How To Build A Rocket

By Author: Kenny Leones
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One does not need to be a rocket scientist to know how to build a rocket. Of course, we’re not referring to an actual spaceship or missile that anyone can build in the luxury of one’s own home. The next best thing, and just as cool, is putting together a nifty miniature rocket that can actually blast off into the sky right before one’s very eyes.

While there are rocket model kits available in the market, one may also choose to assemble a model rocket of their very own design. It should be noted, however, that rockets are essentially cylindrical in shape, so one should not go too wild with a UFO or Star Wars-like look for their design. An important rule in how to build a rocket; a very simple, aerodynamic design will do the trick. The basic components of the rocket are the cylinder body, the nose cone, three fins, and of course, its engine.

The nose cone must come with a parachute attached behind it, so that the rocket can drop safely back to earth after its flight. In attaching the nose cone to the body of the rocket, the type of glue to use depends on the material ...
... the cone and the body is made of. Wood glue may be used if the rocket is made of cardboard, but it won’t work on plastic, in which case plastic cement should be used.

As mentioned, aerodynamics is an important factor to consider when learning how to build a rocket. To this end, the rocket’s fins must be sleek and smooth to allow easy movement through the air and to keep it from getting weighed down. The fins are usually made out of balsa wood. A template of the fins should be made and placed on the wood to trace it shape, after which the shape is cut out of the wood with a craft knife. The fins are then to be sanded to make them smooth. To attach the fins to the body, again one should use either wood glue on cardboard or plastic cement on plastic.

The engine mount goes at the rocket’s bottom, just below its fins. To attach it, glue must be applied via cotton swab to the engine mount’s exterior to firmly fasten it to the rocket’s body. An ignition system will be needed in order to fire up the rocket for launching. It can be acquired from the same retailer where the engine is bought from.

After assembling the rocket, one can now make it look good by painting it. Even here, aerodynamics still plays a significant part, and applying more than a few light coats of paint will help the rocket travel smoothly in the air. The color of the rocket is entirely up to its builder.

Once one has learned how to build a rocket, the completion of the project can only be followed by the eagerly awaited act of firing it up for launch. It may not be the Apollo, but still, if it flies straight up into the sky, it’s a rocket. There’s a genuine thrill in creating something that can actually shoot up into the heavens. And even if it doesn’t quite reach the stars, it can hold our imagination high enough, perhaps until the day when we finally can.
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