Flying rockets require the use of lighting a fuel-based substance on fire to launch a fairly sharp object into the sky. From first glance, model rockets may bring the question of safety into your mind. Don’t let this first image deter you as building and flying model rockets can be an incredibly enjoyable and safe activity. So are model rockets safe?

By following safety protocols designed by the National Association of Rocketry (NAR), model rockets are safe to use. The key to safe model rocket use is ensuring proper rocket construction, correct power use, appropriate environmental conditions, and heightened awareness on a launch site.

As model rocketry has grown in popularity, so has the attention to safe practices. The materials used in building rockets, the standards and code of behaviors, and the requirement of certification for high powered rockets have progressed and are continually updated over time to ensure the hobby remains fun and safe for all levels of user.

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Are you still using the standard Estes controllers for your launches?

We just built our own beautiful launch controllers that make launches SO much more fun, and we documented EVERY single step and item purchased and put it into a step-by-step course that teaches you how to do the exact same thing.

Click here to learn more about how you can build your own launch controllers!

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How Safe Are Model Rockets?

Advances in model rocket technology as well as greater awareness and focus on adhering to safety practices have made model rockets a fun and safe activity. As a comparison, flying model airplanes can be much more dangerous. The engines used in rockets are much safer than their equivalent in airplane fuel. The propeller on a model airplane moves much faster than a rocket, which could lead to possible dangers.

Model rockets are safe when the user takes the time and effort to understand safety precautions and carries them out throughout the rocket building and launching process.

Statistics

The NAR Safety Committee has compiled data on rocket sport safety, which includes all levels of amateur rockets. Some of these rockets can be quite large in size in addition to the smaller model rockets that beginners use. Given this, much of the accident data includes bigger rockets. These pose greater risk than smaller ones, making these results appear more unsafe than they would be for your beginner user.

After examining 6,169 flights, there was an 8.5% average flight failure. This is a very low number which includes the larger rockets. You can expect this to be even lower for small rockets. 75% of these accidents were related to the recovery system, making proper assembly and materials crucial for safe return of rocket.

D through G level engines were most likely to experience problems (C level and below are recommended for beginners).

The most common model rocket accidents:

• Recovery failure resulting in damage to rocket or colliding with foreign object
• Instability in launch phase leading to misfires or dangerous angles of flight

This data is helpful in recording safety findings, but is not substantial enough to rely on solely. The problem comes down to reporting, where data is not measured sufficiently. There is no strong statistical evidence to conduct legitimate risk analysis.

The NAR aims to continue building empirical evidence and encouraging users to report incidents so accurate records can be kept. This will help form more accurate conclusions about rocket safety and encourage proper precautions to be taken.

NAR Safety Code

The NAR Model Rocket Safety Code is the single most effective guideline to ensure safe model rocketry. While it is dependent on individuals adhering to the code voluntarily, its existence has had positive impacts on the safety of model rockets.

The code covers almost all areas you should be aware of in keeping your rocket experience safe, from construction to launch to recovering your rocket. Here are some of the most important parts covered in the code. Later on, you’ll see specific steps you can take to adhere to these and keep your flights fun and safe.

The code states:

• Materials: Should only be lightweight and no use of metal on outer body
• Motors: Must be commercially made and cannot be altered with or used for other purposes
• Launch Safety: Make sure everyone is aware that a launch is about to take place by counting down out loud and maintain safe distance from rocket
• Launcher: Must use launch pad and rail/rod system to ensure upward flight. Must be above eye level for eye safety.
• Size: Cannot exceed 53 ounces at lift off and cannot contain more than 4.4 ounces of propellant or 320 Newton-seconds of total impulse
• Flight Safety: No explosives in rocket and steer clear of objects in sky
• Launch Site: Must be outdoors in an open area
• Recovery System: Use a recovery system for safe landing. Wadding system must be fire proof.
• Recovery safety: Do not retrieve rockets from powerlines and dangerous places

Adhering to these guidelines has cut down on accidents related to operating and retrieving model rockets.

What You Can Do to Stay Safe

While the NAR code gives you instructions on how to avoid many of the problems that may arise when flying a model rocket, there are many concrete steps you should take to ensure safe flying.

Material Safety

The first topic mentioned in the code relates to materials. Using the correct materials is necessary for successful flying as well as making sure these materials are constructed properly within the rocket.

Proper Materials

Model rockets, especially low to mid power ones, should be made with lightweight materials. This is both for performance and safety. Heavy materials will create drag on the rocket and make their speed slower after launch. Lightweight materials are able to glide through the air much more easily. For safety, lightweight materials cause less damage upon return if the recovery system fails.

Materials for high performance and safety:

• Cardboards: Often used for the body tube of rocket
• Plastics: Can be used for nosecone and fins on many entry-level rockets
• Balsa wood: Lightweight and strong wood that is commonly used for fins and nosecone

Thicker woods and materials may be used as you work your way into high powered rockets, but these are the most common materials for amateur and beginning rocketeers.

All of these materials are used successfully on low to mid power rockets that are able to reach high altitudes and return safely for continued rocket use.

Proper Construction

Using the correct materials is the first step in material safety, but putting them together correctly is also important. Making sure your rocket is stable and secure will allow for a high-performance rocket that is safe to use.

• Fins: Significant contributors to stability in a rocket. There is a correlation between fin accuracy and placement and the performance of a rocket. Properly securing the fins will lead to flights that are straight and predictable.
• Launch lug: Make sure these are secure on the rocket. Launch lugs are responsible for connecting the rocket to the launch pad rods and rails. These make sure the rocket will launch in an upward direction to prevent accidents in low flight paths.
• Shock cords: These connect to the parachute and nosecone to ensure proper recovery. Make sure the shock cords are securely fastened to the nosecone and inside of body tube. If this is not secure, the recovery system will not be effective.
• Nosecone: The nosecone must be secure, but not too tight. If it cannot release from the rocket, it will maintain its ballistic flight path at high speed and engine may release rather than the recovery system.

We will dive deeper into the specifics of the recovery system later and the steps you will need to take to ensure safe rocket landing.

Use Wadding

What is Wadding?

The general definition of wadding is a soft, yet thick material used to protect fragile items. It usually has a wool-like or fleece texture. This definition is very close to the materials used in model rockets. Wadding is used to prevent engine material and heat from destroying the recovery system that is made of plastic. It not only blocks small burning pieces, but acts as insulation to prevent heat from melting the parachute or other plastic recovery method.

It is a thick, tissue paper-like material, but is chemically treated to make it fire resistant. It is easily malleable, allowing it to fit snuggly in varying rocket sizes.

To use, take multiple sheets of wadding and crumble them into balls. Place them in between the engine and the parachute. Packages of model rocket wadding typically last for upwards of 25 flights.

Types of Wadding

Not all wadding is alike. While traditional wadding used since the invention of model rockets resembles these tissues, there are other popular forms.

• Tissue wadding: Used since the early 1960s, this is similar to toilet-paper as mentioned above. It is doused in flameproof chemicals to keep the burning particles from damaging the rocket.
• Cellulose fiber: This is the most widely used wadding and is often times referred to as “dog barf” (mostly because it closely resembles it). This is insulation that you can find at any hardware store. It is made of paper fiber and a fire retardant. It is often used as insulation in your home. It is a cheaper alternative to tissue wadding.
• Nomex/Kevlar Heat Shields: These are fire-resistant materials that are often used in professions related to fire risk (firefighters, race car drivers, astronauts, military personnel). This can be more expensive, but is reusable if not damaged.
• Ejection baffle: Replaces the need for wadding with a mechanical device that traps burning particles. It is also able to slow down hot gases, allowing them to cool. This is an alternative to wadding and eliminates the need to replace after each launch. This is best suited for larger rockets that may require more wadding or if you use a rocket at a high rate.

Ineffective Wadding Alternatives

Users are often looking for alternatives for cost as well as availability. Some people have tissue materials laying around their house and decide to use it out of convenience. Some of these materials can be dangerous!

• Kleenex: While it has the same consistency as tissue wadding, it is easily flammable. It may be able to block some of the heat to prevent melting, but burning particles put this material at risk for fires.
• Cotton balls: These increase the insulation qualities of preventing heat compared to tissue, but are similarly flammable.
• Newspaper: This is incredibly flammable with the chemicals and ink present in the paper. This puts your recovery system in danger for both heat and fire exposure.
• Paper Towel: Without any fire retardant, paper towel is very flammable and could pose risks to the recovery system.
• Grass/Lettuce: This is a creative alternative because it is damp and will be unlikely to start a fire. There is little insulation with this alternative and if the material is in anyway dry it could cause fire risks.

Sticking with the acceptable forms of wadding (even if it may be slightly more expensive or inconvenient) is the safest bet that will preserve your rocket and prevent damage to people or objects upon landing. For further reading on this topic, see our post on Model Rocket Wadding Alternatives: Pre-Made and DIY Solutions.

Use Proper Engines

Model rocket engines are safe to use thanks to the advances in technology since the early days of model rocketry. Single-use manufactured engines are safe alternatives (and required) to the days of individuals mixing fuels themselves.

Steps for Safe Engine Use  

Follow these guidelines to ensure proper engine use:

• Always use manufactured rocket engines: Trying to create your own or using a motor that is not designed for a rocket may lead to performance failures and pose risks of misfires, engines releasing mid-flight, or loss of rocket.
• Never tamper or modify engine: Any sign of heat could trigger an engine to ignite. Tools used to change the motor may be mistaken for a heat source and set off the engine a little too close to you.
• Use a manageable size: For beginners, stick with a level C motor or lower. Very powerful rockets may get lost in the sky and be difficult to retrieve. If you lose sight of the rocket and a recovery malfunction occurs, this can be incredibly dangerous and collision may occur.

Engine Sizes

Engines range in size based on performance and power. They are categorized by letter, starting with the least powerful “A” and ascending in letter as well as power. Each letter has double the power of the previous. This is a measure of “total impulse” and Newtons are used as the measurement unit.  

• Engines A – D: Low power (Can be used by anyone)
• Engines E – G: Mid power (Some F and G engines require certification)
• Engines H – O: High power (Require certifications to use)

Your specific model rocket will suggest engines that are appropriate. Use the suggested engines for safety and to ensure a successful flight.

Engines are the most dangerous part of the rocket because they are what causes the potential hazards related to combustion and fire. Minimizing these risks with proper use and size will prevent other issues from being exacerbated by excessive power and force.

Recovery System Safety

When there are no obstacles in the way, launching a rocket into the air is a very safe activity. The risks of danger become greater when the rocket stops its ascension and heads back toward the ground. If left to its own devices, the rocket would coast and eventually descend at high speed back toward the ground with a sharp nosecone. This would pose incredibly risk to humans and objects on the ground. Thanks to the recovery system in rockets, this problem can be avoided.

How the Recovery System Works

After the engine burns completely in the rocket, an ejection charge is released to prepare for the rocket to descend. This ejection charge produces a pressurized gas that releases the nosecone and ejects the parachute or similar recovery system device. The nosecone is connected to the parachute and all are connected by a shock cord to keep all the parts together during recovery.

If this successfully ejects, the rocket should make its way back to ground at a slow pace and within the desired launch area.

Tips to Ensure Successful Recovery

By following these procedures, you will increase the likelihood of successful recovery drastically:

• Use effective wadding: Without it, your plastic parachute or other recovery method can melt and will be ineffective after ejection charge.
• Properly insert parachute: After every use, you will need to reinsert the parachute into the rocket for the next flight. It will become a problem if the parachute is not placed inside carefully. You must ensure that the parachute lines do not tangle or wrap around the parachute, which will delay or prevent release. Fold the parachute smoothly for quick release.

Launch Site Procedures

Now that you’ve properly selected all necessary materials and constructed them safely, there are important precautions you should take to ensure safety on the launch site. Rockets are powerful and they can easily present problems if not handled with care.

Safety Practices for Launching

When at the launch site, you must be vigilant to ensure safety for yourself and your surroundings. This includes the site itself, materials, the presence of other people, and what to do in the event of an accident.

Launch Day Conditions

It is crucial that the site’s conditions are conducive for flying your rocket. You should consider multiple things before launching your rocket:

• Clear Skies: Are there high levels of visibility? If I launch my rocket, will I be able to keep track of it before it descends? If yes, then it should be safe to launch. Do not launch into clouds as they interfere with visibility. For related reading see our article on Can You Launch a Model Rocket in the Rain?
• Wind: High levels of wind can take your rocket out of your desired launch area, increase chances of accidents, and potentially result in loss of your rocket. According to NAR, do not fly if winds exceed over 20 MPH. Wind direction is also important. Put spectators and yourself in the crosswind to avoid collisions. For more reading on this subject see our article on Maximum Wind Speed for Model Rocket Launch.
• Obstructions: Avoid powerlines and airplanes when launching your rocket. This will not only destroy your rocket but can pose great risk for fires and other damage related to collisions.

Launch Environment and Space

Launching a rocket should always occur outdoors in an open space. Many people choose to do this in an open field. Be sure there is no dry grass close to your launch pad that could create risk for a grass fire.

According to the NAR safety code, there are specific distances you should give for launch site and distance from people and obstructions. These are dependent on the power of the motor.

Motor Type	Site Space (Feet)	Safe Distance (Feet)
A	100	15
B	200	15
C	400	15
D	500	15
E	1,000	30
F	1,000	30
G	1,500	40

A good rule of thumb is to find a large enough open space that is at least half as long at the maximum height of the rocket once launched. Higher powered motors require more space for the launch site as well as distance away from things and people that could potentially be injured.

If you are with a group of people, make sure they are all at a safe distance and aware of their surroundings at all times. Counting down before launch is crucial so that all people are aware that the object will be in the air and coming down shortly after. Have every individual keep an eye on the rocket once it is launched so they can prepare for its landing in case something goes wrong.

Rocket Checklist

Before you launch, you should check your rocket and launch area to make sure everything looks secure and is ready for takeoff.

Take the time to look at these areas to ensure safety throughout the entire flight experience:

1. Rods and rails are secure: Make sure the launch pad holds the rods securely and that they are strong enough to support your rocket. This is the main way that the rocket is able to maintain stability during launch. If these are loose, it could cause the rocket to shoot off in an undesirable direction (which is anything but up).
2. Launch Pad Orientation: Make sure the launch pad is faced away from people and objects in case of misdirected launch.
3. Nosecone tightness: Make sure the nosecone is secure but not too tight. If it does not release during the ejection charge, it will blow the engine out of the rocket and not release the recovery system. This may bring the rocket to the ground at dangerous speeds.
4. Wadding is installed: Make sure you have enough wadding during each flight to protect the recovery system
5. Clip igniters to launch controller: Make sure no metal is touching and that the safety lock is on the controller until ready for launch
6. Step as far away as possible: Stand as far from the rocket as the launch controller cord will let you to prevent accidents that may occur up close.

If an Accident Occurs

If you have taken the proper safety precautions and properly constructed your rocket, you should not run into many problems. It is always in your best interest to know what to do if an accident or malfunction occurs.

Here are some scenarios that can occur and what you should do:

• If a person has been hit by a rocket, seek immediate medical attention. Call appropriate medical teams and try to help the person.

• If a rocket becomes caught in a power line, stuck in a tall tree, or left in a dangerous place, do not retrieve it. The loss of the rocket is much less serious than the risk you could put yourself at by trying to save it.

• If a misfire occurs and the rocket does not launch, do not approach the rocket. First engage the launcher safety lock or unplug the battery to stop electrical pulse. Then wait at least a minute after the last launch attempt before approaching the rocket.

Finally, if an accident does occur, you should take note of the incident for your own learning and report it to the National Association of Rocketry. The only way to gain helpful insight and collect data is through reporting. While it may seem embarrassing, it is helpful to improve safety standards and make model rockets safer to use.

Sharing your experiences will help educate other rocket users and prevent similar accidents or malfunctions from happening to many who could do the same thing.

Model Rockets are Safe

With any activity that involves a combustible device for operation, there will be risks. This article is meant to inform you of the risks you put yourself at if you do not follow very easy to follow safety procedures.

Taking the time to follow these procedures and stay alert when using a model rocket makes flying model rockets a safe and fun activity. Making these procedures a part of your rocket building process is an easy way to ensure you are operating the rocket to the best of its abilities. Full performance means safe performance as all the components are operating properly and you will be able to use your rocket over and over!

Build Your Own Launch Controller

Don’t forget! You can ditch the stock controllers and confidently build your own from scratch using our step-by-step instructions and exact materials list! We promise this will make your launch experience 10x better, and using our course License to Launch you can be 100% confident you’ll be able to finish this project and be super proud of what you’ve built! Here’s a sneak peek below.

An unsuccessful model rocket launch can be a huge disappointment to the owner of the rocket. On the other hand, the results of a CATO can be pretty spectacular.

I’ve compiled a list of 30 epic model rocket CATOs that the owners were lucky enough to catch on video.

Be ready to laugh and gasp in surprise at the unexpected twists, turns, and dives these rocket videos will take.

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Are you still using the standard Estes controllers for your launches?

We just built our own beautiful launch controllers that make launches SO much more fun, and we documented EVERY single step and item purchased and put it into a step-by-step course that teaches you how to do the exact same thing.

Click here to learn more about how you can build your own launch controllers!

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30 Epic Model Rocket CATO’s

A CATO is another term for a catastrophic failure of a model rocket, and in particular the model rocket’s motor. The term is often used more loosely to describe any failure of a model rocket’s flight that results in a catastrophe. There is some debate as to whether it is an acronym standing for “catastrophic at take off” or if it is simply a shorter way of saying catastrophe.

CATOs can be caused by using old or poorly stored model rocket engines, the engine flying off the model rocket, misusing a reloadable kit, or building an experimental rocket engine incorrectly. Sometimes a CATO is just plain bad luck.

3…2…1… Launch! Get ready to watch some amazing CATOs in the list below!

1. Epic Pinwheel of Fire at LDRS

The custom model rocket dubbed Epic Rocket by the videographer’s son featured in this video has three H motors in the fin tips and a J in the bottom of the rocket’s body. This poor model rocket fails spectacularly and powerfully.

This video was taken at the annual rocketry even called the LDRS, which stands for Large Dangerous Rocket Ship. It probably wasn’t the only CATO that day.

2. Epic CATO of an EZI-65 54mm CTI L-265 at Tripoli Fort Myers

The model rocket in this video was the EZI-65 with a L265. This launch video features data on the speeds and altitude of the rocket as it soared through the air, until it failed that is.

3. Epic Rocket Spiral

This video has all the qualities of a good model rocket CATO video – smoke, sparks, and flames. The first rocket barely makes it off the launcher before it spirals back in a cloud of smoke.

4. v2 rocket cato

This is truly a funny CATO. Around second 54 the rocket pops slightly off the launcher and loses its engines, and then – wait for it – the recovery system is activated. Poor guy. It would have been awesome if it flew.

5. Iris 2-stage rocket – Booster Cato

Wow. This is a serious rocket with some real power. Unfortunately, some of the motors CATOed shortly after launch, but the very prepared owner was able to stop the second stage motors from firing and deploy the parachute so it could land without getting hurt.

6. P rocket cato

“3…2…1… initiate!” they say, but watch out for sudden disassembly. This rocket is destroyed with a loud boom moments after is launches. It falls down in pieces.

7. Rocket motor CATO

The Aerotech G64-7W fails spectacularly very soon after launch in this video. In a cloud of smoke, it stops suddenly in the air before falling to the ground. At least the parachute helped soften its fall.

8. Estes CATO launches

Okay, so this video doesn’t actually feature a CATO technically speaking, but how could I not include a rocket that is named CATO?

This video is a rare recording of the Estes CATO, a model rocket that is designed to fall apart after launch. The CATO lovers out there can get their kicks with this model rocket.

The Estes CATO is a classic “gag” rocket and has been out of production since the 90’s. It is getting very difficult to find secondhand and people are willing to pay a good amount for one in good condition.

In this video you get to see it launch, and fall to pieces, twice.

9. DoubleSShot BPS rocket motor test, 5,000+ pounds of thrust and CATO

After some pictures of the construction of this massive motor, they get to the point – the explosion. The videographer warns everyone to get under cover, and I don’t think there is a person there who regrets it.

The explosion in this video was recorded from several different angles so you get to appreciate it over and over again from a new perspective. The still photos at the end are just as cool.

10. 150 mm (6″) sugar rocket CATO

The launch in this video takes place in the Mojave Desert at the Friends of Amateur Rocketry test facility. The motor of this rocket failed at the bulkhead which caused a massive CATO. Debris falls down all around the spectators, much to their delight.

11. Quad Runner and Motor CATO

One of the motors on the Quad Runner CATOs, but the rocket still manages to launch and land safely. This video is unique because it offers a slow motion view of the CATO and a deep explanation of what you are seeing happen.

Stick around until the end to get all of the details on what you’re actually seeing happen in this video.

12. kno3 model rocket epic failed

This backyard launch of a kno3 model rocket couldn’t be more of a fail. The rocket fizzles up about three feet into the air before spiraling to the ground in a cloud of smoke. Sometimes you just have to laugh.

13. N class rocket motor CATO

All I can say is thank goodness this thing wasn’t attached to an actual rocket. The flames coming out of this experimental rocket motor are intense.

The video maker says this is an N class motor, which means it has a total impulse of 10,240.01–20,560. To put this in perspective, the highest powered motor you can buy in the United States without getting a certification is a G level which has a total impulse of 80.01–160.

14. Estes E9-6 Rocket Motor Failure CATO

This video shows the failure of the Estes E9-6 model rocket motor. The video maker shows the motor casing at the beginning of the video and how to motor blew out both ends.

The launch is a sad one. The rocket doesn’t even make it off the rod before it plops back down among the smoke of its CATOing motor, and the spectators are not amused.

15. Just another rocket cato

This rocket makes it pretty high before the motor CATOs, and it is sent back to the ground with flames shooting out of the motor. While the people look like they are pretty close, the video maker assures viewers in the comments that they were a couple hundred yards away.

I imagine if they were that close, they’d be running for cover!

16. Epic Big Daddy Rocket Fail

This a close up look at the Estes Big Daddy’s motor as it fails, and it displays this failure to you in slow motion. The base of the rocket stays on the rod while the top shoots off and quickly lands on the ground and the launcher topples over. A bit of a fail all around.

According to the person who posted the video the rocket motor was 30 years old. Maybe not the best idea to use a motor that’s been sitting around for that long.

17. Rocket launch ending in CATO

This is another desert launch gone wrong. The rocket was powered by an M motor. The total impulse on an M motor is 5,120.01–10,240, and it requires a Level 3 Certification from the NAR.

This model rocket starts with a powerful launch, but it is soon sent into a spiral and then breaks into several pieces with a burst. The clouds of smoke are clear against that endless blue sky.

18. Estes Big Daddy Rocket on C6-5 engines… Failing

This is another Estes Big Daddy failure, and while not exactly a CATO, it is too funny not to include. The rocket’s owner didn’t have any of the proper motors for this rocket, which would be any of these: C11-3, D12-3, D12-5, E9-6, E12-6. The C11-3 is recommended for the first launch.

Well, he used a C6-5. The lower average thrust of the C6-5 is not enough to carry the rocket very far. The model rocket soon dives the ground where it sticks nose first in the grass like a lawn dart.

19. Estes Magnum CATO

This video’s alternate title could be “when boosters go wrong”. The video maker used a C11-0 booster in his Estes Magnum, but the booster blew up and ignited the upper stage motor, which then lit the tube on fire. The rocket was destroyed, but in good news, no one was hurt as proper safety precautions were taken.

20. Nest Rocket CATO on the Pad

This is one seriously cool looking model rocket. I mean, it takes two people to carry it across the field!

Unfortunately, the M2080 Skidmark motor over-pressurized and caused the top of the rocket to shoot off without the bottom ever leaving the rod.

At the end, the sparkles meant to make the rocket look impressive as it soared through the sky, burned out on the ground. It still looked pretty cool on the ground at least.

21. Clucker Duck CATO

Make sure you watch this one with the sound on! The rocket shoots off the launcher, but soon finds itself veering off to the side, and off screen, instead of shooting straight up.

The story according to comments is that rocket was equipped with an N motor, two L motors, and four K motors. That is a lot of power!

Things went wrong when one of the K motors CATOed. All but two of the K motors fell out, and those two K motors managed to carry the rocket over 2 miles.

22. Rocket Fails from the Black Rock Desert

This video is a compilation of a number of model rocket fails that happened at the Black Rocket Desert, not all of them technically CATOs. The first rocket launches, but you know something is wrong because it veers to the side. You miss some of the action, but it all becomes clear when the rocket lands engulfed in flames on the desert floor.

The second rocket CATO shows the model rocket’s motor shooting out of the rocket and burning out on the ground. Doh!

The third model rocket’s launch seems to be going just fine until you hear the announcer say “uh oh,” and it soon lands to the ground with an audible thud.

The next rocket takes off with a powerful blast, but it is soon coming back down… in pieces.

The last fail of the video features a rocket that only manages a little pop up before sitting back down on its launcher with a comedic effect.

23. Model Rocket Launch AT SEA: Water Landings, Crashes, and Other Misadventures

Launching a model rocket at sea? What an amazing idea. This video showcases a few challenges the rocket owner had in getting his model rocket off the ground.

The owner uses a model ship to tug the model rocket into position. That’s right a little model boat tugs this little model rocket out to sea.

While the model rocket motor does not CATO in these videos, the RV launch system has a few hiccups that cause the launch to result in a fail. The first misfire is caused by RV interference and the rocket launches before the gantry can be lowered.

The second misfire is also caused by RV interference, but it causes the rocket to fire inches away from the crew. Good thing that guy moves his face out of the way moments before it took off!

24. 4 oz lamp rocket CATO

The experimental motor in this rocket CATOs quickly, so quickly you could miss it if you blink. That would be a shame because this little rocket goes out in a ball of fire.

25. Rocket CATO

This CATO features an experimental, or you could say homemade, D class motor. According to videographer, the motor’s superglue plug fails which causes it to shoot out the bottom. Without the motor to propel it forward, the rocket falls from the sky.

26. FAIL Model rocket accident almost! Close call.

This video captures one very close call and is a reminder to us all why model rocket safety is so important. The rocket is equipped with a D12 motor and a second C motor as a booster. It launches and almost immediately begins to spiral uncontrollably.

The rocket comes right back at the owner and sticks nose down into the ground just a few feet from where he was standing, directly behind the barricade keeping people off the launch field. The video ends when the recovery system is activated while the rocket’s nose is still firmly planted in the ground and the rocket pops up at the videographer like the last scare in a horror movie.

27. Rocket CATO

Turn the sound on for a good laugh. This guy is completely nonplussed by the CATO of his rocket. A fireball shoots through the air and the rocket falls to the ground in pieces, and he is serene.

The blast put a dent in the launcher, but the rocket was unharmed. At the end of the video you even get the sweet satisfaction of watching the rocket launch as it should have.

28. snow ranch 12/3/11 high power motor failure

This video is a bit slow to start because it is in super slow motion, but around 32 seconds, the model rocket launches, and the super slow motion allows you to see every detail of the CATO.

The top of the rocket shoots off and the bottom continues to gain some height with flames shooting out of both ends before it falls to the ground. This is an impressive CATO for sure.

29. Homemade Model Rocket Motor Explodes!

Around 3 minutes and 26 seconds, this young man launches a paper towel tube rocket with a homemade, experimental motor. He was just looking to test a motor he was making so he didn’t put much effort into the model rocket. Well, spoiler… the motor explodes. Chunks of the PVC pipe that he used as his motor’s casing were found across the field.

This is a dangerous way to test a motor, but luckily, no one was hurt, and he learned an important lesson. There are lots of good notes in the comments about how to safety test an experimental model rocket motor.

30. Rocket Motors Failures Compilation

This video features several images of experimental motors CATOing one right after the next with no relief. The last experimental motor is by far the most explosive, but a number of them feature some serious close calls. Don’t try this at home folks!

Build Your Own Launch Controller

Don’t forget! You can ditch the stock controllers and confidently build your own from scratch using our step-by-step instructions and exact materials list! We promise this will make your launch experience 10x better, and using our course License to Launch you can be 100% confident you’ll be able to finish this project and be super proud of what you’ve built! Here’s a sneak peek below.

Spin stabilization is one of those topics that comes up as you get into making more advanced model rockets, and it is a fun stabilization method to experiment with. But what is model rocket spin stabilization, and is it worth it?

Spin stabilization works by spinning the rocket very rapidly in flight, creating a gyroscopic effect that resists outside forces that would alter its trajectory. In most cases, spin stabilization will not increase the effectiveness of the model rocket enough to warrant the disadvantages that come along with it.

If you’d like to know more about spin stabilization in model rockets and what the benefits of spin stabilization will cost you, continue reading. I break down how spin stabilization works, the benefits it offers, and the disadvantages it has below.

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Model Rocket Stabilization

To say that having a stable rocket on the launching rod is very important is an understatement. Rocket stability is essential. As soon as an unstable rocket leaves the launch rod, it will fly erratically and unpredictably, creating a dangerous situation for yourself and any bystanders.

The stability of any rocket you design must be spot on in order for it to launch successfully and safely. Thankfully building a stable model rocket is not as difficult as the theory that goes into it.

How Model Rocket Stabilization Usually Works

In order to understand how spin stabilization works and to determine if it is a feature worth building into your rocket, you must first understand how model rocket stabilization normally occurs.

Normal model rocket stabilization is achieved by using fins and by putting the center of pressure behind the center of gravity.

Center of Pressure and Center of Gravity

The center of gravity is the average location of the weight of an object, but that doesn’t make a lot of sense to most folks. It is much easier to understand stand in practice. If you’ve ever balanced a ruler or a stick on your finger, then you’ve found the center gravity.

On a model rocket, you can find the center of gravity by balancing it on the edge of a ruler, your finger, or dangling it from a string.

The center of pressure is the average location where pressure is exerted. In a model rocket, it is where the forces of lift and drag will be exerted.

If your model rocket’s center of pressure is in front of the center of gravity, it will not stay that way for long! The rocket will attempt to fly backwards because the center of pressure always wants to be behind the center of gravity.

With the center of pressure behind the center of gravity, you will ensure that your rocket flies nose first, and you can also make use of fins.

You can find the center of pressure mathematically or by using a rocket simulator. Rocket simulators are very accurate at calculating the center of pressure. You could also just play around with the model rocket and test its stabilization using the method below.

Fins

Fins don’t just make the rocket look cool. They are the primary stabilization method used by most model rockets, and they are good at what they do.

If you launched a model rocket without fins, it would fly end over end through the air like in this video where a finless model rocket is tested repeatedly.

Fins allow a model rocket to self adjust using aerodynamic forces and this will keep the rocket stable and pointing in the right direction. You can see how this works in greater detail in this video which simulates how air interacts with the model rocket as it flies through the air.

Essentially, as the bottom of the rocket kicks out of alignment with the rest of the rocket, aerodynamic force will act upon the fin and cause it to shift back into place. This self correction keeps the rocket flying in a straight vertical line.

Testing Stabilization

Testing your if your model rocket is stable is easy. Attach a long and sturdy string or a rope to the model rocket at the center gravity. Then swing the string around your head like a lasso. It can help to record this so that you can observe how the rocket responds.

If the rocket flies straight, the stable. If the rocket does not fly straight, or if it dips up and down or oscillates at all, it is not stable. The center of pressure is not behind the center of gravity.

If the rocket flies backwards or fins first, but its flies straight, then the center of gravity and the center of pressure or probably too close or right on top of each other.

How Does Spin Stabilization Work?

Spin stabilization is when a model rocket is made to spin as it is launched through the air. This spinning motion can increase the stability of the model rocket.

Spin stabilization allows the rocket to fly in a straighter line because a spinning rocket will not react as quickly or as dramatically to aerodynamic disturbances as a non-spinning rocket will (source).

Spin stabilization is most commonly used in bullets and satellites or other things sent on a trajectory in space, but most modern rockets rely on more sophisticated solutions like a gimbaled thrust.

It is important to note that spin stabilization is not enough to keep the rocket on the straight and narrow. Spin stabilization is meant to enhance the stabilization provided through the normal method, not replace it.

In order for spin stabilization to replace a model rocket’s fins, it would have to be spinning extremely fast, in the hundreds if not thousands of revolutions per second.

That being said, carefully designed finless rockets are capable of launching successfully. Korey Kline reportedly did it in 1982 (source). The model rocket did not reach a very high altitude, but the flight was considered successful.

Korey Kline’s finless rocket did spin as it launched, but spin stabilization was not the sole stabilizing feature. The finless rocket used another form of stabilization called drag stabilization which uses the aerodynamic force of drag to stabilize the rocket, which is why it didn’t fly very high.

Just launching a model rocket with a spin will not be enough for it to launch without fins but adding a spin to a rocket has the potential to help keep the rocket straighter.

Disadvantages of Spin Stabilization

Spin stabilization is not a go to stabilization method among model rocket enthusiasts because it isn’t all that effective and spin stabilized rockets will not fly as high as a non-spinning rocket.

Slower Rocket

The first and most important reason that spin stabilization is not widely used to increase the stability of a model rocket is that is slows down the rocket during its flight.

Fin-spun model rockets, or rockets that use alterations to their fins to make the rocket spin, will not fly as high model rockets that do not use spin stabilization.

This is because to set the model rocket in a spin, it actually takes energy and that energy comes from the rocket’s kinetic energy or speed (source).

Additionally, the rocket will be slowed down because the spinning is caused by a lift force, which means there is also an increase in the drag force. Drag is a drag. It it will cause the model rocket to slow down.

A slow flying rocket will not be able to reach the same heights as a model rocket that isn’t spinning.

Parachute Problems

A rocket that is spinning when its parachute emerges could have a problematic landing. Parachute lines can quickly become twisted and tangled in such a way that the recovery system becomes ineffective.

A streamer would likely fare much better unless the rocket continues to spin as it descends, in which case the streamer would probably not flap back and for as much as it spins with the rocket. Streamers create drag by flapping back and forth. This is how the streamer slows down the rocket.

Plenty of rockets that spin during their flight land just fine, but the potential for the recovery system to fail is there. I’d stick with a streamer when experimenting with spin stabilization.

Spin Speed

It is very unlikely that a model rocket would be able to spin fast enough to make such a difference in the flight path that it offsets the other disadvantages of using spin stabilization. When a bullet, for example, is shot from a gun, it spins at thousands of revolutions per second to help it fly straight.

Now the accuracy that a bullet flies is clearly more important than the accuracy of a model rocket, but in order for spin stabilization to work optimally the model rocket would need to spin at a rate in the hundreds of revolutions per second if not more.

The Ideal

A model rocket is at its least stable just as it leaves the launch rod because it no longer has the rod’s guidance and it is still as a relatively low speed.

The ideal time to use spin stabilization would be early in the flight as the model rocket leaves the launch rod so that it can benefit from added stability when it is at its least stable.

Then, ideally, the spin would slow and stop so that the rocket can reach its top speeds without loss of energy or added drag.

Achieving this method is easier said than done, and for a rocket that it is already stable, it may seem like overkill.

The answer is a helical launch tower. NASA has used these to launch some of their rockets, but you can’t just go to the hobby shop and buy a helical launch tower. You would have to custom design one and build it yourself.

Of course, another way to add stability at launch is to use a slightly longer launch rod. This solution is much easier than building a helical launch tower

How to Experiment with Spin Stabilization

Just because spin stabilization is not the ideal way of creating stability in a rocket does not mean that it isn’t fun to experiment with. If you’re looking for a new model rocket feature to experiment with, spin stabilization could be it.

If you want to experiment with spin stabilization, there are some simple ways you can go about launching a rocket that spins all of which require that you modify your model rocket’s fins.

Messing with the fins of a model rocket can cause the rocket to react in an unpredictable way. While these modifications are not advanced level rocketry, this certainly isn’t beginner level stuff either.  Make sure you launch carefully.

Spin tabs

Spin tabs are not usually something you add to a fin. It is a modification you make to the planned for fin. To make a spin tab, you alter the typical fin design so that a narrow portion of the bottom edge of the fin sits at an angle. The amount of angle you put on the fin is up to you, but it doesn’t need to be a lot. This is an area that would be fun to experiment with.

Whether you are custom designing a rocket or you are building from a box kit, the alteration is very similar.

All you need is a hobby knife, wood glue, and a protractor to ensure that the angle on all three fins are exact. It is imperative that each fin is exactly the same as the others.

If the fins are not identical, it could cause the rocket to cone. When a model rocket cones the nose of the rocket rotates in a wide circle and the bottom does not. This will obviously cause an unsuccessful launch.

Here is an easy to follow tutorial available on YouTube. It is by Tim Van Milligan of Apogee components. It is a little old, but still has solid information.

Canted Fins

Normally when affixing fins to a model rocket, you affix them so they sit vertically against the body tube. They stand just as straight as the rocket itself.

When you cant the fins, you affix them to the model rocket at a slight diagonal. You can increase the angle if you’re looking to experiment, but to induce a spin, it is not necessary.

The angle does not need to be huge for it to be effective. The larger the angle, the more drag the model rocket will experience, the slower it will go, the lower it will fly.

To cant the fins, all you need to do is draw a straight line where the fin should go. Put the top of the fin just outside of the top of the line, and the bottom of the fin just outside of the bottom line. Do this for all three fins. This should be enough to make your rocket spin.

Cambered Airfoil

An airfoil simply refers to the shape of the cross section of the fin. Most model rocket kits come with fins that are effective, but easy to manufacture. For top performing fins, it is always recommended that you airfoil, or shape the fins.

A symmetrical airfoil will not create a rotation in the rocket, but if you go with a cambered airfoil, it will cause the rocket to rotate. The cross section of a cambered airfoil looks like a teardrop shape, but one side of the teardrop is wider than the other.

To airfoil your model rocket’s fins all you need is a ruler, a pencil, and sandpaper on a block. It takes a lot of sanding! Here is a video of Tim Van Milligan again making a cambered wing for a model airplane to give you an idea of the process:

Rockets that Spin

There are a couple model rocket kits on the market today that spin when launched. These kits can be a great place to start if you’re just getting into spinning rockets.

The Estes Space Twister (link to check price on Amazon) is an intermediate level model rocket that uses a lip on the long edge of the fin to create a spinning effect. It can reach up to 900 miles high.

The Odd’l Rockets Pipeline is a tube fin rocket that spins! Tube fins are exactly what you might think. Instead of fin three small paper tubes are attached to the model rocket.

Additionally, if you can find them secondhand, these model rocket’s spin as well, and their designs may give you some inspiration for your own.

The Estes Spin Control is a spinning rocket that is equipped with a counter that will count how many times the rocket spins during its flight. How neat is that?

Lastly, the Estes Farside was a three-stage model with three sets of fins that sit off centered of each other.

The Takeaway

Spin stabilization is fun to experiment with, but it is not a practical stability solution. Many people look to spin stabilization to replace the fins in order to reduce drag on their model rocket, but finless flight is very difficult to achieve using spin stabilization alone.

Some might look to spin stabilization to keep their rocket flying straighter, and potentially higher, but this is also not the case as spin stabilization actually slows down the rocket.

If you’re looking for increased stability or less drag, there are more effective ways to achieve it.

Build Your Own Launch Controller

Don’t forget! You can ditch the stock controllers and confidently build your own from scratch using our step-by-step instructions and exact materials list! We promise this will make your launch experience 10x better, and using our course License to Launch you can be 100% confident you’ll be able to finish this project and be super proud of what you’ve built! Here’s a sneak peek below.