Suborbital Hop

Design a Simple Rocket: Start with a basic command pod, a small fuel tank, and a suitable engine. Ensure you have enough fuel for ascent and a small amount for course correction.

Launchpad Preparation: Place your rocket on the launchpad. Check that all parts are connected correctly and that you have sufficient fuel.

Ascent: Ignite the engine and gradually increase throttle. Aim for a vertical ascent initially.

Pitch Over: Once you reach an altitude of a few kilometers, begin to pitch your rocket over towards the horizon (usually east). Maintain a controlled ascent angle.

Apogee: Continue thrusting until your rocket reaches the desired altitude for a suborbital trajectory. Your apoapsis (highest point of your trajectory) should be above the atmosphere (around 70-100 km).

Cutoff and Coast: Shut down the engine once you've reached your target apoapsis. The rocket will continue to ascend due to inertia.

Deorbit Burn (Optional but Recommended): As your rocket begins to descend from its apoapsis, you can perform a small burn to reduce your horizontal velocity and ensure a safer landing. Aim to burn retrograde (against your direction of travel) when you are near apoapsis.

Re-entry and Landing: As the rocket re-enters the atmosphere, it will slow down due to drag. Deploy parachutes at a safe altitude (typically below 10,000 meters) to ensure a soft landing.