Version 1 of this rocket was built in 2024. I don’t have much documentation for it because it was originally a kit‑based build, not a scratch design. Even though it wasn’t a custom project, it still ended up being one of my most successful early competition rockets.

Despite being my first attempt in that category, the rocket placed 4th in the United States at NARAM 65, which is the national championship for model rocketry. That result gave me the confidence to start designing and engineering my own rockets from scratch in later years.

Version 2 Rocket – Scratch‑Built Composite Design

Version 2 of this rocket represents my first fully scratch‑built competition model. Unlike Version 1, which was a kit, this build required complete engineering from the ground up — structure, materials, aerodynamics, and fabrication.

For this version, I moved away from basic kit components and started working with custom carbon‑fiber and fiberglass parts. This let me design a rocket that was lighter, stronger, and more optimized for performance than anything I had built before.

Engineering + Fabrication

• I designed the airframe and internal structure myself instead of relying on pre‑made parts.

• The body tube and fins were made using carbon‑fiber and fiberglass composites, which required learning new layup techniques and curing methods.

• I had to plan tolerances, reinforcement points, and weight distribution manually since there was no kit to fall back on.

• Every component — nose cone, fins, couplers, bulkheads — was selected or fabricated specifically for this design.

Why Version 2 Matters

This rocket marks the point where I transitioned from “builder” to engineer. Instead of assembling someone else’s design, I created my own flight‑ready vehicle using advanced materials. It pushed my skills in:

• composite fabrication

• structural design

• precision measurement

• aerodynamic planning

• problem‑solving under real constraints

Version 2 set the foundation for all my later rockets and proved I could design and build competitive hardware completely from scratch.