Eu estava procurando por um livro semelhante e acabou sendo "Blast-Off", de Bruce Cassiday. Talvez seja o seu livro também?
O texto dentro da aba:
"T minus 10 seconds...9...8..." came the voice. "This is it," Gene Long thought. In 8 more seconds, the Starbound would take off. The other members of the Hillstown High School Science Club were grouped around him, intent on the rocket they had designed and built themselves. "7...6...5..." So much effort had cone into this firing! There had been a team to get together, designs to draw up, fuel to decide upon. When hatred flared up between two members of the team, Gene had gotten them working together again. And now, their reward.... "4..3...2..1.." Gene reached for the red firing button. "Blast Off!" Gene pushed the button....