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A rocket exceeds the definition of a model rocket under the National Fire Protection Agency classification NFPA 1122 and becomes a high power rocket under NFPA 1127 if it uses a motor with more than 160 Newton-seconds of total impulse (an"H" motor or larger) or multiple motors that all together exceed 320 Newton-seconds.

A rocket is also considered High Power if it uses a motor with more than 80 Newtons average thrust (see rocket motor coding) or weighs more than 1,500 grams including motor(s). The rocket is also considered High Power if it includes any airframe parts of ductile metal.

High power rockets fall under a different code of regulations than do model rockets. The code is known as National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Code 1127. This is a relatively new code (1995), and so some states have not yet had time to adopt it. You should check your own state's laws before attempting to launch high power rockets.

Most control of model rocketry is on the state and/or local level. 48 states adhere to a common code of regulation for model rocketry known as National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Code 1122. This code defines the power, weight, and other limits to which a rocket must comply in order to be classified as a (relatively unregulated) "model rocket."

The major differences between model and high power rockets are propulsion power and weight. Like model rockets, high power rockets are typically made of safer, non-metallic materials such as cardboard, plastic, and wood; but they use motors in ranges over "G" power and/or weigh more than laws and regulations allow for relatively unrestricted model rockets.

Model rocketry was developed during the "space race" era as an alternative to the amateur rocket activity -- involving metallic airframes and the mixing of dangerous propellants -- that was responsible for injuring and even killing numerous young scientific experimenters.