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Explore rocket science through hands-on construction and local aerospace industry visits. Build and launch rockets, learn about aerodynamics, and visit aerospace companies like Lockheed Martin. Activities include engineering challenges, designing launch systems, and visiting CU Boulder’s aerospace program. The course balances technical skills with real-world applications, offering a comprehensive introduction to rocketry and space exploration.
Day 1
Day 1
The Journey Begins
The Journey Begins
Today, we embarked on an exciting journey—building our very first rockets! Along the way, we learned about rocket motors and the essential safety procedures for launching. While we had hoped to send our rockets soaring, the wind had other plans, making it too risky to launch. Fingers crossed for calmer weather next week! In the meantime, we made the most of our free time by playing euchre.
Day 2
Day 2
Our First Launch!
Our First Launch!
We kicked off the day with our first rocket launches! The wind was still strong, so we had to launch quickly. One of our rockets, powered by a C engine—which delivers 10 newton-seconds of thrust—soared incredibly high but was carried away by the wind. It likely landed somewhere near the athletic center. If you happen to find it, please return it to IC 207! This experience taught us an important lesson: the lighter the rocket, the farther it travels.
After our launch, we began working on our second rockets, which are more complex and capable of reaching even greater heights and speeds. We also had the opportunity to choose our own rocket designs, adding a creative element to the process.
In the afternoon, we had a guest speaker who shared the history of rockets
Days 3-4
Days 3-4
On Tuesday and Wednesday, we finished building our rockets and decorated them with spray paint! We are excited to launch them tomorrow at Fort Lupton CRASH (Colorado Rocket Association Space Hobbyists).
Day 5
Day 5
We traveled to Fort Lupton to launch our rockets. The day started off windy and cold, and we were concerned about losing many of them. Fortunately, we only lost two rockets, while one experienced an engine malfunction at takeoff.
During the event, we met many local rocket enthusiasts who were eager to share their knowledge with us. We also had the chance to watch their rockets take off! A film crew was present, documenting a British aspiring astronaut’s journey—he hopes to go to space one day, and we wish him the best of luck.
After the launch, we returned to campus to continue working on our projects.
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