Any model rocket enthusiasts that can give advice?

NorthCyd

Well-Known Member
Aug 22, 2011
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My daughter is getting a model rocket kit for her birthday and I don't have any experience with them. Does anyone have any good resources to look at? More importantly, are there any laws or regulations associated with them in Iowa I need to be aware of? We have a big field behind our house that I think would be a good place to launch, but not sure how high and far these things will travel.
 
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As a kid we shot lots of Estes brand rockets. Do not put GI Joe in the payload if you do not want a glob of plastic

 
As a kid we shot lots of Estes brand rockets. Do not put GI Joe in the payload if you do want want a glob of plastic
Someone has to pilot the rocket! Estes is the brand she is getting I believe.
 
I bought several for my boys last summer. My advise is to use the easiest to assemble models until you get a feel for how far they will drift. We lost one and damaged another that we had painted and glued up.

After that, we stuck to the easiest models and focused on putting in the biggest engine we could.

Hobby lobby has good prices, but I like to support our independent shops too.

Have fun.
 
I was able to launch the rockets on our farm. The most powerful "engine" would take it out of sight until the parachute opened. Many times had to chase it a quarter mile or more. I liked the Alpha rocket the best as it went the highest. (Probably not the case anymore).
Stay away from airports...
 
Find a wide open space and do it when there is minimal win. When the parachute deploys they will drift a ways if there is a breeze.
Have fun. I love shooting them off
 
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If she likes that and is into rockets, hook her up with Kerbal Space Program. Challenging but rewarding.
 
If she likes that and is into rockets, hook her up with Kerbal Space Program. Challenging but rewarding.
I have that game! It's a blast, but holy crap is it challenging. She's 11, so it might be a steep learning curve for her.
 
They are a lot of fun but be prepared to lose the thing. Either due to drift of parachute getting stuck and crashing to earth.

I'm trying to think of some tips. It's been a few years. Baby powder on the parachute helps. Pack with the non flammable material to keep the parachute from getting burnt.

Personally I made my own launcher with a lantern battery, a block of wood and a piece of heavy wire.
 
Always add a extra engine
They make specific engines for staging - don't use two regular engines. The normal engine has a delay between the end of firing and the charge that deploys the 'chute.The staged rocket engines don't have any delay. They ignite the second engine immediately so the rocket doesn't change course.

During this delay, the rocket will often reorient. Sometimes it points nose down. If the second engine fires at this point, you now have a rocket being propelled back towards the ground. It scared the **** out of us when we did that as junior high kids. That rocket was about 1.5 inches in diameter, and completely buried the 6 inch long nose cone in solid ground.
 
They make specific engines for staging - don't use two regular engines. The normal engine has a delay between the end of firing and the charge that deploys the 'chute.The staged rocket engines don't have any delay. They ignite the second engine immediately so the rocket doesn't change course.

During this delay, the rocket will often reorient. Sometimes it points nose down. If the second engine fires at this point, you now have a rocket being propelled back towards the ground. It scared the **** out of us when we did that as junior high kids. That rocket was about 1.5 inches in diameter, and completely buried the 6 inch long nose cone in solid ground.
Not to mention the extra laundry this causes....
 
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Wanna see my model rocket sounds like a pick up line in the College of Engineering.
 

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