Before we build our own rocket we need to ask – will it be too heavy?

We can estimate the weight and compare it to the kit rockets we've been using.

Thoughts

• Ours weighs at least 2/3 more than the kit. Is this a problem?
  • If so, what could we do about it?
  • If not, how do we know it's not?
• How will this effect the balance?
  • Our nose is slightly lighter, and our fins are significantly heavier.
  • This shifts the balance in the bad direction
• The difference is about evenly split between the nose and the body.

Conclusions

• The total weight isn't necessarily a problem
• The balance shift probably is
• We should probably focus on the fins
  • Each fin is 1.9g paper and ~0.3g glue
  • We could use single paper, cutting the weight to about 0.6g per fin
  • We could use plastic
  • We could use Styrofoam
  • We could use foam core
  • We could use balsa l(like the kits)
• The tubes are not as big of an issue but may still be worth addressing
  • We should sacrifice one of the kit tubes and see how strong they are. We could also disect it.
    • Non-destructive examination by shining a bright light gives...confusing data. It shows sign that they were engineered.
  • We might get away with only two layers (cutting the weight to about 4.4g)
  • Parchment paper might be a good idea (will you just give up!!?!)
  • We might even get away with only a single layer (with a tiny overlap? How would that work? Spiraling!)