Photos

Rocket club member Tyler Power checks fit of a balsa nose cone to the rocket body payload chamber. The competition flight rocket, when completed, will contain the payload and an altimeter. The entire rocket is recovered by parachute. / (Click for larger image)

Student Gary Branch hands a miniature altimeter to Instructor Tom Tatum. The tiny device measures the altitude achieved by the rocket and is accurate to one foot. Commercially manufactured solid propellant engines are used to power the rockets. / (Click for larger image)

Ryan Wallace, left, and Jacob Young check out rocket data on a computer. Rocket manufacturers provide specialized computer programs to assist modelers in conducting simulated rocket flights. Modelers do not construct their own motors. / (Click for larger image)

James Mitchell, left, and Darrin Craig hold the first of three competition models being built for both test flights and Team America qualification flights. The rockets are built from high strength paper tubing, balsa wood and basswood fin material. / (Click for larger image)

SMHS Rocket Club members hold a scale model of a Patriot missile. They are, from left, Gary Branch, Alex Walker, James Mitchell, Ryan Wallace, Jacob Young, Darrin Craig and Robert Cooper. Not pictured is Tyler Powers. / (Click for larger image)

Alex Walker, left, and Robert Cooper check a test vehicle. A variety of model rockets is used by the club to check rocket stability. All models carry a recovery device, usually a parachute. / (Click for larger image)

Pictured is the rocket made by the SMHS Rocket Club as it takes off from the launch pad. / (Click for larger image)