How Model Rockets Work Model Rockets are an exciting and fascinating hobby for people of all ages. Some enjoy the construction and painting of the models, while others prefer the operational end of the hobby - launching and recovery.
Most hobbyists enjoy doing both.
The more complex rockets may have several body tubes connected by tube couplers. The heart of the rocket is its engine. It contains a propellant for lift-off and acceleration, tracking smoke for the coasting phase, and an ejection charge to activate the recovery system. This is explained in more detail under Rocket Engine Information . The engine is activated through the use of an electrically controlled igniter.