What should be done if the rocket is equipped with more than one motor?

When a rocket is equipped with more than one motor, igniting all motors simultaneously is critically important for a successful launch and overall safety. This method ensures that the thrust produced is balanced from the onset of the flight, preventing any asymmetrical forces that could lead to instability and potential failure of the rocket. Multiple motors working together create combined thrust that allows the rocket to achieve the desired performance characteristics, including speed and altitude.

Igniting all motors at the same time ensures that the rocket experiences uniform acceleration. Should one motor fail to ignite while the others do, it could lead to an imbalance that may cause the rocket to veer off course or be unable to overcome drag forces effectively. This uniform ignition also exemplifies proper operational protocol as recommended in rocketry safety guidelines, thereby minimizing the risks associated with multiple motor configurations.

While other igniting methods may seem feasible, they do not provide the same level of consistency and safety that simultaneous ignition does, making it essential to follow this protocol when dealing with multi-motor setups in rocketry.