Is the school playground a safe rocket launch site?
Our position, and the 'open space is open space' counterpoint.
Our position
Every rocket lands somewhere. A straw rocket landing on a car is funny; a water rocket landing on a car is a $500 paint-repair bill; a model rocket landing on a car is a lawsuit. Pick a launch site where the worst-case trajectory is grass or an empty field. Talk to the custodian before the first launch.
Other voices
Reputable sources worth reading before you decide. Labels reflect our honest read of each source's general stance, not direct quotes.
NAR launch-site size requirements
Broadly agreesNAR specifies minimum launch areas that are larger than most school playgrounds.
Water / straw rocket smaller footprint
Nuanced / mixedWater and straw rockets do not need the NAR-spec area. School playgrounds or large grass fields usually work. Our rule about cars applies.
Urban school constraints
Pushes backUrban schools without large open areas genuinely struggle. The answer is partner with a park or community center for launch days, not give up on rockets.