water bottle rocket

I am to create a water bottle rocket with 2 2 liter soda cans.I have to include fins, nose cone, and parachute. I need to know what shape and size is optimal for the fins, nose cone, and parachute.

Thanks.

You might want to start somewhere like https://spaceflightsystems.grc.nasa.gov/education/rocket/BottleRocket/about.htm

more replies plz

I don't know anything about water rockets specifically, but something that helps me with designs is looking at other peoples finished models, you could roughly judge the size of fins and nose cone, and recovery techniques. I would start here.

Making water powered 2liter bottles is faily easy...but adding a recovery system is a much tougher thing as there really is not "Instant" way to do it. The 3rd photo is a Battery powered "Add-On" multi function gizmo used my many Water Rocket flyers. it is not Cheap or easy to build but does a decent job deplaying a chute.

Bicycle pump presurized models generally are Bounce recovery. Typically the average 2 liter bottle with about 1/3 water filled will get 100 to 120 feet. Over pressurization is a constant threat and can cause injuries if precaustions are not taken.

Fins size are similar to the ones shown in the photo's below (these are not Water powered- they are 18mm BP motor powered "Odd-Roc".

Another use for 2 liter bottles is to make a PVC Air powered launcher and fly cardstock or paper flying models. Safer then Water rockets with a bit less altitiude on some of the larger models

View attachment A1c_Stomp Rocket Launcher-D3b_2ltr & .5in PVC by JEM(3in=1ft scale)_12-10.pdf

My older son's Physics teacher made that a project when he was in High School. They used a launcher like this one:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/like/290728255688?lpid=82&chn=ps&ul_noapp=true

Foam board makes good fin material, and you can make a nose cone with construction paper. Cheap, and a lot of fun.

sumanthm said:

I am to create a water bottle rocket with 2 2 liter soda cans.I have to include fins, nose cone, and parachute. I need to know what shape and size is optimal for the fins, nose cone, and parachute.

Thanks.

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FWIW, a 1-liter water rocket normally goes higher than a 2-liter rocket, because the diameter (and hence, aerodynamic cross-section) is smaller.

You can use CD’s cut in half as fins. Hot glue them to the walls of the bottle. You’ll have to reattach them from time to time. Suggest you make several rockets. They’re cheap.

The best nose cone is round, and not pointed. You are going to need nose weight - considerably more than you might think. Without the nose weight, you're trying, in effect, to throw a ping pong ball.
Take a wad of Plastiline modeling clay, and put it on the end of the bottle. Round the clay out, and hold it on with duct tape. That is, cover the whole end with duct tape. There! You got your very own nose cone!

Use about ¼ bottle of water, and make it warm. (Warm water is less viscous.)

You can experiment with the amount of water, and with the weight. Use a small amount of weight, and maximize altitude. Then adjust weight to maximize altitude.

Weight makes a big difference, BTW. It's more important than fin shape.

Keep out of the way of falling rockets. They can get heavy. You're going to attach a chute?
Good luck with that. I'm all for it, but I can't help you.

Here's video on how to make a nosecone out of another bottle.[video]https://youtu.be/jlHjH-XrF84[/video]

BTW, there are several WR simulators around. The best single resource IMO is AirCommand.

I learned quite a bit about water rockets from this website: https://www.uswaterrockets.com/

especially this page: https://www.uswaterrockets.com/construction_&_tutorials/menu.htm

and this page: https://www.uswaterrockets.com/construction_&_tutorials/Axial_Deploy_V3/tutorial.htm

Parachute deployment involves electronics of some type. Hope this helps.

samb said:

I learned quite a bit about water rockets from this website: https://www.uswaterrockets.com/

especially this page: https://www.uswaterrockets.com/construction_&_tutorials/menu.htm

and this page: https://www.uswaterrockets.com/construction_&_tutorials/Axial_Deploy_V3/tutorial.htm

Parachute deployment involves electronics of some type. Hope this helps.

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Just a thought.

We have a sticky list of rocketry resources on the forum. How about a list of water rocket resources?

Hey guys thanks for all the replies! Just a note no electronics,no glue only tape, and must be 2 liter bottle. Thanks again

And I only get 2 launches at school which is the next day of the first

Also would a plastic Walmart bag be a good parachute?