During today’s launch credit, we learned how to use the launch materials that are going to be used through out the remainder of this particular project. For this first launch, we didn’t use any modifiers such as fins, a cone top, an extra mass, or a parachute to sustain our bottle in the air for the full 10 seconds. Instead, we learned the basics first. We first filled our bottle up with 500 mL of water (our fuel), then secured the bottle to the launcher, pumped air into our rocket using a bike pump, and finally pulled the string to release the security of the launcher to allow the release to occur. After watching a couple of our classmates launch at a PSI of 50 and 40, we decided to make our first launch at a 45 PSI. Watching the playback of our video, our first launch came out to it sustaining for a total of three seconds. The wind was a contributor of it drifting and the lack of balance resulted it to rotate in the air before landing on the ground. Adding modifications should allow our rocket to release somewhat straight up in the air and sustain to the total required time. Above is a video of our first launch. Source (Kanoe and Lehua)
-Kanoe
