| Cameras and video cameras can be launched on | | | | High powered model rockets can carry large payloads, |
| model rockets to take photographs in-flight. Model | | | | including cameras and instrumentation such as GPS |
| rockets equipped with the Astrocam or Snapshot film | | | | units, and are not much different from their military |
| camera or the Oracle digital camera, or with homebuilt | | | | counterparts. However, unlike military rockets, |
| equivalents, can be used to take aerial photographs. | | | | high-powered model rockets generally do not contain |
| These aerial photographs can be taken in many ways | | | | any type of guidance system. |
| and with many different types of cameras. | | | | Since the September 11, 2001 attacks, high powered |
| Mechanised timers can be used to take photographs. | | | | model rocketry in the United States has been even |
| Passive methods are also employed, such as strings | | | | more carefully monitored by the government. Engine |
| that are pulled by flaps that respond to wind | | | | vendors and participants must be licensed, and all |
| resistance. Microprocessor controllers can also be | | | | high-power flights require FAA notification.[citations |
| used. However, the rocket's speed and motion can | | | | needed] |
| lead to blurry photographs, and quickly changing lighting | | | | Recovery |
| conditions as the rocket points from ground to sky can | | | | Model and high-power rockets are designed to be |
| have an impact on video quality. Video frames can | | | | safely recovered and flown repeatedly. The most |
| also be stitched together to create panoramas. As | | | | common recovery methods are parachute and |
| parachute systems tend to fail, model rocket cameras | | | | streamer. |
| need to be protected from impact with the ground. | | | | Tumble recovery |
| Instrumentation and experimentation | | | | The simplest approach, and one only appropriate for |
| Model rockets with electronic altimeters can report and | | | | small rockets or rockets with a large cross-sectional |
| or record electronic data such as maximum speed, | | | | area, is to have the rocket tumble back to earth. Any |
| acceleration, and altitude. | | | | rocket which will enter a stable, ballistic trajectory as it |
| Model rocketeers often experiment with rocket sizes, | | | | falls is not safe to use with tumble recovery. |
| shapes, payloads, multistage rockets, and recovery | | | | Parachute/Streamer |
| methods. Some rocketeers build scale models of | | | | The approach used most often in small model rockets. |
| larger rockets, space launchers, or missiles. | | | | It uses the ejection charge of the motor (see below) |
| High Power Rocketry (HPR) | | | | to deploy, or push out, the parachute or streamer. Air |
| As with low power model rockets, high power rockets | | | | resistance slows the rocket's fall, ending (hopefully) in a |
| are also constructed from lightweight materials, but | | | | smooth, controlled, gentle landing. |
| instead of paper, plastic, and wood, usually fiberglass, | | | | Glide recovery |
| composites, and aluminum are needed to withstand the | | | | In glide recovery, the ejection charge either deploys an |
| higher stresses during flight which often exceeds Mach | | | | airfoil (wing) or separates a glider from the motor. If |
| 1 (~700 mph) and over 10,000 ft altitude. | | | | properly trimmed, the rocket/glider will enter a spiral |
| High power model rockets are propelled by larger | | | | glide and return safely. In some cases, radio-controlled |
| motors ranging from class H to O and can be up to | | | | rocket gliders are flown back to the earth by a pilot in |
| 40 feet tall. Their motors are almost always reloadable | | | | much the way as R/C model airplanes are flown. |
| rather than single-use in order to reduce cost. | | | | Helicopter recovery |
| Recovery and/or multi-stage ignition may be initiated | | | | The ejection charge, through one of several methods, |
| by small on-board computers, which use an altimeter | | | | deploys helicopter-style blades and the rocket |
| or accelerometer for detecting when to ignite engines | | | | auto-rotates back to earth. |
| or deploy parachutes. | | | | |