How does a launch lug work?

How does a launch lug work?

A launch lug is glued to the side of your rocket and keeps the rocket on the rod while it builds up speed. Launch lugs are used to guide your rocket until the rocket has reached a sufficient velocity where the fins take over.

What is a rocket launch rod?

Launch rods provide guidance to model rockets as they leave the launch pad, before they are moving fast enough for the fins to guide the rocket. Launch rods work well for low power rockets, but their flexibility makes them unsuitable for heavier models in the mid-power or high-power range.

What is a lunch lug?

A small vertical tube affixed to the side of a model rocket, which engages with a launch rod to stabilize the rocket’s trajectory in its first few feet of flight.

What is a launch rail?

Launch Rails provide superior guidance for rockets as they accelerate to stable flight speed. Mid and high power rockets should use launch rails to avoid the unpredictability of “rod whip” that can cause rockets to take unsafe trajectories.

What is the highest point a rocket reaches during flight?

apogee
Typically, we desire the ejection to occur right at apogee (the highest point in the trajectory of the rocket). It is at this point the rocket has slowed down to its minimum velocity.

What does the shock cord do?

The shock cord holds the parts of the rocket together after they separate at ejection. The shock cord may be made of an elastic material to help absorb the shock of the separating parts coming to a halt at the ends of the cord, or it could be made from a non-elastic line (in which case it is normally longer).

Why do we use a launch rail?

What is a rocket fin?

Fins are used on smaller rockets to provide this stability and control direction. It works in the same way as placing feathers at the tail of an arrow. The greater drag on the feathers keeps the tail of the arrow at the back so that the point of the arrow travels straight into the wind.