What have you learned about the history of rockets and space travel? Write a summary on the blog about something or someone you found interesting and tell why?

I found Joanes de Fontana’s invention interesting because he took the basic idea of a rocket and then added onto it creating a weapon and also a way he could use to defend his ship from enemies attacking.  Something else that I noticed was Robert Goddard successfully launched a rocket using a liquid propellant in 1926 and I think that it is amazing that a man could create something that sophisticated during that time period.

 What will be different on your water rocket than on a “real” rocket and why?

 Although there are many similarities between the two rockets, the NASA rocket has some differences because of what is needed in order for it to function properly. The nose cones are going to be shaped differently because the NASA nose cone causes a much smaller amount of drag than the water rocket will. The payload is definitely required on the NASA rocket because of the Lunar Module but it is not required on the water rocket. Both rockets include propulsion chambers because they both require liquids inside although the liquids and the combustion will be different.

 Write a little on the blog about how to find the Center of Pressure and the Center of Gravity on your rocket and why they are important.

 In order to find the center of pressure on my rocket I will need to cut out a side view of my rocket in cardboard, then I will place that piece of cardboard on a ruler and the spot where it balances evenly on the ruler is the center of pressure on the rocket. In order to find the center of gravity on my rocket I will need to tie a string to the center of my rocket, and it will need to balance evenly in the air.

 Based on what you have learned about rocket design (nose cone &fins) describe what your rocket will look like and why you chose that design on your blog.

 Based on what I have learned, my rocket will include a very skinny and pointy nose cone in order to eliminate as much drag as possible. It will also include pretty large fins at the bottom of the rocket in order for it to stay balanced and still while getting shot upwards into the atmosphere. With those parts included on my rocket I am sure that it will have a high success rate.