What is a "flight card"?

A flight card is a document that provides a comprehensive record of each rocket flight along with its performance metrics. This includes essential details such as the type of rocket being flown, the specifications of the launch, the flight path, altitude reached, recovery method, and any anomalies that occurred during the flight. Keeping detailed records on a flight card is crucial for analyzing flight performance, improving future designs, and ensuring safety protocols are followed. It serves as a valuable tool for both novice and experienced rocketeers, helping them learn from each flight experience to refine their skills and enhance their rockets' future performance.

The other options describe different but distinct elements of rocketry. Records of the rocket’s design refer to blueprints or plans that detail how the rocket is constructed, a checklist used before launch focuses on pre-flight procedures to ensure safety and readiness, and guides for flight recovery procedures are specific instructions for retrieving the rocket after it has landed. In contrast, the flight card encompasses the performance data specific to individual flights, making it an essential document for ongoing rocket flight assessment and improvement.