocket, the fuel and oxidizer are mixed
together and packed into a solid cylinder.
|
|
|
High
Power Rocket Motor Basics
Reloadable
solid rocket motors basically consist of a motor casing which is lined
with heat resistant material and filled with a combustible propellant.
The propellant is burned to provide high volumes of expanding gases,
which are accelerated through a nozzle at one end of the motor to
provide thrust according to Newton's third law. The motor casing contains
these very hot expanding gases so that they
can be directed towards the nozzle.
|
|
|
Run A Motor
Tutorial Program
This
tutorial program covers the basic nomenclature of model rocket motors,
and identifies the internal components and operation of several motor
types. The operation of the ignition system and several different
igniter types are also detailed.
|
|
|
High
Power Rocketry Safety
High power
rockets are capable of causing significant damage yet the High Power
Rocketry hobby has an excellent safety record. "Anatomy of a
Successful Failure" was an article written by one of our members
that shows safety is no accident.
|
|
|
Rocketry Educational
Web Sites
|
|
|
Beginner's
Guide to Rockets
The
Beginner's Guide to Rockets will help you learn the basic math and
physics that govern the design and flight of rockets. At this Web site
you can study how rockets operate at your own pace and to your own
level of interest.
|
|
|
Beginning
Model Rocketry
This site
is for anyone interested in space, rockets, and model rocketry. These
pages will give you some background on the hobby, hopefully answer
some questions, and get you started on your way to becoming a
rocketeer.
|
|
|
Rocketry
Online INFOcentral
The
online hobby rocketry resource. Designed to assist old and new
enthusiasts alike, INFOcentral presents commonly referenced industry
terms and definitions together with graphical representations of the
subject matter.
|
|
|
rec.models.rockets
(r.m.r) FAQs
This list
of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) is an attempt to compile a number
of questions and suggestions that have been repeatedly posted to r.m.r
into a single document. Although this document is not a 'how to' on
any form of rocketry, it's hoped that it might be of use in answering
some of the more commonly asked questions, summarizing some good tips
and suggestions, and directing the reader to other documents, books,
sources, etc., where more information may be found.
|
|
|
Rocketry Educator
Packs
|
|
|
Rocketry
Educators Pack
by Apogee Rockets
In this
document, you’ll find a stockpile of resources that you can use in
your rocketry unit at school. There are great things like overhead
transparency images, handouts, award certificates, coloring pages, and
quizzes that you can print out and give to your students. Pick and
choose what works for you; the overhead transparencies will also work
great in PowerPoint presentations!
|
|
|
Rocketry
Educators Pack
by NASA
The Rockets
Teacher Guide builds on classroom experience and presents a suite of
improved and activities that prepare students for the future of space
exploration. It has found widespread use because of the exciting
nature of the topic and because of its dynamic classroom activities
that match and support both national and state education standards for
science, mathematics, and technology. This revision of the guide, by
the original authors, updates educators on NASA’s 21st Century Space
Exploration Policy and the vehicles that will make this vision
possible.
|
|
|
Student Rocketry
Competitions
|
|
|
Team
America Rocketry Challenge
The Team
America Rocketry Challenge (TARC) is the world's largest rocket
contest, sponsored by the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) and
the National Association of Rocketry (NAR). The current goal is to
design, build and fly a one-stage model rocket to an altitude of 750
feet, keep it aloft for 45 seconds, and return 2 raw eggs unbroken.
The contest is designed to encourage students to study math and
science and pursue careers in aerospace.
|
|
|
Rockets
For Schools
Rockets for
Schools provides an opportunity for students to learn about aerospace
technology, scientific experiments, and space launches. Student teams
construct a rocket equipped with a powerful motor that lifts it to
high altitudes. Besides constructing their rocket, students design a
payload experiment to fly on their rocket. In addition, students give
an oral presentation and prepare a visual display of their experiment
to exhibit at the event.
|
|
|
Student
Launch Initiative
The NASA Student Launch Initiative
(SLI) involves middle and high school students in designing, building
and testing reusable rockets with associated scientific payloads. This
unique hands-on experience allows students to demonstrate
proof-of-concept for their designs and gives previously abstract
concepts tangibility. Teams can qualify to participate in the SLI by
placing in the top level two teams at the Rockets for Schools
competition or by placing in the top at the Team America Rocketry
Challenge, or TARC.
|
|
|
