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How to Make a Rocket Go Straight

Even amateur rockets require a great deal of precision in construction to fly correctly. Slight imbalances in your rocket's weight distribution or design can profoundly impact the flight trajectory, causing it to veer off course. To address this issue and straighten the flight path of your rocket, you must address both the internal weight balance and the aerodynamics of the exterior.

Instructions

- 1
  Check the alignment of the tail fins. These fins frequently become damaged or bent during landing. Even a slight misalignment can negatively impact the trajectory of the rocket. Verify that the fins are equidistant from one another and that they are level from top to bottom and from side to side.
- 2
  Add weight to the nose of the rocket. Adjust the weight in increments equal to five percent of the total weight of your rocket. Placing additional weight in the nosecone moves the center of gravity of your rocket forward, stabilizing the flight.
- 3
  Create larger tail fins for the rocket if the flight is still unstable. Larger fins place the center of pressure farther toward the rear end of the rocket, which creates a more stable flight. Experiment with different fin sizes to determine the correct balance for your rocket.

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