We tried out our new launch pad and launch controller in our first launch of the summer. They both worked, though we have some ideas for improvements:

• The pad could use some way to hold the rocket slightly elevated
• The rubber grommet we used to center the rod in the blast shield isn't sufficiently protected and won't last long unless we do something.
• Wrapping the wires around the bolts on the launch controller is too fussy.
  We should use spade fork connectors instead.
• Hooking up the batteries is a pain.
• We still need to attach the safety key to the wrist strap.

We flew two rockets (both freshly built as as yet undecorated).

Observations/ideas:

• It was hard to keep track of the rockets against the bright sky
  • Painting them might help; black would be good against the sky, or orange or red.
    Blue and green would be bad.
  • Adding something that would puff out when the nose cone popped off might help.
    More corn starch? Toner? Or glitter?
• Even though the fins were attached with the grain running the wrong way on both rockets, none of them broke
• Even though the streamer and nose cone came apart from the body on one, both parts came down ok.