Wired Science

Build your own Mini Cape Canaveral

Have you ever wanted to launch your own rocket? Well, now you can, with little more than a two liter soda bottle, wire hangers, a bicycle pump and some PVC pipe. Watch GeekDad Dylan Tweney and his helpers, Nelson and Ben, as they construct a launch pad that can shoot a soda bottle 100 feet or more into the air.

Get ready for lift off!

INSTRUCTIONS:

To build a Soda Bottle Water Rocket and Launch Pad, you'll need:

• Eye protection
• An empty two liter soda bottle
• Bicycle Pump
• One O-Ring
• 1/2 inch PVC pipe
• PVC end cap
• PVC elbow
• PVC collar, one inch
• Hose barb connector
• Glue
• Valve stem from the inner tube of an old bicycle tire
• Vinyl tubing, three to six feet worth
• Wire hanger
• Balsa wood or another thin material for fins
• Three eye bolts
• Drill with multiple sized bits
• String or twine for guide lines
• Three tent steaks
• Pocket knife or something that can cut PVC pipe
• A marker or pencil

Follow the simple steps below or click HERE for much more in-depth instructions.

1. First, you’ll need a rocket: Find an empty two liter soda bottle. If you wish, build some fins for it. We suggest using something light weight, such as balsa wood. You can also make them from other materials. Take a look HERE for more detailed information.

2. The O-Ring: Insert the PVC pipe into the bottle. Then, with a pocket knife, cut a little notch into the pipe at the opening of the bottle. Slide the o-ring into place.

3. The Air Connector: Drill a 5/16 hole into the PVC end cap, then glue the hose barb connector into the hole. Screw the end cap into the PVC Elbow. Glue the elbow onto the end of the PVC tube

4. The Air Tube: Glue the valve stem from the inner tube of an old bicycle tire to the end of your vinyl tubing. Connect the other end of the vinyl tubing to the hose barb connector on the PVC elbow. Note: You will eventually connect the end of the tubing with the valve stem to your tire pump.

5. The Safety Collar: Take the one-inch PVC collar and slide it over the PVC pipe and onto the bottle. Cut notches into the collar so that you can insert the Wire Hanger as a release clip. This will be your trigger. Now drill three holes into the collar so you can insert three Eye Bolts. These will be used to help stake the launch pad to the ground and keep it pointed skyward.

6. Launch Time: Finally, find an open field or park to launch your rocket. Steak the launch pad down using some string or twine. Fill the bottle half way with water. Attach a piece of string to the release clip so you can pull the trigger from afar. Using the tire pump, pump air into the bottle until it’s good and pressurized. Stand back and pull the release clip...

Alternate Improvements: Visit our RELATED LINKS or watch the GeekDad video for ways to improve your Soda Bottle Rocket and Launch Pad. It’s all here and more on WIRED SCIENCE.