When should stability be assessed for a rocket?

Stability should be assessed whenever the rocket is prepared for flight to ensure safe and reliable operation. This includes not only the design phase but also crucial pre-flight checks that take place before each launch. Each time a rocket is prepared for flight, various factors such as changes in environmental conditions, alterations in the rocket's configuration, or adjustments to the weight distribution can affect its stability. Regular assessments help identify any potential issues that could lead to instability during flight. This proactive approach ensures that any necessary adjustments can be made before the rocket is launched, allowing for a more controlled and predictable flight path.

Assessing stability solely during the design phase does not account for variables encountered in actual flight conditions. Similarly, limiting assessment to just before launch ignores significant factors that might need addressing due to changes made after the initial design. Evaluating stability post-flight is useful for learning, but it does not prevent potential instability from affecting flight performance in subsequent launches. Thus, ongoing assessments of stability throughout the preparation ensure the rocket remains capable of achieving its intended trajectory safely and effectively.