Core concept
A final inspection must verify the physical rocket, connections, fin security, and documentation before a teacher makes a GO/NO-GO decision.
IED Unit 3 • Lesson 3.13
Flight Readiness Review & Final Design Package
Focus question: What evidence must a rocket show before it is safe and ready for a controlled flight test?
Your lesson guide
Objective
Perform a structured preflight inspection. Verify the rocket still matches the final Fusion revision. Confirm launcher fit, mass, fin security, module retention, and safe external geometry.
Materials
For the online work: a browser and your engineering notebook. Follow the activity’s materials list for any physical build, and get teacher approval before using equipment.
Plan your time
Suggested work block: 45–60 minutes. Physical builds and projects may span several classes; follow your teacher’s schedule.
IED Unit 3 • Lesson 3.13 Learning Studio
Understand the engineering, follow the examples, and document the result
Today's process
Measure mass ≤125 g; verify both detachable interfaces; inspect blunt nose, fins and shell; check unpressurized launch fit; compare CAD revision/BOM and obtain signed teacher decision.
Worked example
A rocket with a loose nose remains NO-GO even if its mass and fin spacing pass. An unchecked criterion must be marked unverified.
01 / Visual lesson
Flight Readiness Review
A final inspection must verify the physical rocket, connections, fin security, and documentation before a teacher makes a GO/NO-GO decision. This diagram is explanatory rather than a tested or dimensioned engineering artifact.
02 / Watch and research
Engineering tutorials and further learning
Fusion workflow review
Apply the useful modeling and assembly techniques to this lesson; sample parts in the tutorial may differ from your rocket.
Open the video on YouTube ↗Expert technical references
Read these Autodesk or NASA learning resources for the relevant design or aerospace fundamentals.
Primary technical reference ↗Additional learning reference ↗Learn independently: read, pause, apply the idea, then record the actual evidence.
03 / Follow the procedure
Guided engineering workflow
Steps for your project
- Measure mass ≤125 g
- verify both detachable interfaces
- inspect blunt nose, fins and shell
- check unpressurized launch fit
- compare CAD revision/BOM and obtain signed teacher decision.
What your result means
A rocket with a loose nose remains NO-GO even if its mass and fin spacing pass. An unchecked criterion must be marked unverified.
Example statements are not actual flight observations or substitute measurements. Use the original requirements and instructor approval.
04 / Independent checks
Review your evidence before submitting
Concept explorer: total finished mass
Not a measurement or GO authorization. For 3.14, only actual flight observations count.
Self-check questions
Can students authorize a pressurized launch?
No. Only the instructor can approve it.
Does an unverified item count as passing?
No. It remains unverified until evidence is collected.
The existing “What to Submit” section below provides exact filenames and required proof.
IED Unit 3 • Lesson 3.13 • Learning Studio
Learn the concepts before completing the assignment
Engineering concept
A safe launch requires a measured physical rocket, revision-matching documentation, sound fins/couplers and the instructor's explicit GO decision.
Today's engineering work
Verify finished mass ≤125 g, detachable modules, secure fins, blunt nose, undamaged shell, unpressurized tube fit and matching 3.11/3.12 documentation; submit signed checklist.
Worked example
A rocket with a loose nose connection is NO-GO even if it meets the mass limit. A student checklist is not authorization for pressurized launch.
01 / Illustrated concept
Flight Readiness & Final Approval
What the diagram means: A safe launch requires a measured physical rocket, revision-matching documentation, sound fins/couplers and the instructor's explicit GO decision. The example values illustrate the principle and do not replace actual teacher-assigned dimensions.
02 / Watch and research
Instructional video and technical resources
Fusion assembly review
Use the relevant modeling or assembly technique; the demonstration project may differ from the rocket assignment.
Watch directly on YouTube ↗Expert references
Use these official Autodesk or NASA guides when the video alone does not explain the underlying workflow.
Primary technical reference ↗Additional learning resource ↗Self-study: identify a key technique, pause the tutorial, apply the operation and verify the result before continuing.
03 / Step-by-step guide
From theory to your own project
Guided task sequence
- Verify finished mass ≤125 g, detachable modules, secure fins, blunt nose, undamaged shell, unpressurized tube fit and matching 3.11/3.12 documentation
- submit signed checklist.
Worked example and verification
A rocket with a loose nose connection is NO-GO even if it meets the mass limit. A student checklist is not authorization for pressurized launch.
Important: Do not substitute illustrative numbers for actual CAD dimensions, real measurements or instructor approvals.
04 / Independent practice
Explore one key parameter
Interactive concept explorer
Illustrative values only; not a completed engineering inspection or teacher authorization.
Check your reasoning
Who can authorize the rocket flight?
The teacher who inspects the rocket and approves the setup.
What happens to an unverified safety requirement?
It remains unverified and cannot be treated as a pass.
Use the lesson's original assignment and “What to Submit” sections below for exact deliverable requirements.
Lesson Overview
What You Are Learning
Learning Targets
- Perform a structured preflight inspection.
- Verify the rocket still matches the final Fusion revision.
- Confirm launcher fit, mass, fin security, module retention, and safe external geometry.
- Compile the final engineering evidence before launch.
Unit 3 Progression
No rocket advances to Lesson 3.14 until it passes this readiness gate.
ComponentsAssembleVerifyFabricateReviseFlight Test
Compressed-Air Rocket Challenge
Project Requirements
These requirements apply throughout Lessons 3.6–3.14.
1/2 in PVC Reference Tube
- The launcher tube outside diameter is 0.840 in (21.34 mm).
- Model the launch tube as a separate grounded Fusion reference component.
- You choose the rocket's internal launch clearance, but the finished rocket must slide freely over the actual PVC tube without binding.
- Before choosing the rocket's internal bore dimension, measure the actual unpressurized classroom launch tube. The 0.840 in (21.34 mm) diameter is the nominal outside-diameter reference, not the target bore size.
- The launcher itself is teacher equipment and is not modified as part of this project.
Modular 3D-Printed Rocket
- The structural rocket body is 3D printed in classroom-approved filament.
- Use at least 3 major printed modules: a lower launch/fin module, a main body module, and a nose/upper module.
- The rocket must have at least 2 removable printed-to-printed interfaces.
- Major printed modules must be disassembled without damaging the parts; permanent adhesive is not allowed between major modules.
Connection Method
- You choose how major modules connect.
- Examples include keyed/slip couplers with retention, twist-lock/bayonet features, screws/inserts, snap-fit features, or another approved method.
- The connection must keep the rocket aligned and secure during handling and flight-readiness checks.
- If a connection uses hardware or a tool, it must still be serviceable without damaging the printed parts.
Laser-Cut Fin Assembly
- Use 3 or 4 identical fins, equally spaced at 120° or 90°.
- Fins are laser-cut from 1/8 in acrylic or plywood.
- Use 3.175 mm as the nominal CAD thickness, then measure the actual stock and use that measurement for the final fin interface.
- Fins must use a repeatable locating feature such as slots, tabs, keyed pockets, or another approved feature. Surface gluing alone is not an acceptable locating method.
- Adhesive may be used to retain the fins after the fit/alignment check is approved.
Lightweight by Design
- Primary body walls should generally be 1.2–2.0 mm thick; 1.6 mm is the recommended target.
- Geometry thicker than 2.5 mm should be limited to local interfaces, couplers, fin mounts, fastener features, or other justified reinforcement.
- Total predicted 3D-printed material should be 100 g or less.
- The finished rocket should have a total mass of 125 g or less before the flight-readiness review.
Build for the Classroom Process
- Every printed component must fit the classroom printer build volume and be designed to print without support material.
- No support material may be required inside the launch bore or any mating interface.
- The nose must be rounded/blunt, and exposed fin corners/edges must be made safe before flight.
- Only the instructor operates, pressurizes, or changes settings on the compressed-air launcher.
No approval = no launch.
The instructor controls the launcher and determines whether a rocket is safe and ready to test. A failed readiness item is a revision opportunity, not permission to bypass the requirement.
Assignment
Complete the Flight Readiness Inspection
Inspect the final physical rocket against the approved CAD and project requirements. Correct any failed item before the flight test.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Identify the final revision: Confirm the physical parts match the final Lesson 3.11 CAD revision and the Lesson 3.12 drawing/BOM.
- Check finished mass: Verify the complete rocket is 125 g or less.
- Check launcher fit: Under instructor supervision and with the launcher unpressurized, verify smooth fit on the 0.840 in / 21.34 mm OD PVC tube.
- Check module retention: Verify both removable printed interfaces are fully engaged and cannot separate during normal handling.
- Check fin security: Confirm all fins are identical, equally spaced, aligned, and securely retained.
- Check external safety: Confirm the nose is blunt/rounded, sharp fin corners have been made safe, and there are no exposed hazards.
- Check structural condition: Look for cracks, delamination, loose hardware, damaged couplers, or other defects.
- Check serviceability: Demonstrate that the major printed modules can still be disassembled without damage after the inspection.
- Review documentation: Confirm the BOM, exploded view, ECR, manufacturing files, prototype evidence, and final CAD all describe the same rocket.
- Receive instructor approval: Only instructor-approved rockets proceed to the pressurized flight test.
Before You Submit
- Rocket matches the final CAD revision.
- Finished mass is within the project limit.
- Launcher fit passes without binding.
- Major modules are secure but still serviceable.
- Fins are secure and aligned.
- No cracks, sharp hazards, or loose hardware remain.
- The final design package is complete.
- Instructor flight approval has been received.
Submission
What to Submit
Submit only the following assignment-specific deliverables in Google Classroom:
Resources
Lesson Resources
IED Unit 3
Return to the Unit 3 lesson map and project sequence.
Introduction to Engineering Design
Return to the IED course hub.
Build your lesson report
Checkpoint: is your evidence ready?
- Check calculations, units, labels, and measurements against the activity requirements.
- Record what actually happened, including unexpected results.
- Explain what you changed and why; attach required drawings, photos, CAD, or code in your classroom assignment.
Submit only the following assignment-specific deliverables in Google Classroom: Signed flight-readiness checklist (one PDF): LastName_FirstName_3_13_Readiness.pdf recording rocket identification/revision, measured mass, unpressurized launch fit, both module-retention checks, fin security, structural condition, and instructor GO/NO-GO decision. Final design package: provide a single organized Google Classroom submission referencing the final .f3d, Lesson 3.12 assembly-drawing PDF/BOM, Lesson 3.11 ECR, manufacturing STL/DXF files, and physical fi
A PDF download is not a submission. Review it, then upload it and any required attachments through your classroom assignment system.