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How to Make a Launch Pad for a Rocket

Launching model rockets has been a favorite hobby for many spacecraft enthusiasts since their introduction to the public in the early 1950s. The rocket launching system includes a rocket, launch controller and a rocket launch pad. A launch pad is the platform used to launch the rocket. It consists of a launch rod to control the launch of the rocket and adjustable positions to control the direction of the liftoff. It is important to use the appropriate launch pad to launch a rocket. However you can build an efficient homemade launch pad yourself.

Things You'll Need

1 metal rod 1/8-inch diameter
1 piece of wooden board or plywood
Saw
Pencil
Drill
1/8-inch drill bit
Construction adhesive or epoxy
Aluminum foil
Tape

Instructions

- 1
  Cut the wooden board for the base of the rocket launch pad. It should be at least 6 inches by 6 inches so the pad is stable enough for the rocket launch.
- 2
  Attach the 1/8 inch drill bit to your power drill. This bit matches the diameter of the metal rod so that the rod slides snugly through the hole. Mark the center of the wood base with a pencil and drill a hole through the mark of the wooden board.
- 3
  Squeeze glue in the hole and slide the rod into the hole. A strong bonding glue like construction adhesives or epoxy is needed to bond the porous surface of wood to non-porous surface of the metal rod. The rod is used to hold your model rocket. Allow the glue to dry completely before launching the rocket.
- 4
  Rip a piece of aluminum foil long and wide enough to cover the base of the launch pad. Place it on top of the base of the pad and wrap the excess foil underneath the launch pad. The foil stops the wooden base from burning after the launch.
- 5
  Wrap tape one to two inches near the bottom of the launch pad base around the rod. The tape prevents the igniters from shorting out on the aluminum foil.

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