Project 4.3.2 Rocket Into Space
Procedure
You and your team will investigate how changes in various design characteristics of
a model rocket will affect the model rocket’s flight performance. Using that
information, students will design a rocket for optimum performance (height of flight).
The class will first be divided into three different research areas – one assignment
will be to study the effect of different fin designs, another assignment will be to study
the effect of different nose cones, and the third will be to study the effect of different
body designs. After individual research in each area has been completed, you will be
combined into teams of three (one person from each research group) to put together
a rocket which will travel the highest.
Using RocketModeler III:
The RocketModeler III program provides rocket default settings for the design
characteristics and the materials used in the rocket. Switch the type of rocket from
air to solid. Record the settings on line 1 of your assigned research area chart.
Use the launch procedure below to launch the rocket using the default settings.
Record the maximum height the rocket attains in the appropriate column in the chart.
To Launch:
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Click on Solid to select the type of rocket.
Click on Design and select Go (below the chart).
Click on Fuel and select Go.
Click on Pad and select Go.
Click on Launch and select Fire.
Watch the rocket fly!
When you fly the rocket, notice the velocity (fps) of the rocket as it ascends and as it
descends. Velocity is a vector quantity. Vectors have both magnitude and direction.
The sign of the number indicates the direction the rocket is traveling. A positive sign
indicates the rocket is traveling upward; a negative sign indicates the rocket is
traveling downward. The magnitude represents how quickly the rocket is changing
position for a given unit of time.
You will simulate model rocket flight using a one stage A8-3 fuel system and the
design constraints listed in the tables below. Design ten rockets, changing your
assigned research area component with each successive launch. Determine which
design flies the highest. Record the design characteristic data and maximum height
the rocket attains in the Rocket Flight Simulation data table.
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GTT – Unit 4 – Lesson 3 – Project 4.3.2 – Rocket Into Space – Page 1
Rocket Flight Simulation Fin Chart
Design Constraints
 Solid Rocket
 Payload – 1/32 cardboard
 Fin – 1/16 gray cardboard
Launch Settings
 Fuel – A8-3
 Pad – no wind – Earth avg.
day, shoot straight up –
weathercock off
Design Characteristics
Flight
Data
Launch
Number
of Fins
Shape
of Fins
Location
from
End of
Rocket
Length
Width
Leading
Edge
Angle
Trailing
Edge
Angle
Maximum
Height
Obtained
Default
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
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GTT – Unit 4 – Lesson 3 – Project 4.3.2 – Rocket Into Space – Page 2
Rocket Flight Simulation Body Chart
Design Constraints
 Solid Rocket
 Payload – 1/32 cardboard
 Fin – 1/16 gray cardboard
Launch Settings
 Fuel – A8-3
 Pad – no wind – Earth avg.
day, shoot straight up –
weathercock off
Design Characteristics
Flight
Data
Launch
Body
Material
Length
of
Body
Diameter
of Body
Fairing
Material
Length
of
Fairing
Diameter
of
Fairing
Body Drag
Coefficient
Maximum
Height
Obtained
Default
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
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Copyright 2011
GTT – Unit 4 – Lesson 3 – Project 4.3.2 – Rocket Into Space – Page 3
Rocket Flight Simulation Nose Cone Chart
Design Constraints
 Solid Rocket
 Payload – 1/32 cardboard
 Fin – 1/16 gray cardboard
Launch Settings
 Fuel – A8-3
 Pad – no wind – Earth avg.
day, shoot straight up –
weathercock off
Design Characteristics
Flight
Data
Launch
Material
Shape
Length
Diameter
Drag
Coefficient
Recovery System
Maximum
Height
Obtained
Default
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
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Copyright 2011
GTT – Unit 4 – Lesson 3 – Project 4.3.2 – Rocket Into Space – Page 4
Part 2 – Final Rocket Design
Working with your team of engineers, each of which has specialized in a particular area
of rocket design, you must now attempt to design the rocket that will fly the highest. Fill
in the table below with information on your first choice for rocket design. Test your
design and record maximum height obtained.
As with any engineering project, you will probably need to “tweak” or adjust your design.
You will have a second and third attempt to obtain maximum results before submitting
your final design to your Instructor for evaluation. In the conclusion questions, be sure to
record what adjustments you made, and most importantly, why you made them.
Rocket Flight Simulation Summary Chart
Design Constraints
 Solid Rocket
 Payload – 1/32 cardboard
 Fin – 1/16 gray cardboard
Design Characteristics
1st
Launch Settings
 Fuel – A8-3
 Pad – no wind – Earth avg.
day, shoot straight up –
weathercock off
Test Flights
Final
Design
2nd
3rd
Number of Fins
Fin
Shape of Fins
Location from
End of Rocket
Length
Width
Leading Edge
Angle
Trailing Edge
Angle
Body Material
Body
Length of Body
Diameter of
Body
Fairing Material
Length of
Fairing
Diameter of
Fairing
Body Drag
Coefficient
Project Lead The Way, Inc.
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GTT – Unit 4 – Lesson 3 – Project 4.3.2 – Rocket Into Space – Page 5
Material
Nose Cone
Shape
Length
Diameter
Drag Coefficient
Recovery
System
Maximum Test Height
Obtained
Length (Time) of Flight
Maximum Speed
Obtained during Flight
Conclusion
.
1. What tweaks did you make after the first launch, and why?
2. What tweaks did you make after the second launch, and why?
3. Why was the maximum velocity significant? Hint: Think of Newton’s second law.
4. Why was the time of flight significant?
5. What must a rocket overcome in order to reach orbit?
6. What is the force created by a rocket called?
Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Copyright 2011
GTT – Unit 4 – Lesson 3 – Project 4.3.2 – Rocket Into Space – Page 6