Project 02 · Minimum-diameter rocket · Mach 1 attempt

Needlepoint

A minimum-diameter high-power rocket designed to reach Mach 1 on an H-class motor, carrying onboard flight avionics.

Period: June 2026 — Now
Role: Independent aerospace project
Tools: Rocket simulationFiberglass & epoxy3D printingRecovery testing

Target: Mach 1
Motor: H-class
Airframe: Glassed
Layout: Min-diameter

§ 01

Going fast

In a minimum-diameter rocket the airframe is the same diameter as the motor, which cuts drag to a minimum. Needlepoint is designed to reach Mach 1 on an H-class motor while carrying onboard flight avionics.

§ 02

Build

I 3D printed a custom nose cone and avionics bay, and reinforced the cardboard airframe with fiberglass and epoxy so it can handle the loads of a supersonic flight.

Fig. 02.01Airframe, nose cone, shock cord, and parachute laid out

§ 03

Preflight testing

Before flying, I ran preflight simulations and tested the parachute deployment to check that the recovery system was ready. Everything for the field lives in a labeled range box so nothing gets forgotten.

Fig. 02.02My range box: tape, tools, wire, and a spare chute

Next project · 03

Custom ESP32 Flight Computer