Explore the activities below to learn all about rockets - the different parts of a rocket, how rockets are important for space exploration, and how they've changed throughout history!
Rockets 101 Activity: Rocket Design Challenge Spotlight Story: Rosa Avalos-Warren Story Time and Craft Activity Explore Outside
A rocket is a tall and thin vehicle that is used to carry things into space.
They carry people, supplies, satellites, or other spacecraft like rovers and probes into space.
What the rocket carries into space is called a "payload."
SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket was used to send NASA’s SpaceX Crew-1 to the International Space Station as part of the NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. Astronauts pictured are NASA's Shannon Walker, Victor Glover, and Mike Hopkins, and astronaut Soichi Noguchi of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket lifts off from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station carrying NASA's Mars Science Lab (MSL) spacecraft which included the Curiosity rover.
Arianespace's Ariane 5 rocket with NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope onboard, is seen here at the launch pad, Thursday, December 23, 2021.
This is an annotated illustration of a Saturn V rocket. On the left is an illustration of the outer view of the aircraft, on the right an illustration of the inner view. There are red arrows pointing to different sections. The very top of the rocket is the nose cone. As the rocket widens, the next section is the payload system, immediately followed by the guidance system. The majority of the body which contains the propulsion system. At the very bottom of the rocket are fins which kick out from the rocket's cylindrical body.
This image shows the parts of the rocket, which are called systems. This particular rocket is the Saturn V, which was used to bring Apollo astronauts into space and to the Moon.
Each system plays a very important role in the purpose of the rocket.
In this video, astronaut Christina Koch describes in more detail that different parts of this rocket.
Let's take your Rockets 101 knowledge one step further. Your challenge is to build and test a rocket model that can reach a certain target.
Gather these materials:
a. Fold your paper in half and then half again.
b. Cut the paper along the folds.
c. Take one of the pieces of paper you just cut. Roll it around the straw, using the shorter edge.
Tip: Try not to wrap it too tightly around the straw, but also not too loose.
d. Once the paper is wrapped around the straw, tape the sides down so the paper does not unroll.
a. Pinch the top of your rocket body to make the pointy nose cone of the rocket.
b. Use tape to keep the pointy shape but also to block air from coming out of the top end.
a. Take one of the pieces of paper you cut earlier and fold it to make a point, like pictured.
b. Hold it up to the body of your rocket to measure how long you want your fins to be.
c. Cut the triangle tip off and then cut it at the fold so you end up with two of the same-sized triangles.
d. Tape the fins onto the body of your rocket.
Tip: Put tape onto the fin first, then tape it to the body. Then bend the fin where it's attached and tape the other side to make to stick out from the body.
Now your rocket is ready to blast off!
Be creative! I chose a colander from my kitchen as a "crater" on the Moon!
Did your rocket hit the target?
Can you make your rocket fly further? Did you need more propulsion to get it to your target?
What would happen if you changed something about your rocket - the length or weight of the body or the number of fins or if you added weight to your nose cone?
Change one thing about your rocket and launch it again.
How did this launch differ from the first time you launched?
Spotlight Story
Check out these books from your library to explore stories about rockets, engineering and hard work. Then do the craft activity and create your own rocket story!
by Oliver J. Corwin
(best for ages 4-8)
In this twist on a classic Aesop's Fable, Hare and Tortoise build rocket ships to race to the Moon.
by Brian Floca
(best for ages 4 - 8)
This book tells the story of the flight of Apollo 11, the mission that sent the first people to the Moon. Pay special attention to the description of the Saturn V launch.
By Emeline Lee, illustrated by Alina Chau
(best for ages 6 -11)
Just like her father who is an engineer on the Apollo 11 moon mission, Bonnie goes through the trial and error of designing and building rockets.
Craft Activity
Watch this video to learn how to make a rocket out of a cardboard tube.
Here are some suggestions for exploring rockets in your area.
Rocket launches are happening all the time by NASA and other groups. Depending on where you live, you can watch a rocket launch live and in-person.
If you can't be at the actual launch site, sometimes you can see rockets from miles away.
Check out these websites for dates of upcoming launches.
Launches in Florida
Launches in Virginia
Take your interest in rockets a step further by connecting with a model rocket club at your school or in your area.
With model rocket clubs, you can build and launch rockets together.
The National Association of Rocketry map of clubs in the United States
The American Rocketry Challenge is the world's largest rocket competition for middle school and high school students.
100 finalists will compete against each other for the title of National Champion on Saturday, May 20, 2023 at Great Meadow in The Plains, VA, about 50 miles west of Washington, DC.
Soar Together at Air and Space is made possible by the generous support of Northrop Grumman.
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