| Model rocketry is a hobby similar to | | | | often credited as the most significant |
| building model airplanes. In the hobby | | | | source of inspiration for children who |
| today, there are two distinct areas of | | | | eventually become scientists and |
| rocket activity: amateur (or | | | | engineers. See National Association of |
| experimental) rocketry, and model | | | | Rocketry (NAR). |
| rocketry (including high powered | | | | The History of model rocketry |
| rocketry). | | | | The model rocket, and more importantly, |
| Model and High Power Rocketry | | | | the model rocket engine, was designed in |
| Model rocketry and high power rocketry | | | | 1954 by Orville Carlisle, a licensed |
| involve professionally-manufactured | | | | pyrotechnics expert, and his brother |
| solid-fuel or hybrid liquid/solid fuel | | | | Robert, a model airplane enthusiast. |
| rocket motors. Since these motors are | | | | They originally designed the engine and |
| professionally designed and constructed, | | | | rocket for Robert to use in lectures on |
| they are far safer than motors produced | | | | the principles of rocket powered flight. |
| by individuals for use in amateur or | | | | But then Orville read articles written |
| experimental rocketry. The motors also | | | | in Popular Mechanics by G. Harry Stine |
| are tested and certified by the National | | | | about the safety problems associated |
| Association of Rocketry, the Tripoli | | | | with young people trying to make their |
| Rocketry Association or the Canadian | | | | own rocket engines. With the launch of |
| Association of Rocketry and come in | | | | Sputnik, many young people were trying |
| standardized sizes and powers. | | | | to build their own rocket engines, often |
| Model rocketry | | | | with tragic results. Homer Hickam was a |
| According to the National Association of | | | | teenage boy from West Virginia who with |
| Rocketry (NAR) safety code, model | | | | some of his friends, created a rocket. |
| rockets are constructed of paper, wood, | | | | Some of these attempts were dramatized |
| plastic and other lightweight materials. | | | | in the movie October Sky. Homer is often |
| The code also provides guidelines for | | | | credited with creating the first model |
| motor use, launch site selection, launch | | | | rocket, but it is more likely that the |
| methods, launcher placement, recovery | | | | first true model rocket was built by |
| system design and deployment and more. | | | | Orville Carlisle. The Carlisles realized |
| Since the early 1960s, a copy of the | | | | their engine design could be marketed |
| Model Rocket Safety Code has been | | | | and provide a safe outlet for a new |
| provided with most model rocket kits and | | | | hobby. They sent samples to Mr. Stine in |
| motors. Model rocketry is a very safe | | | | January, 1957. Stine, a range safety |
| hobby, provided precautions are taken as | | | | officer at White Sands Missile Range, |
| given in the safety code. | | | | built and flew the models, and then |
| Model rocketry is enjoyed by many | | | | devised a safety code for the activity |
| different levels of hobbyist, from | | | | based on his experience at the range. |
| grade-school children launching 3 inch | | | | The National Association of Rocketry was |
| (75 mm) tall models in the baseball | | | | founded in 1957 to help promote not only |
| field, to teams of adults launching 200 | | | | the hobby, but to promote the safety of |
| pound (100 kg) behemoths thousands of | | | | the activities related to model |
| feet into the air. Model rocketry is | | | | rocketry. |