One of the applications that countries use rockets for today is being made ever more present by the North Koreans.  They are developing the transcontinental rocket know as the Tae-Po-Dong 3 (Ratnesar.)  This is a three stage missile that is capable of delivering a nuclear war head.  Besides Military applications, there are many ways an ordinary person can have fun with rockets.

    The most common way an ordinary person use rockets is in the form of fireworks on the fourth of July.  Fireworks were developed by the ancient Chinese.  These fire works are essentially the same as the ancient Chinese versions.  A charge to modified gun powder make the rocket fly, then normal gun powder makes the rocket explode (How a Firework Rocket Works.)

    Another easy way for an ordinary citizen to become involved with rocketry, is to buy an amateur rocket kit.  These kits include every thing that is needed to produce a successful flight with a rocket.  However, a person can create their own rocket out of empty soda bottles.  This method uses water and compressed air to launch the rocket into the air.  This type of rocket is easy to modify, that way the person can experiment and find what works best for them.