Weekend Project: Soda Bottle Rocket (PDF)

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July 3rd, 2008 2

With a few empty soda bottles and some PVC pipe, you can build a high-performance water rocket. From Make Volume 5 by Steve Lodefink. The basis for this project’s launcher design is the Martinet Launcher PDF

2 thoughts on “Weekend Project: Soda Bottle Rocket (PDF)”

Kevin Wixson says:

July 5th, 2008 at 10:03 pm

I had better luck with the launcher and the launch, but still haven’t gotten a good parachute recovery. I don’t think NOAA (Nose Off At Appogee) is a reliable method at all.

Tips for making the launcher work:

1. use wire for at least one of the stay lines, as the tension on the release dongle usually pulls the launcher over otherwise.

2. bevel the nozzle a bit so it slides easily over the launch tube and o-ring. My dad though of using a broadhead arrow tip on a drill to bore out the bevel. It worked well.

3. coat the inside of the nozzle with petroleum jelly — helps seal the nozzle against the o-ring, even under high pressure.

Check out one day of our launches at :