lcorinth
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Aug 5, 2014
- Messages
- 1,022
- Reaction score
- 46
If you want a rocket to go as fast as possible, you need to make it as light as possible. Also, I've read in many places that more weight will decrease altitude. However, I've also read that a little added weight may decrease velocity during powered flight, but actually increase altitude, due to increased momentum. Playing around with OpenRocket, I've noticed that if I add a little nose weight, the altitude will sometimes increase up to a point, after which the rocket doesn't have enough oomph (that's the scientific term, I believe) to achieve its highest altitude.
So, my question is, if you're going for altitude over speed, how do you find the sweet spot of ideal weight (apart from playing around with it in a simulator)? Is there a mathematical formula for this (I assume there must be)? A rule of thumb? Does the motor matter? I mean, does the ratio differ depending on what motor you use?
Thanks!
So, my question is, if you're going for altitude over speed, how do you find the sweet spot of ideal weight (apart from playing around with it in a simulator)? Is there a mathematical formula for this (I assume there must be)? A rule of thumb? Does the motor matter? I mean, does the ratio differ depending on what motor you use?
Thanks!