How to not build a two stage model rocket

a year ago

The author shares their first blog post about a failed two-stage model rocket launch named Venessa.
The rocket lifted only a few meters before flopping over, leading to laughter and learning.
The goal was to design a rocket that could separate mid-flight, not to achieve high performance.
Venessa was built as a learning prototype with simplicity and intentional mistakes in mind.
Propulsion used metal casings and KNDX fuel for reliability, moving away from PVC.
The structure was made from repurposed paper and 3D-printed parts for cost and learning efficiency.
Avionics focused on active stage separation using real-time sensor data and redundant flight computers.
Recovery involved a spring-loaded parachute ejection system for the second stage only.
The first stage was allowed to fall ballistically without a recovery system.

Hasty Briefsbeta