Become a rocketry master


What are model rockets

Model rocketry is a hobby similar tooften credited as the most significant
building model airplanes. In the hobbysource of inspiration for children who
today, there are two distinct areas ofeventually become scientists and
rocket activity: amateur (orengineers. See National Association of
experimental) rocketry, and modelRocketry (NAR).
rocketry (including high poweredThe History of model rocketry
rocketry).The model rocket, and more importantly,
Model and High Power Rocketrythe model rocket engine, was designed in
Model rocketry and high power rocketry1954 by Orville Carlisle, a licensed
involve professionally-manufacturedpyrotechnics expert, and his brother
solid-fuel or hybrid liquid/solid fuelRobert, a model airplane enthusiast.
rocket motors. Since these motors areThey originally designed the engine and
professionally designed and constructed,rocket for Robert to use in lectures on
they are far safer than motors producedthe principles of rocket powered flight.
by individuals for use in amateur orBut then Orville read articles written
experimental rocketry. The motors alsoin Popular Mechanics by G. Harry Stine
are tested and certified by the Nationalabout the safety problems associated
Association of Rocketry, the Tripoliwith young people trying to make their
Rocketry Association or the Canadianown rocket engines. With the launch of
Association of Rocketry and come inSputnik, many young people were trying
standardized sizes and powers.to build their own rocket engines, often
Model rocketrywith tragic results. Homer Hickam was a
According to the National Association ofteenage boy from West Virginia who with
Rocketry (NAR) safety code, modelsome 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 forcredited with creating the first model
motor use, launch site selection, launchrocket, but it is more likely that the
methods, launcher placement, recoveryfirst true model rocket was built by
system design and deployment and more.Orville Carlisle. The Carlisles realized
Since the early 1960s, a copy of thetheir engine design could be marketed
Model Rocket Safety Code has beenand provide a safe outlet for a new
provided with most model rocket kits andhobby. They sent samples to Mr. Stine in
motors. Model rocketry is a very safeJanuary, 1957. Stine, a range safety
hobby, provided precautions are taken asofficer at White Sands Missile Range,
given in the safety code.built and flew the models, and then
Model rocketry is enjoyed by manydevised a safety code for the activity
different levels of hobbyist, frombased on his experience at the range.
grade-school children launching 3 inchThe National Association of Rocketry was
(75 mm) tall models in the baseballfounded in 1957 to help promote not only
field, to teams of adults launching 200the hobby, but to promote the safety of
pound (100 kg) behemoths thousands ofthe activities related to model
feet into the air. Model rocketry isrocketry.



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