A fun project that I did with the Confederation College Maker Club that started in Fall 2024, we wanted to create our own model rocket and see if we could get a successful launch. We started with using the OpenRocket software to test out and simulate different designs for rockets. Once we had one that we were happy with, we grabbed a carbon fiber tube that was created in one of the composites classes, 3D printed a nose cone and fins generated by the OpenRocket software, and assembled the rocket, including a parachute, an e-class motor, and wadding.
Our first launch was somewhat successful; however, we had an issue with the body tube detaching from the parachute, which made recovery much more challenging. From that launch, we took the lessons we learned and made a second version in Fall 2025. This version had high-vis tape wrapped around the body tube to illuminate it better, and a better secured body tube on the parachute. This led to a textbook launch and recovery of the rocket and gave the team excitement for doing even more rocket projects in the future.
Skills Used
| Composites | Simulations |
| CAD | 3D Printing |