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a soda bottle water rocket launch

June 1st, 2010
by Michael

Last week Chris and I facilitated a day of physics, flight, and rocket science for a group of home schoolers. The one thing we wanted to do but didn’t get the chance to was launch a soda bottle water rocket. Aidan really wanted to give it a whirl, so we built a rocket launcher out of PVC pipe. Then we took a two liter soda bottle, added some balsa wood fins and a an athletic cone, and we had ourselves a rocket. The whole thing is powered with water and about 75 to 100 pounds of air pressure delivered with a bicycle tire pump. Check out our launch video.

If this looks cool to you, and you’d like to build one, I found this information useful: GeekDad Soda Bottle Water Rocket. Also, for a cool rocket design, check out this site: Mr. Hayhurst’s Quick and Easy Bottle Rocket. Next time, maybe we’ll try combining two bottles for a 4-liter rocket and add a parachute. That’ll be cool. Aidan and I had a blast with this (literally). It was a nice way to spend a Tuesday afternoon.

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3 responses so far ↓

  • 1 geoff1111 Jun 2, 2010 at 6:52 am

    Great launch! How high do you think it went? Kudos to the cameramom to follow the rocket's trajectory all the way!

  • 2 Christine Jun 2, 2010 at 5:19 pm

    Thanks for the kudos, Geoff! I wasn't sure if I could get it all on camera since it went off so fast, but the video coverage turned out okay (if I do say so myself). You and the family will have to come out for the next launch–get your rockets ready! :-)

  • 3 celeste Jun 2, 2010 at 9:41 pm

    Wow…what inventive minds you guys have. Can hardly wait for the next launch.
    Let me know when it will take place so I can get some good pictures.
    Chris the video was great! Thanks for posting it so we could enjoy seeing it.