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Does anyone think that a bottle glider would be optimal since the bottle is smaller?

I don't know about "optimal" but certainly worth experimentation!

I'm looking for suggestions on quality launchers - my priority criteria are ease of use (with a bike pump rather than compressor), durability next, and finally cost. We've been using a contraption with the zip tie collar and pvc tubing but it's super annoying to get the fit right.

I remember seeing a link to a site that supplied the launchers used at nationals, but a quick googling couldn't find it. While I'm asking questions, anyone have a table comparing psi, wind speed, and open area for launching practice? We are an urban school and have lost a few rockets to various rooftops in the past!

The site might have been this: https://wardsci.com/store/product/14458 ... launch-pad s
since they're the official kit supplier or something
Are there any parks you can use?

freed2003 wrote:The site might have been this: https://wardsci.com/store/product/14458 ... launch-pad s
since they're the official kit supplier or something
Are there any parks you can use?

Wow - I'm surprised I didn't see that - I saw a handful of other launchers on Ward but I missed that one. I'm thinking that must be the same as the standard one on this page: http://www.nerdsinc.com/products/ That was the site I had seen a while back.

As for parks, there are a couple in the neighborhood, but with trees and typically lots of people - plus it's a lot trickier in general to go off campus to practice. We've got a field attached to our school that's the most convenient spot, but it's only about 50m x 50m (http://goo.gl/Ycf51Z). We'll see. Hopefully they'll build these rockets before there's snow everywhere and being outdoors is unpleasant.

Edit - answered my question - https://spaceflightsystems.grc.nasa.gov ... safety.htm This offers good guidelines for practice location space

SPP SciO wrote:I'm looking for suggestions on quality launchers - my priority criteria are ease of use (with a bike pump rather than compressor), durability next, and finally cost.

Not mentioned yet is the aquaport II launcher. We have used the predecessor and it is very easy to use and reliable.

http://www.pitsco.com/Aquaport_II_Water_Rocket_Launcher

Does anyone know if the Bottle Rocket event this year will have the "egg" component?

I believe it does.

Jaol wrote:I believe it does.

AAAAAARRRRRGH

That means I have to attack the egg with bubble wrap again!

Any projected Nationals-winning times yet? I'm thinking around the same as last year, but I'm not sure.

The overall weight of rockets would be lighter, due to the usage of 1 liter bottles rather than 2, but the air compressed would also be less than a 2 liter, when both are pumped to a constant PSI.

And finally, a question: would ES(s) enforce the rule of only using carbonated beverage bottles as pressure chambers? For example, I've seen 1 liter SmartWater bottles being used before, but those aren't carbonated, are they? I say this because it really limits the shapes available to competitors, whether we're using a carbonated bottle or not, and it could put those who thought exclusively of carbonated bottles at a disadvantage, if non-carbonated bottles are loosely allowed. What are your thoughts on pressure chamber shapes/bottle brands?