UPDATE:

The final water rocket launch is Thursday May 20, 2010. You are to look at the pictures and videos to see how to improve your rocket. Remember the contest is to have the tallest rocket that flies the highest. If you stick a wire on top of the rocket solely for decoration it's length will not be counted in the height measurement. The height will measured from the ground to the highest structural part of the rocket.
YOU MUST TURN IN YOUR ROCKET IN THURSDAY MORNING TO ROOM 265 SO WE WILL HAVE TIME TO PREP THE ROCKET FOR LAUNCH.

This one YouTube video shows ALL of the rockets taking off -UP CLOSE. It is about 5 minutes long.

If your rocket is not one of the 15 we launched in the videos, then there is a reason. Check out the trouble shooting tips to find out what may have gone wrong, (Click here.) Remember the purpose of the first launch was to learn what works and what doesn't.

Click here to see numbered still images of the rockets that we were able to launch.

Below is a list of videos showing each rocket launch from FROM A DISTANCE. Here is a construction tip. Build it like an arrow. Don't build fins that are too tiny. Put your fins at the bottom of the rocket-only. Build it taller than two bottles. Add some mass to the nose cone to stabilize the flight after the water runs out. Do some research ...Really.

• NOTHING on your rocket can be made from metal or wood greater than 1/8 inch thick.
• The fins must be attached using “duct” tape or Gorilla™ tape. No other type of tape can be substituted.
• You can attach the fins with adhesives.
• No metal is allowed on any part of the rocket.
• The body of the rocket must be made from parts of 2 liter bottles. Use ONLY 2 liter bottles.
• Each water bottle rocket will be launched with a pressure of 50 psi.
• Each water bottle rocket will contain a minimum of 100 ml of water at launch. But you can request an amount greater that this.
• No recover system is needed.
• A successful entry must fly at least 2 meters above the ground.
• The top of the rocket is measured to the highest point -other than pole like protrusions.
• A launch system will be provided by the school.

• You can use corrugated cardboard but make sure you cover up the leading edge of the fins with tape or something. This will reduce air resistance.
• Examine the water rocket bottle in the classroom.
• Fins should extend out from the bottom of the bottle so they do not get hung up on the launcher.
• Adding a few ounces of water weight to the top of the rocket will increase its stability and help it to go higher.
• "PL Adhesive" from Lowes will stick the fins on the rocket really well. LIGHTLY wet the bottle where the fins will be attached. PL adhesive is a polyurethane glue. It is activated by moisture. Even the moisture in your hands will activate it. WEAR LATEX GLOVES. Less glue is better than more. It cures to 90% strength in 4 hours and 100% strength in 12 to 24 hours depends on humidity. Humidity help it to cure. Read and follow the instructions on the tube.
• You can attach fins on with good duct tape or better yet, Gorilla™ tape. DO NOT attach the fins with masking tape or Scotch™. These tapes will not hold the fins on during the high acceleration of the launch.

points