Air Force Junior ROTCAir Force Junior ROTC

How to be a Rocket ScientistHow to be a Rocket Scientist

Rocket WorkshopRocket Workshop

What you need for your badgeWhat you need for your badge

Build your rocketBuild your rocket Pass a safety and knowledge Pass a safety and knowledge

testtest 2 successful launches and 1 2 successful launches and 1

recoveriesrecoveries

Model Rocketry, The WhatModel Rocketry, The What

A small scale version A small scale version of larger military & of larger military & civilian rocketscivilian rockets

Made of plastics, Made of plastics, balsa wood.balsa wood.

Powered by small Powered by small enginesengines

Obtain heights from Obtain heights from 300 to 2000 ft.300 to 2000 ft.

Rocket WorkshopRocket Workshop

How do rockets work?How do rockets work? Curriculum links and possible activitiesCurriculum links and possible activities Flying model rocketsFlying model rockets

– Costs, sourcesCosts, sources– RegulationsRegulations– Flight instructionsFlight instructions– SafetySafety

Building a rocketBuilding a rocket Flying rockets on soccer field (time and Flying rockets on soccer field (time and

weather permitting)weather permitting)

Thrust Is What We Need!Thrust Is What We Need!

Rockets do not “push” Rockets do not “push” against anythingagainst anything– If they did, how would If they did, how would

they work in space?they work in space? Law of conservation of Law of conservation of

momentummomentum– Comes from Newton’s Comes from Newton’s

laws of motionlaws of motion ΔΔm is small, but the m is small, but the

exhaust gas is hot, so exhaust gas is hot, so momentum change is momentum change is large..large..

What can you do?What can you do?

Simple measurements of altitudeSimple measurements of altitude– Using triangulationUsing triangulation– Video of flightVideo of flight

Measure velocity and accelerationMeasure velocity and acceleration– Frame capture/videoFrame capture/video

Launch and recover an eggLaunch and recover an egg Take aerial photosTake aerial photos Fly some electronicsFly some electronics

– e.g. Altitude vs. time measuremente.g. Altitude vs. time measurement Earn a rocket badgeEarn a rocket badge

RegulationsRegulations

Rocket motors up to and including E – Rocket motors up to and including E – class are unregulatedclass are unregulated– We will be flying A, B, and C enginesWe will be flying A, B, and C engines– i.e. No license requiredi.e. No license required– You can fly these anywhere, within the You can fly these anywhere, within the

bounds of common sensebounds of common sense– But take note of safety codesBut take note of safety codes

Basic model rocketBasic model rocket

Rocket EnginesRocket Engines

Rocket PreparationRocket Preparation

Rocket PreparationRocket Preparation

Safety CodeSafety Code

1.1. Launch SiteLaunch Site - launch model rocket - launch model rocketss outdoors in a cleared area, free outdoors in a cleared area, free of tall trees, power lines, building and dry brush and grass. of tall trees, power lines, building and dry brush and grass. LLaunch aunch site will be asite will be att recommended size for applicable engine. recommended size for applicable engine.

2.2. LauncherLauncher -- llaunchaunch model rocket from a stable launch device that model rocket from a stable launch device that provides rigid guidance until the model rocket has reached a speed provides rigid guidance until the model rocket has reached a speed adequate to ensure a safe flight path. adequate to ensure a safe flight path.

3.3. To prevent accidental eye injury, always place the launcher so To prevent accidental eye injury, always place the launcher so the end of the rod is above eye level or cap the end of the rod the end of the rod is above eye level or cap the end of the rod when approaching it. when approaching it. CCap or disassembleap or disassemble launch rod when not in launch rod when not in use, never store it in an upright position. If cap is lost an empty use, never store it in an upright position. If cap is lost an empty plastic soda bottle will be placed over rod whenever not in use.plastic soda bottle will be placed over rod whenever not in use.

4.4. LLauncherauncher - will have a jet deflector device to prevent the engine will have a jet deflector device to prevent the engine exhaust from hitting the ground directly. exhaust from hitting the ground directly. AlAlways clear the area around ways clear the area around launch device of brown grass, dry weeds, or other easy-to-burn launch device of brown grass, dry weeds, or other easy-to-burn materialsmaterials

Safety CodeSafety Code5.5. Ignition SystemIgnition System - The system will be remotely controlled - The system will be remotely controlled, , electrically electrically

operatedoperated and will and will contain a launching switch that will return to contain a launching switch that will return to off off when when released. The system will contain removable safety interlock in series with the released. The system will contain removable safety interlock in series with the launch switch. All persons will remain at least 15 feet (5 meters) from the launch switch. All persons will remain at least 15 feet (5 meters) from the model rocketmodel rocket..

6.6. Launch SafetyLaunch Safety - - EEnsure that people in the launch area are aware of the nsure that people in the launch area are aware of the pending model rocket launcpending model rocket launch h and can see the model rocketand can see the model rocket’’s liftoff before s liftoff before beginbeginning anning an audible five-second countdown. If audible five-second countdown. If rocket suffers a misfire, rocket suffers a misfire, do not do not approach it or the launcher until the safety interlock has been removed or that approach it or the launcher until the safety interlock has been removed or that the battery has been disconnected from the ignition system. the battery has been disconnected from the ignition system. WWait one minute ait one minute after a misfire before approachafter a misfire before approachinging the launcher the launcher..

7.7. Flying ConditionsFlying Conditions -- LLaunchaunch rocketrocketss only when the wind is less than 20 miles only when the wind is less than 20 miles (30 kilometers) an hour. (30 kilometers) an hour. DoDo not launch not launch rocketrocketss into clouds, into clouds, near aircraft in near aircraft in ffllightight, or in a manner that is hazardous to people or property. , or in a manner that is hazardous to people or property.

8.8. Launching AngleLaunching Angle - - LLaunch device will be pointed within 30 degrees of aunch device will be pointed within 30 degrees of vertical. vertical.

9.9. Recovery HazardsRecovery Hazards - If a model rocket becomes entangled in a power line or - If a model rocket becomes entangled in a power line or other dangerous place, other dangerous place, dodo not attempt to retrieve it. not attempt to retrieve it.

10.10. Follow instructions!Follow instructions!