Rocketry: From Imagination to Liftoff

1. History of Rockets

• Early uses of rockets in ancient civilizations
• Transition from simple rockets to scientific designs
• Key inventors who contributed to progress

2. Modern Rocketry

• Major advancements in 20th–21st century
• Liquid and solid fuel innovations
• Space exploration milestones

3. Fundamentals of Physics

• Basic quantities: mass, force, velocity, acceleration
• Energy, work, and power
• Concepts needed before learning rocket physics

4. The Physics of Rocket Motion

• Forces acting on a rocket (thrust, drag, weight)
• Newton’s laws and their role in motion
• Basic rocket equations
• How rockets accelerate and change direction

5. Rocket Anatomy and Stability

• Major parts: nose cone, body tube, fins, engine
• Centre of Gravity (CG)
• Centre of Pressure (CP)
• Relationship between CG and CP for stable flight

6. Aerodynamics – Part 1

• Lift, drag, and pressure distribution
• Laminar vs turbulent flow
• Effect of rocket shape on airflow
• Impact of atmospheric conditions

7. Aerodynamics – Part 2

• Angle of attack and flow separation
• Ways to reduce drag
• Stability during different flight phases
• How aerodynamic forces change with speed

8. Earth’s Atmosphere and Flight Dynamics

• Layers of the atmosphere
• Temperature and pressure changes with altitude
• How rockets behave during ascent
• Influence of weather and wind

9. Propulsion

• Basic idea of propulsion
• Types of propulsion (solid, liquid, hybrid)
• Combustion and exhaust gases
• Real-life applications in rockets

10. Rocket Nozzles & Thrust Generation

• Purpose of a nozzle
• Converging–diverging nozzle shape
• Thrust equation basics
• Under expanded vs overexpanded nozzles

11. Recovery Systems, Multi-Staging & Rocket Control

• Recovery methods: parachutes, streamers
• Why multi-stage rockets are used
• Basic control surfaces and guidance
• Safe return to ground

12. Testing and Launch Operations

• Pre-launch checks
• Static testing of engines
• Safety procedures
• Steps in a complete launch operation
• Final launch of model Rocket