How to Launch a Model Rocket
Although model rockets are usually considered to be a safe form of entertainment, certain specific safety guidelines should still be followed to ensure an accident-free launch. Model rocket launching should never be taken lightly and should preferably be done in the company of at least one responsible adult, although children should definitely be encouraged to participate to take full advantage of all the wonder and excitement.
The first step is choosing your rocket launch site. It should preferably be an open space, either an empty parking lot or a field of some sort, where there are few other people around. Although onlookers are great, it’s important that you alert them to your activities to avoid surprise and possibly injury. The length and width of your field should be no less than half of the projected height your rocket is designed to attain. The fewer trees, buildings, electric lines, or telephone wires there are around the better. Model rockets have an uncanny tendency to get caught on these when re-entering the earth’s atmosphere.
It is wise to set up your launch pad in the very middle of the empty space you are using as a launch site. Make sure the safety cap is securely in place on your launch rod to avoid a premature ejection.
Next, prepare your motor assembly. To load the motor into the rocket, flip back the engine clip at your rocket’s base and slip the motor into the rocket. Be sure to put the clip back when you are done. Secure the igniter firmly in place using the plug. The plug should hold the two wires on the igniter a fair distance apart for maximum safety. This may be obvious to some but use only the correct motor that matches your rocket assembly. Use of a motor that is not recommended for your rocket’s body type could either damage the rocket or severely damage you.
If your rocket comes with a parachute as its recovery method, follow the diagrams in the parachute’s instruction manual to make sure you fold it correctly. Folding the parachute is usually easy and quick. To separate the parachute from the rocket’s engine, lift either the rocket’s nose cone or upper half and stuff in a few layers of nonflammable material. This usually comes with the parachute and should either be paper or cellulose wadding. Once there is enough space between the engine and the parachute compartment, lay the parachute down in place and close the rocket.
Now you can remove the safety cap off the launch rod and carefully slide your rocket into place on its launch pad. The launch rod should fit neatly into a long and thin compartment on the side of your rocket known as the launch lug. Without letting either the igniter wires or the controller clips touch each other, slowly attach the clips to the wires.
You are finally ready to launch your rocket. Walk backward away from the rocket as far as the controller wires will allow. Make sure there is no one any closer than you are to the rocket in any direction and that all young children are holding an adult’s hand to prevent runaways.
Put the safety key into the controller and countdown to zero to build anticipation. At zero, press the launch button and watch your rocket soar.
One of the best parts of rocket launching is still to come – chasing your rocket down as it returns to earth. Keep one eye on the ground so you don’t trip over anything and see how fast you can locate your successful space explorer.