The Final Blog Post

Day 2 - Day 5 Rocket Adjustments and Modifications

Data Collections

Just as we begin to make real progress, our rocket launching experiments have come to a bittersweet end after two long stressful weeks. We started this project with a simple 2-Liter bottle with a total flight time of 2.7 seconds. Although the modifications of our second day launch (2 fins made from construction paper) did not show much improvement compared to the first launch, we did learn how not to make fins and modifications in general. The materials used to make the fins were not sturdy enough and easily shifted in the wind, causing the rocket to spiral as it landed. Therefore, for future adjustments, we needed to use sturdy materials that would be able to endure the conditions of the flight.

The real improvement showed in our third launch, when the most modifications were made. We were able to obtain a flight time of at least 3 seconds by using 2 2-Liter bottles duct taped together, 4 fins made from thick sheet protectors, a parachute made from 3 plastic bags hot-glued together and attached by string, and a cone made from the top half of a 2-Liter bottle (without the cap). The rocket flew well above Konia building and landed in between the middle staircase, without the deployment of the parachute. The flight was good because of the time and height of the launch. However, the direction and parachute deployment needed work. Due to the immense pressure against the rocket that the cone had during the fall and the small area used to contain the parachute, the nose cone trapped the parachute and caused the malfunction in its deployment. The possible reasons for the off direction of the rocket could be because of imprecise placement of the fins on the rocket and the wind factor.

With these errors in mind, we managed to make some adjustments. For the fourth day launch, we added a new nose cone with more space and a cap in hope that it would provide enough mass for it’s descent and releasing of the parachute. Unfortunately, the parachute still didn’t deploy, the rocket still flew in an off direction and to top it off, we were unable to retrieve our rocket because it flew on the roof of Midkiff. Discouraged, we still managed to make a new rocket with proper adjustments for the final launch day. Our rocket consisted of properly aligned fins, large nose cone attached to the rocket, wide parachute, 2 bottles, and the addition of mass within the nose cone. The mass within the nose cone would allow the nose cone to descend ahead of the rest of the rocket, giving the parachute room to deploy. However, we learned that we needed to use more water in order to support the increased mass. Altogether, these modifications made a successful launch with a final time of 10.6 seconds that achieved the required time limit. From the final launch, we noticed that the increased mass from the cone tugged down on the rocket and caused a shorter flight time than if there was no mass pulling down on the rocket. If we were to make adjustments, we would decrease the mass slightly so that it would create less of a drag but still leave enough mass so that the cone would be able to detach. Overall, this was a fun experiment that I would gladly take part in again, even though it caused sleep deprivation and lots of stress. 

Final Blog: March 13, 2011

The water rocket launching has slowly progressed to our successful end.

On the first day of launching, Makana depicted how the rocket flew into the air crooked, but quickly spiraled towards the ground. She suggests that having a center mass would so that the rocket will fall onto the side that is attached to the mass.
On the second day of launching, Makana constructed two fins made of construction paper to attach to the mid section of the rocket. Unfortunately, the two fins didn’t help during the launch and Makana concluded that the fins may have been placed to high on the rocket or the fins should be made with a heavier material.
On the third day of launching, modifications were done. We attaching four clear plastic fins onto the rocket and helped the rocket shoot straight into the air. A parachute made out of plastic bags was also added, but the cone couldn’t encase the entire parachute in it. It flew quite high, but landed behind of Konia, therefore, we couldn’t get an accurate timing.
On the fourth day, we made a larger cone, to incorporate the entire parachute in it, but it did not give the parachute a chance to deploy. As a result, our rocket was lost on the roof of Midkiff. Although we suffered a devastating lost, our rocket stayed in the air for 5.3 seconds.
Finally, the last day to launch came with its time requirement of 10 seconds to stay in the air.Makana and I took our newly built rocket to launch. We had recreated our first rocket, with the four equidistant plastic fins and plastic bag parachute, but we also added mass atop the cone and added more water in our rocket. On the first trial, our rocket stayed up in the air for about 3 seconds. By our fourth trial, we stayed in the air for about 10.8 seconds. Being even more ambitious, we launched again, but it only stayed in the air for 9.8 seconds. Our hard work paid off because we had made the 10-second requirement while learning the trajectory of water rockets.
I learned that fins can help direct the rocket to shoot straight up into the air and that the parachute should be made in a long rectangle shape ,rather than in a perfect square, so that it can catch the air better in flight.

Fifth Day Launch: March 9, 2011

After much hard work, we succeeded.

Makana and I had to build an entirely new rocket because of the devastating lost of our first rocket (which is still snug atop Midkiff). We also made a larger cone with mass made with marbles, cotton balls, and strips of plastic bags. Another change was made to the parachutes design. We made the parachute wider to catch as much air as possible.

After the alterations were made (and Makana removed her pearly white shoes to avoid getting them dirty), we went to launch. We had many failed trials, but with more water and pressure (and less marbles) the rocket launched successfully and stayed in the air more than 10 seconds.

Aside from alterations we made to the rocket and parachute, in the middle of our failed trials, Makana and I made the string that attached the cone to the rocket longer so that the parachute could deploy. Overall, (aside from the stained wet shirts and muddy feet) today's launch went great and we succeeded the requirement of 10 seconds!!!

We plan to shoot the rocket again to see if it can stay in the air longer.

Fourth Day Launch: March 7, 2011

Today was a sad day. We lost our rocket to the evil clutches of Midkiff roof. Our rocket didn’t make air during the first attempt. However, after our second launch attempt, our rocket flew over the trees next to Midkiff and onto the roof, where we were unable to retrieve it. The cone didn't come off of the rocket until it landed; therefore the parachute did not get a chance to open. An occurring problem is that our rocket is unable to travel on a straight path. Possibly, because it reaches such a great height and there is also the contributing weather conditions. Though we lost our rocket, we did manage to fulfill the minimum time requirement with a total of 5.3 seconds of airtime.

Although rope lassos and wind chants were considered, the best decision was to make an entirely new rocket with appropriate adjustments; a difficult challenge, but not impossible. Putting so much work into this rocket and losing it to a roof is definitely devastating, but we at least know how to make adjustments this time. We found good ways to create fins, rocket-attachable cones, and a sufficient parachute (when deployed). The main adjustment that should be taken into consideration is putting some sort of mass within the cone. By doing this, the chances of the cone detaching would be greater, which would hopefully allow the parachute to deploy and create an overall greater flight time.

Fourth Day Launch: March 7, 2011

Today was a sad day. We lost our rocket to the evil clutches of Midkiff roof. Our rocket didn’t make air during the first attempt. However, after our second launch attempt, our rocket flew over the trees next to Midkiff and onto the roof, where we were unable to retrieve it. The cone did not come off of the rocket until it landed; therefore the parachute did not get a chance to open. An occurring problem is that our rocket is unable to travel on a straight path. Possibly, because it reaches such a great height and there is also the contributing weather conditions. Though we lost our rocket, we did manage to fulfill the minimum time requirement with a total of 5.3 seconds of airtime.

Although rope lassos and wind chants were considered, the best decision was to make an entirely new rocket with appropriate adjustments; a difficult challenge, but not impossible. Putting so much work into this rocket and losing it to a roof is definitely devastating, but we at least know how to make adjustments this time. We found good ways to create fins, rocket-attachable cones, and a sufficient parachute (when deployed). The main adjustment that should be taken into consideration is putting some sort of mass within the cone. By doing this, the chances of the cone detaching would be greater, which would hopefully allow the parachute to deploy and create an overall greater flight time.

Third Day Launch: March 3, 2011

March 3, 2011 was the third day of water bottle rocket launches. The modifications to the rocket that were used today were four fins made out of clear plastic coverings placed on four equidistant points. I found that these fins were effective because after the bottle was launched, it shot straight up into the air. The material that the fins were made out of were sturdy but not heavy. A parachute was also added during this launch made out of plastic bags. The parachute successfully diploid which helped the rocket's landing. Something we could improve on is the cone that secures the the parachute until it is ready to deploy in the air.The problem we found with the cone is that it could not fit the parachute inside.We could make a smaller parachute or create a customized cone but it did not pose a problem because the parachute diploid correctly. From the pictures, our rocket blasted off high above Kapalama Heights but land behind Konia.

Second Day Launch: March 1, 2011

March 1, 2011 was the second day of water bottle rocket launches. Unfortunately, Ian was still out sick, so I had to make adjustments by myself. The modifications to the rocket that were used today were two fins made out of construction paper placed in the mid section of the bottle. I found that these fins weren’t effective because after the bottle was launched, it mostly spiraled in the air. One possible reason for this is because the fins were too high, making them less aerodynamic than if they had been lower. The material also affects the flight. I think that if I had used a heavier material such as cardboard, it would’ve given the bottle more mass, hopefully making it fly straighter or at least higher as I have seen in other groups. The plan that I have for the next launch is to use two bottles instead of 1 and create a nose cone using one of the bottles rather than making my own because the plastic bottle cone will be sturdier. Then, I plan to make fins using protective sheets. Lastly, a parachute needs to be incorporated in the design and hopefully, will allow the bottle to remain in the air for a minimum of three seconds.