DIY ROCKET LAUNCHER

PVC Tee (no hole) PVC Tee (with hole)

DIY ROCKET LAUNCHER

3 x PVC endcap

1 x cork

3 x 45* PVC elbow

1 x bike tube valve 2 x 2" PVC pipe

5 x 5" PVC pipe

2' vinyl tubing (5/16" )

Soda bottle (not pictured)

How It Works

We are going to build a simple water bottle rocket launcher. The launcher consists of a PVC stand, a tube with a valve to connect the launcher to a bike pump, and a cork which fits inside a soda bottle. When the bottle fills with air, the pressure will push it off the cork and it will launch into the air!

Building the Rocket Launcher

There are a lot of ways to build this type of project! This version uses a simple PVC tripod to hold the rocket.

The core of the launcher is a drilled out cork attached to a bike tube valve and a length of vinyl tubing. This is what we'll use to pump air into the bottle

When the pressure builds up it will force the cork out of the bottle. If there is water in the bottle the air will "push against" the water and launch the bottle into the sky like a rocket.

Materials

All PVC is 1/2" diameter

5 x 5" PVC Schedule 40 2 x 2" PVC Schedule 40 1 x PVC Tee (with hole) 1 x PVC Tee (no hole) 3 x 45* PVC elbow 3 x PVC endcaps 1x cork 1x bike tube valve 2' vinyl tubing (5/16" outer diameter) Soda bottle Cardboard for wings

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5" PVC 45" elbow

PVC tee

2" PVC

5" PVC 2" PVC

45" elbow 5" PVC

PVC tee (with hole)

45" elbow

5" PVC

5" PVC

SAFETY FIRST:

Always wear safety goggles! This project involves pressurizing and launching things. Wear goggles to protect your eyes.

Do not use plastic water bottles. Water bottles are not designed to withstand pressure and will explode with too much air. For pressurized experiments, only use soda or seltzer bottles.

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STEP 1: Assemble the frame We're going to build a simple PVC frame to hold our rocket in place.

Attach 2 lengths of 5" PVC to opposite ends of the pre-drilled PVC Tee

Attach non-drilled Tee and 2 2" PVC lengths to the other end of one of the 5" PVC lengths

Attach 3 45 degree joints to the 2" and 5" PVC ends Attach the remaining 3 5" PVC lengths to the 45 degree joints. Put endcaps on the ends.

STEP 2: Attach the pumping mechanism The pump consists of a cork with a hole in it, a bike valve, a vinyl tube, and a bike pump (not included). Here's how it all comes together!

Press the bike valve into the end of the vinyl tube. It should fit snugly. Type of valve doesn't matter; you can use either Scharder or Presta.

Slide the vinyl tube through the hole and press the other end into the cork. This connection should also be pretty tight! If you need to seal it, wrap it with electrical tape.

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STEP 3: Admire your handiwork Congratulations, you've built the launcher! Time to attach the water bottle

STEP 4: Attach the bottle! Fill your bottle with water no more than 1/3 of the way. This will provide something for the air to push against and will launch your bottle in the air! Flip the whole assembly upside down and press the lip of the bottle into the cork. It should fit snugly .Final assembly should look something like this!

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