PAPER ROCKET LAUCNHER Bob Galliher Hobart Middle School 705 e.4 th St. Hobart, In

NOTE: For the most part, the following slides do not have sizes listed. The reason being to allow you to use the materials you may have available. I will give a few sizes for reference only. Only use plastic pipe rated for higher pressure should be used for this rocket launcher. Remember if the rocket launcher is damaged, higher pressures may cause the launcher to explode.

Rocket Launching Safety Rules Water Rocket Safety Rules 1. Water rockets should only be used under the guidance of a trained professional (adult). 2. No metal or sharp objects are to be used on rockets. Care must be taken when cutting bottles. Each design must be approved by the supervising adult before launch. 3. Launch area and range should be large enough and clear before launching any rockets.

4. Only plastic drink bottles are to be used. New bottles should be used whenever possible. Bottles which have been exposed to sunlight for long periods of time should not be used. Bottles should be retired from use after launches. 5. Safety goggles must be worn when within 30 feet (10 meters) of a pressurized rocket. 6. One person, the designated safety officer, is to check for safe practices and can stop a launch whenever unsafe practices are observed. 7. One person is designated as loading officer and is responsible for securing the rocket to the pad and charging the rocket with the appropriate air pressure.

8. One person, the designated launch officer, commences countdown and launches the vehicle. 9. Be sure the launch pad is secured to the ground before launch. 10. All persons should be at least 10 feet (3 meters) from the rocket when it is being pressurized. 11. Use only bicycle pumps or air compressors to pressurize rockets. Always have a means for accurately measuring the air pressure. Never charge a rocket without air pressure measurements. Keep electrical cords away from all water sources. If a compressor is employed, use long air hoses rather than long electrical cords. 12. Rockets can be pressurized with various air pressures, but never above 90 psi under any circumstances.

13. Never go near or over a pressurized bottle. 14. Never lean over the top of a pressurized bottle. 15. All persons should face the rocket during launch, kneel down low, and participate in the countdown. No one should be facing into the sun (keep the sun at your back or over your shoulder). 16. If a leak is observed during pressurization, stop adding air and release the rocket using standard launch techniques. Then repair the leak.

17. Bottles modified with fins, nose cones, and extra mass should be carefully tracked by all personnel and avoided as the rocket returns to earth. Never attempt to catch a spent rocket or any payload that the rocket has launched. 18. If the rocket fails to release after the pin is pulled, immediately clear the area and inform the adult supervisor. The supervisor will jiggle the rocket with a long stick and cause it to release. The preceding safety rules and for more information, please visit the following website.

Materials: 1 pc. Plywood I used ½ by 2’ x 2” 2 2 x 8 x 12 4 bolts to reach through the 2 x 8’s 4 wing nuts and flat washers 1 - PVC pipe 2” x 36” 2 - 2” caps 1 – tubeless tire valve stem 2 – 2” Tee 1 pc 2” x 4” PVC Pipe

Materials (cont.) 2 – 2” connectors (one end friction fit, the other end threaded.) 1 – 2 “ connector 1 – 78 (34) galvanized nipple, threaded both ends. 1 – gas valve 1 reducer threaded outside, goes from the valve to a friction fit for the 1/2” ID stand pipe. 1½” ID x 12” stand pipe 1 reducer threaded outside and inside. 1 pressure gauge (at least 100 psi) Several ½ “ ID x 14 stand pipes (These will be used to wrap the paper around to make the rocket body.) Remember the use materials that suit you.

Plywood base. Make it big enough to support the rocket assembly. (Mine is ½” x 18” x 24”.

2 x 8 x 12 Brackets Drill or cut a hole slightly bigger that the outside diameter of the pipe. Drill 2 holes through the board for the bolts. Cut board down the middle. Put the bolts through the boards, put the washers and wing nuts on. Fasten the bottom brackets to the base. I think I used glue and nails.

One of the four bolt, washer, and wing nut placement.

Cut the 2” piece of PVC pipe to a length of 24”. Cut this length in half. Deburr the edges of The pipe. Glue one cap on one end. Glue the tee on both ends Of the pvc pipe.

Drill a hole in the center of the cap that hasn’t been glued on. This Cap may have to be filled, or ground down in order for the valve stem to seat properly. Pull the valve stem through the hole in the cap. Make sure it is seated well.. Glue this cap onto the 2” PVC pipe. Make sure pressure is kept on the caps as the adhesive dries, other wise there could be a leak. I speak from experience

This is the other end of the “tank” showing the cap.

Cut and glue a 3” section of the 2” PVC pipe into the Tee. Glue the 2” tee onto the 3” piece of PVC pipe. 2” Tee 3” section of PVC pipe.

Tee 3” piece of PVC pipe Glue the other tee onto the short 3” piece of PVC pipe.

PVC bushing, one end friction fit into the tee. The other end threaded for the brass reducer bushing.

Thread brass reducing bushing into the PVC reducing bushing. Brass bushing

Screw the pressure gauge into the brass bushing.

Glue a 6-9” piece of PVC pipe into the other end of the tee.

Glue a connector onto the end of the 6-9” piece of PVC pipe. Connector

Glue a PVC bushing into the connector. One end of the bushing Is friction fit the other end is female threads. Connector

Screw a galvanized nipple into the threaded part of the connector

Screw a gas valve onto the nipple.

Screw an adapter onto the gas valve. It needs to be threaded On one end and the other end needs to accept a friction pipe.

Insert the ½ (3/4) inch stand pipe into the connector. This pipe is the one the rocket will be placed on.