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