Diagnosing Problems • Building Better Rockets • Flying Higher

Real rockets. Real knowledge. Real people.
The Rocket Doctor is your go-to source for high-power rocketry know-how — a newsletter, articles, and video series by Dr. John Heintzelman, President of Tripoli Vegas and founder of StratoForge NV.

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Welcome to The Rocket Doctor

There's a moment every rocketeer knows. The rocket is on the rail, the range is clear, and months of work are about to be tested in a matter of seconds. That's what makes this hobby incredible.

The Rocket Doctor is here to help you build smarter, solve problems, and become a better, safer rocketeer. We'll talk about the wins, the failures, and everything in between — because some of the best lessons come from figuring out what didn't work.

Whether you're prepping for your L1, optimizing a dual-deploy system, or chasing a personal altitude record, you'll find something here.

TRA / NAR
L3 Certified
20+ Years

“If something looks questionable on the ground, it won't magically improve at Mach 1.”

— The Rocket Doctor's Rule

What You'll Get

Diagnosis of the Week

Why rockets fail — and how to prevent it. Real failure analysis, real solutions, real lessons.

Build Lab

Hands-on construction tips, preflight checklists, and the techniques that separate clean builds from "it should be fine."

Rocket Science

What actually happens after liftoff — the physics of flight, stability, drag, and why your sim numbers matter.

Project Spotlight

Follow a build from workbench to launch rail. Construction, electronics, sims, flight prep, and lessons learned.

Beyond the Rocket

The people, clubs, STEM programs, and community that make high-power rocketry something special.

Ask the Rocket Doctor

Your questions, real answers. Construction, recovery, electronics, certification — send it in.

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Latest Articles

Why Rockets Fail

Most rocket failures don't begin when you press the launch button. They start weeks earlier — a rushed assembly, a loose connector, or those four famous words...

5 Things to Check Before Every Flight

A quick rundown of the essentials that can save your rocket — and your day. Recovery, electronics, structure, motor, and simulation.

What Actually Happens After Liftoff?

From ignition to recovery, a lot happens in just a few minutes. We break down each phase of flight and why data and sims matter.

The Rocket Doctor Channel

Why Your Sim Numbers Are Wrong

Coming Soon

Dual Deploy: The Complete Guide

Coming Soon

Inside MIDAS: A 9-Foot HPR Build

Coming Soon

Try the StratoForge Flight Simulator

Run your flight profile before you hit the pad. 721 certified motors, stability analysis, dual-deploy planning, and cert-prep tools — free to use.

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