How this teen sent a homemade rocket soaring to 400m
**How This Teen Sent a Homemade Rocket Soaring to 400 Meters**
*By Dwaipayan Roy | Sep 22, 2025, 08:00 PM*
Eighteen-year-old Zhang Shijie from Hunan province in central China has achieved an impressive milestone by launching a homemade rocket to an altitude of 400 meters. Using inexpensive materials and basic tools, Zhang’s accomplishment is a testament to his ingenuity, dedication, and resourcefulness.
### A Spark Ignited Early
Zhang’s fascination with rocketry began at the age of 14 when he witnessed a live rocket launch alongside his father. Growing up in a humble village setting with limited resources, his passion for aerospace seemed like a distant dream. However, Zhang’s curiosity and determination set him on a different path.
### Education and Self-Learning
Now accepted into the aerospace engineering program at Shenyang Aerospace University, Zhang’s journey is an inspiring example of self-education and perseverance. He honed his skills by watching DIY rocket construction videos and exploring science innovation forums on the internet.
Long Yanjiao, Zhang’s school teacher, noted that the internet was “immensely helpful” in fueling Zhang’s passion, especially given the scarce learning resources available at their village school.
### Ingenious Experimentation
Zhang’s approach to building rockets was highly innovative. He started with a second-hand laptop gifted by his sister to research science and rocketry communities. Initially, he improvised rocket fuel by scraping nitrate from his family’s pigsty. Later, after lessons in school on filtration methods, he transitioned to crafting purer fuel derived from fertilizers.
For the rocket engines, Zhang experimented with affordable and accessible materials such as PVC tubes and cement. Though many early attempts failed, his persistence led to gradual improvements.
### The Breakthrough Launch
On his birthday in June 2023, Zhang invited his father and classmates to witness his first test launch. Despite rain causing an initial failure, he successfully launched the rocket the very next day.
After more than 100 tries, Zhang developed four different engine types, multiple single-stage rockets, and ultimately a two-stage rocket that soared to 400 meters high. His school also supported his project by providing financial assistance of CNY 3,500 (approximately $4300).
### Support and Aspirations
To fund his passion, Zhang sold some of his creations to institutions and used the proceeds to repay loans from classmates. His family remains a steadfast source of support — his father works as a ride-sharing driver, and his mother is employed as a nanny in another city.
Looking ahead, Zhang’s ultimate dream is to “design a real rocket.” He hopes that his formal education in aerospace engineering will help him turn this dream into a reality.
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Zhang Shijie’s story exemplifies how curiosity, self-learning, and resilience can overcome limitations and lead to remarkable achievements. His journey from a rural village to crafting rockets that touch the sky is truly inspiring.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/science/chinese-teen-builds-rocket-from-scrap-materials-reaches-400m-altitude/story
