Model Rocket Stability Analysis — NASA Research Grant Mini-Project

Overview

Built and flight-tested two model rockets as part of an SCSU NASA Research Grant initiative designed to introduce local youth to aerospace engineering fundamentals. My focus was stability analysis and flight testing — ensuring each rocket would fly straight and safely before it ever left the pad.

My Role
Led stability and flight testing for both builds
Assembled and tested the rockets alongside one other student
Verified center of gravity (CG) and center of pressure (CP) relationships to confirm flight stability
Technical Approach

Rocket stability comes down to one core relationship: the center of gravity has to sit ahead of the center of pressure. If it doesn't, the rocket will tumble instead of flying straight.

I used the swing test method to physically locate CG — suspending the rocket and finding its balance point — rather than relying solely on software estimates. This gave a hands-on, verifiable check before committing to a launch.

Key problem solved: After motor installation, the added mass at the rear of the airframe shifted the CG aft, closing the margin between CG and CP and putting stability at risk. I re-ran the swing test post-motor-installation to re-locate the true CG, confirmed the margin was still sufficient, and cleared the rocket for flight.

Outcome
1 successful launch, confirming the stability analysis held under real flight conditions
Demonstrated to participating students how a simple physical test can catch a design issue that's easy to overlook on paper
Skills Demonstrated

Flight stability analysis · CG/CP verification · hands-on testing methodology · hardware troubleshooting under time constraints · STEM communication for youth audiences