During the spring of 2022, I worked to expand my experience with rockets by earning my Level 1 High-Power Certification.

Explorator, my first high-power rocket, flew for the first time powered by an Aerotech H165R motor. The flight likely had an apogee of around 1000 ft, although the altimeter recorded over 4000 ft due to some pressure differences. Explorator landed safely, but I was unable to get my certification because the nosecone separated on the way down and fell without a parachute.

I learned a lot from the first attempt. In the following weeks, I set about making an improved version of Explorator with a better-secured payload bay, an insulated motor mount, larger altimeter vent holes, and a stronger parachute system. On May 28, 2022, Explorator vaulted off the pad on its H165R motor and reached an apogee of 919 ft! Despite a parachute snag on the way down, the recovery system eventually fully deployed and the rocket landed perfectly, earning me my certification!