High School Student Makes Model Rocket That Can Land Vertically, Like A Falcon 9 Booster

A high school student has completed an ambitious project after three years of work: creating a model rocket that lands vertically.

Landing a rocket vertically is a pretty difficult task, being literal rocket science. Just ask SpaceX , who have blown up many a rocket stage in their attempts to land rocket boosters, though sometimes they do land before they explode .

Student Aryan Kapoor began work on his own vertical lander back in August 2021, and finally made a successful landing at the end of May 2024.

"The way this rocket works is different from traditional model rockets," Kapoor explained in a video for his YouTube channel JRD Propulsion . "Instead of using fins for stability, my rockets use thrust vector control. Thrust vector control allows the rocket's engine to pivot around in a gimbal, providing control over the rocket's flight path."

Especially impressive is the fact that the rocket's flight is controlled automatically by software.

"To guide the rocket a flight computer makes all inflight decisions such as steering the rocket and deciding when to ignite the landing motor."

During the first test flight of the rocket in 2023, the onboard barometer incorrectly measured the rocket's altitude. "The rocket performed well in all other aspects and collected valuable data," Kapoor added on his JRD Propulsion website. "Future flights will use only the accelerometer to measure altitude, providing much higher accuracy and precision."

Now, with this fifth attempt, Kapoor has achieved a successful landing.