How to NOT build a two stage model rocket

Summary

So… I don’t usually write blogs mostly because I thought I wasn’t the “blogging type” (whatever that means). Actually, this is my first one. But after what happened during our first two-stage rocket attempt, I figured — yeah, it’s probably worth writing about. If nothing else, maybe someone else can laugh, learn, and avoid making the same mistakes we did.It started off like any good launch day. The rocket was prepped, the team was hyped, someone shouted “start!” (it was me) even though the rocket was somewhere in the shot — if you squint and use your imagination.We began the countdown with full confidence.3… 2… 1… LAUNCH!What followed was… not flight. The rocket lifted maybe a few meters off the pad, sighed like it had second thoughts, and flopped over like a fainting goat. The motor technically fired — just not enough to impress anyone, including the rocket itself.We stood there in silence. Someone clapped. We all laughed.This blog is a mix of that story — and all the other things that went slightly or wildly wrong — wrapped up with actual lessons about what not to do when building a two-stage model rocket. If you're a fellow enthusiast, a curious beginner, or just here for the explosions, welcome aboard.The DreamBefore we talk about Venessa’s (yes, it was a concious decision to name the rocket Venessa) design, problems, and the oh-my-god-what-just-happened moments, let’s take a step back.Why even build a two-stage rocket in the first place?It’s simple—because it’s cool. But also because it’s hard. And that’s exactly what makes it worth doing. Two-stage rockets introduce a whole new layer of complexity compared to single-stage flights. You’re not just launching a rocket anymore—you’re launching a rocket that splits into two mid-air, and both halves need to do what they’re supposed to.This complexity is exactly why we decided to build Venessa, our first two-stage rocket.We weren’t chasing records or altitude this time. The goal was simple: Design, build, and success...