THE RANGE BOX

We recommend assembling a simple range box even if your group always launches “right outside the building”. This gives your students the opportunity to fix fins or replace streamers while on the range - good practice if they find themselves launching with another group or at a regional club event.

The range box simply holds a collection of items that will help you and your students overcome the inevitable challenges that come with launching model rockets. No power tools are required. No exceptional shop skills are required either.

For your first launch keep your supplies simple; your range box should contain tape (masking and clear adhesive), extra streamers or parachutes, an extra nosecone or two, standard drinking straws (these can be used as launch lugs in an emergency), a small pair of “needle nose” pliers, a pair of scissors, a bit of steel wool (in case you need to clean off the launch rod or the ignitor clips), and “gel type” superglue (the “gel type” is easy to apply and sets faster than you can say “wow”).

As you grow more experienced with using model rocketry your range box will grow with the items that your specific needs require. In the section below, we have catalogued the entire contents of a school rocket club’s range box. See anything that looks interesting?