What is the primary requirement for materials used in high-power rocket construction?

The primary requirement for materials used in high-power rocket construction is that they must withstand operating stresses and maintain structural integrity. High-power rockets experience significant forces during launch, flight, and recovery, including aerodynamic loads, thermal stresses, and vibrations. Selecting materials that can endure these conditions is critical to ensure the rocket does not fail during its ascent or descent.

Materials chosen for high-power rocketry must also be capable of enduring the temperature fluctuations and pressures associated with rocket flight. Failure to select suitable materials could lead to catastrophic outcomes, such as structural failure or loss of the rocket. Thus, the emphasis is on the performance and reliability of materials under the specific conditions that high-power rockets encounter.