How to Make a Bottle Rocket
by smallville0628 in Outside > Rockets
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How to Make a Bottle Rocket
It's simpler then it sounds to make a working bottle rocket and doesn't cost you much money. You only need a few materials. Getting the rocket assembled is easy..but getting the parachute to launch is a bit harder.
Get Materials
Two 2 litter soda bottles.
A Garbage bag or plastic bag (for the parachute)
Duct tape
scissors
Cardboard or foam core
A Tennis ball
Dental floss or string
A Garbage bag or plastic bag (for the parachute)
Duct tape
scissors
Cardboard or foam core
A Tennis ball
Dental floss or string
Cut the Bottles
Once you have all your materials get your bottles.
One bottle you're not going to anything to, which will be your bottom bottle that will connect to the launcher.
The other bottle you're going to cut the top so you have the bottom of the bottle.
Put the bottles together (DO NOT TAPE THEM) to make sure they're cut right before you move on.
(The picture is what the bottles should look like after you attach the wings and make the parachute.)
One bottle you're not going to anything to, which will be your bottom bottle that will connect to the launcher.
The other bottle you're going to cut the top so you have the bottom of the bottle.
Put the bottles together (DO NOT TAPE THEM) to make sure they're cut right before you move on.
(The picture is what the bottles should look like after you attach the wings and make the parachute.)
Make the Wings
You'll need the bottom bottle, cardboard or foam core, a pair of scissors, duct tape, and if you want a pencil.
Get the cardboard or foam core and cut out a wing that will a good size for the bottle.
Cut out 3-4 wings that are the same in size. If the size is off it will effect how high the rocket launches. You can make them whatever size you want and whatever shape you want.
Once the wings are cut out, tape them onto the sides of the bottom bottle of your rocket so it looks somewhat to the picture. Make sure they're taped around the same height because the wings effect the direction and the height of the rocket.
Get the cardboard or foam core and cut out a wing that will a good size for the bottle.
Cut out 3-4 wings that are the same in size. If the size is off it will effect how high the rocket launches. You can make them whatever size you want and whatever shape you want.
Once the wings are cut out, tape them onto the sides of the bottom bottle of your rocket so it looks somewhat to the picture. Make sure they're taped around the same height because the wings effect the direction and the height of the rocket.
Making the Parachute
Before you finish assembling your rocket you need to make your parachute. You'll need a garbage bag, a tennis ball, scissors, dental floss or string, and a piece of cardboard or foam board.
You can use a garbage bag or a plastic bag. If you use a plastic bag you don't need to cut it but if you use a garbage bag you'll need to cut it so it's smaller, thinner, and it can fit inside your rocket.
Cut your garbage bag so it's in the shape of a circle. You do this by folding it slightly and then cutting it out.
No matter what you use you have to cut about 4-6 small holes so you can tie the string to the bag. Then once the string is tied to the bag you cut a hole in the tennis ball so the string can fit through and get to the other side of the tennis ball. Then make a hole in the piece of cardboard or foam so the string can also get through. This will hold the tennis ball and string in place. Then tie the string so the tennis ball stays attached to the bag.
You can use a garbage bag or a plastic bag. If you use a plastic bag you don't need to cut it but if you use a garbage bag you'll need to cut it so it's smaller, thinner, and it can fit inside your rocket.
Cut your garbage bag so it's in the shape of a circle. You do this by folding it slightly and then cutting it out.
No matter what you use you have to cut about 4-6 small holes so you can tie the string to the bag. Then once the string is tied to the bag you cut a hole in the tennis ball so the string can fit through and get to the other side of the tennis ball. Then make a hole in the piece of cardboard or foam so the string can also get through. This will hold the tennis ball and string in place. Then tie the string so the tennis ball stays attached to the bag.
Putting the Rocket Together
Place the bottom part of the bottle on top other bottle. Make sure the bottom part of your rocket has the parachute with the tennis ball inside. DO NOT TAPE THIS PART! You need to have this some what loose so the parachute will come out of the bottle rocket and land on the ground.
Once your rocket is together you are now ready to fill it up, half way, with water and launch it.
Once your rocket is together you are now ready to fill it up, half way, with water and launch it.