A Guide To: Optimal Altitude

Book excerpt: Steve Ainsworth’s follow-on to Vertical Trajectory Systems, this booklet goes over the physics of rocket flight and how, analytically, to optimize it for maximum altitude. While calculus is not involved, an understanding of Newtonian mechanics at the high school physics level is required to make the best use of the material here. As with Vertical Trajectory Systems, this is not a book for beginners! It will, however, provide an excellent reference for rocketeers as they expand their knowledge in the hobby.