Paper Rockets

We have been playing a lot lately with paper rockets trying to get some better designs etc. for the Skyline trip. Here is our latest design. Basically you just want a lightweight, aerodynamic design that will hold enough air pressure to get it up as high as you can. The launcher is just a 110 volt sprinker valve plumed for air with a switch and a length of pvc. We have the pressure set at about 150 psi. The rockets need to fit tight enough to allow pressure to build, but not so tight that it won't come off the pvc or just blow it to bits. This one has hot glue in the nose and a seal around the top end of the rocket so the pressure only has to be held in the nose to get lift off. The whole thing is covered in packing tape to protect it and make it more durable and able to hold the air pressure. The hang time we are getting with no chute is a little over 8 seconds. They go high enough that you sometimes lose sight of them, so they go high enough. It's really fun for the kids to try to come up with new designs etc. Anything will fly, so even small kids can build something and stick it on to launch...they just won't go as high with a bad design. Sorry you can't see much on the video, they really go fast!