Chapter 4. Launch Pads

The launch pad is used to hold the rocket steady and keep it traveling straight for the first moments of flight, before it is traveling fast enough for the fins to work. It also needs to provide a reliable electrical ignition system for starting the rocket motor.

We’ll see two launchers for solid propellant rockets in this chapter. The first is probably the one you will want to build. It’s a single rocket launch pad and launch control system that satisfies the safety requirements for both NAR and Tripoli. We’ll call this one the Mono Launcher, since it launches one rocket at a time. The second launcher is designed for schools or clubs, allowing up to four rockets to be set up at a time. We’ll call this one the Quad Launcher. ...

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