Which factor most significantly impacts a rocket's stability during flight?

The stability of a rocket during flight is primarily influenced by the position of the center of gravity (CG). The center of gravity is the point at which the weight of the rocket is balanced. For a rocket to maintain a stable flight path, the CG must be positioned appropriately relative to the center of pressure (CP), which is the point where aerodynamic forces act.

If the center of gravity is too far forward or too far back, the rocket may become unstable and tumble or veer off course. A well-positioned center of gravity contributes to the rocket's ability to resist disturbances during flight and helps it to return to a straight path after being affected by wind or other external factors.

While size, weight distribution, and other characteristics can influence stability to some extent, they do so mainly by affecting the position of the center of gravity relative to the center of pressure. Thus, understanding and correctly positioning the center of gravity is vital for achieving stability in rocket flight.