Editing Model rocket (section)

==Model rocket recovery methods==
Model and high-power rockets are designed to be safely recovered and flown repeatedly. The most common recovery methods are [[parachute]] and streamer. The parachute is usually blown out by the engine's ejection charge, which pops off the nose cone. The parachute is attached to the nose cone, making it pull the parachute out and make a soft landing.

===Featherweight recovery===

The simplest approach, which is appropriate only for the tiniest of rockets, is to let the rocket flutter back to the ground after ejecting the motor. This is slightly different from tumble recovery, which relies on some system to destabilize the rocket to prevent it from entering a [[ballistic trajectory]] on its way back to Earth.

===Tumble recovery===

Another simple approach appropriate for small rockets — or rockets with a large cross-sectional area — is to have the rocket tumble back to Earth. Any rocket that will enter a stable, ballistic trajectory as it falls is not safe to use with tumble recovery. To prevent this, some such rockets use the ejection charge to slide the engine to the rear of the rocket, moving the center of mass behind the center of pressure and thus making the rocket unstable.

===Nose-blow recovery===

Another very simple recovery technique, used in very early models in the 1950s and occasionally in modern examples, is nose-blow recovery. This is where the ejection charge of the motor ejects the [[nose cone]] of the rocket (usually attached by a [[shock cord]] made of rubber, Kevlar string or another type of cord) from the body tube, destroying the rocket's aerodynamic profile, causing highly increased drag, and reducing the rocket's airspeed to a safe rate for landing. Nose-blow recovery is generally only suitable for very light rockets.

===Parachute/Streamer===
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[[Image:2005-06-25 Parachute caught on wire.jpg|thumb|right|A typical problem with parachute recovery.]]
The parachute/streamer approach is used most often in small model rockets, but can also be used with larger rockets. It uses the ejective force of the motor to deploy, or push out, the parachute or streamer. The parachute is attached to the body either directly, by means of a ripcord, or indirectly, when it's attached to the nose cone, which attached to the body by a ripcord. Typically, a ball or mass of fireproof paper or material, sometimes referred to as recovery wadding, is inserted into the body before the parachute or streamer. This allows the ejection charge to propel the wadding, parachute, and nose cone without damaging the recovery equipment. Air resistance slows the rocket's fall, ending in a smooth, controlled and gentle landing.

===Glide recovery===

In glide recovery, the ejection charge either deploys an [[airfoil]] (wing) or separates a glider from the motor. If properly trimmed, the rocket/glider will enter a spiral glide and return safely.  BnB Rockets "Boost Glider" Is a perfect example of a gliding recovery system.  In some cases, radio-controlled rocket gliders are flown back to the earth by a pilot in much the way as R/C [[model airplane]]s are flown.

Some rockets (typically long thin rockets) are the proper proportions to safely glide to Earth tail-first. These are termed 'backsliders'.

===Helicopter recovery===

The ejection charge, through one of several methods, deploys [[helicopter]]-style blades and the rocket [[Autorotation (helicopter)|autorotates]] back to earth. The helicopter recovery usually happens when the engine's recoil creates pressure, making the nose cone pop out. There are rubber bands connected to the nosecone and three or more blades. The rubber bands pull the blades out and they provide enough drag to soften the landing.
In some rockets, the fins are used as the blades as well. In these, the ejection charge pushes a tube inside that has tabs sticking out of the rocket that hold the fins during launch. Then the tab releases the rubber band-pulled fins than pivot up into helicopter position.

===Propulsive recovery===

A very small number of people have been pursuing [[VTVL|propulsive landing]] to recover their model rockets using active control through [[thrust vectoring]]. The most notable example of this is Joe Barnard's rockets such as "Echo" and the "Scout" series of rockets as part of the BPS.Space project.<ref>{{Cite web |title=BPS.Space |url=https://bps.space/ |access-date=2022-05-04 |website=BPS.Space |language=en}}</ref> In 2022, BPS.Space successfully landed the Scout F Model Rocket with plume impingement throttling.<ref>{{Citation |title=I Landed A Model Rocket Like SpaceX |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SH3lR2GLgT0 |language=en |access-date=2022-08-02}} </ref> In 2023, Teddy Duncker's TTB Aerospace successfully landed the LLL Model Rocket.<ref>{{Citation |title=LLL Landing Test 8 Raw |url=https://youtube.com/shorts/8VP5T2JuvTs |language=en |access-date=2023-06-06}} </ref>