Rocket design is one of the most exciting yet complex areas of engineering. It offers a completely different perspective on how physics behaves in the real world, where theory meets real forces, real materials, and real-world constraints interacting simultaneously.
In rocketry, careful attention must be given to the centre of gravity (CG) and centre of pressure (CP), both of which directly influence flight stability. Multiple subsystems, including stabilisation electronics, stage ignition electronics, and flight computation systems, must also operate reliably under extreme conditions. Alongside these systems, the rocket is constantly influenced by gravity, air pressure, aerodynamic drag, surface roughness, material thickness, weight distribution, and structural strength. Together, these factors define how the rocket performs during flight, making rocketry both technically demanding and deeply engaging.
For most beginners, rocketry begins with model rockets, where the fundamentals of physics, electronics, and fuel ignition chemistry come together in a practical and highly visual way. In many countries, rocketry has evolved into an active ecosystem supported by strong communities, competitions, and hobby-level innovation. However, in India, there is still a noticeable gap in awareness and accessibility within this field. This series aims to document the complete journey of designing a model rocket system while making the learning process more approachable for enthusiasts and beginners alike.
The series covers the entire development process, from initial design concepts and simulations to testing, causes of failures, and iterative improvements. One of the defining aspects of the system is that it will remain open source, allowing readers to freely clone, modify, and build upon the design for personal learning or commercial applications.
The upcoming parts of this series of articles will explore core rocketry concepts in greater detail, including thrust-to-weight ratio, fin shape and sizing, CG and CP, stability margin, aerodynamics, drag, and structural as well as material considerations. The series will also cover several practical aspects involved in designing a stable, efficient, and flight-ready rocket system. Fig. 1 shows the model rocket design simulator.
Note. Readers interested in discussing ideas, sharing designs, or contributing to the development process can connect using the LinkedIn QR code provided below.
The system is currently in the simulation stage, so not all components are required at this time. However, the final components needed for the design are listed in the Bill of Materials Tables 1 and 2.
| Table 1 Rocket Body | |||
| Category | Component | Specification | Recommended Range/Notes |
| Structure | Body tube | 3D-printed body tube or standard market-available part | Diameter and length as per the selected design specifications and part number |
| Structure | Nose cone (dome) | 3D-printed (PLA/PETG) or standard online-store available part | Specifications should match the selected design and best-fit part number obtained during simulation |
| Structure | Fins | Three fins | Fin dimensions and shape as per simulation and stability requirements |
| Structure | Model rocket engine | Estes C6-5/ES1507 rocket engine or custom-designed rocket engine | Select the rocket engine according to the model rocket design requirements |
| Structure | Launch lug | Small tube | Inner diameter: 5mm–8mm, mounted in proper alignment with the rocket body |
| Structure | Nose weight | Steel or lead weight | Adjusted to shift the centre of gravity (CG) forward for better stability |
| Table 2 Rocket Electronics | |||
| Category | Component | Function | Quantity |
| Flight computer | IndusBoard Coin | IndusBoard Coin with stabilisation and flight computer firmware | 1 |
| Fin controller | Servo motor | Micro gear servo motor for model rocket fin control | 3 |
| Power | 3.7V Li-Po battery | Li-Po battery for rocket circuitry power supply | 1 |
| Communication | Telemetry module | Module for remote rocket data transmission | 1 |
| Video | FPV camera | Camera for rocket launch and in-flight video transmission | 1 |
| Altitude sensing | BME280 | Sensor for measuring air pressure, altitude, and temperature around the rocket | 1 |
| Motion sensing | MPU6050 gyro and accelerometer sensor | Sensor for orientation and acceleration data measurement | 1 |
Designing
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