Homemade 200mph Rocket

Summary

In this thrilling video, the creator embarks on a DIY project to build a model rocket using only household items. Despite lacking prior experience and facing several setbacks, including a failed launch and technical challenges, the creator perseveres by using creativity and trial-and-error. The rocket, which features a homemade engine, parachute deployment system, and a sleek design, is eventually launched successfully, culminating in dramatic drone footage and a few exciting surprises. The project showcases resourcefulness, problem-solving, and the thrill of hands-on engineering.

Takeaways

• 😀 The process starts with a simple trick using a plastic water bottle, showing how pressure builds up inside when twisted.
• 😀 The goal is to build a homemade rocket using items found around the house, without prior knowledge of rocket building.
• 😀 A 3D model of the rocket is created using OpenRocket, a software that simulates rocket design before building.
• 😀 The main body of the rocket is reinforced with a plastic golf tube protector to strengthen the cardboard tube.
• 😀 The rocket motor is a D-size Zest motor bought from a hobby shop, providing significant thrust for the rocket.
• 😀 A cardboard tube and layers of paper clip locks are used to securely mount the rocket motor inside the main body.
• 😀 The nose cone is made using cardboard and paper mache, designed to withstand high G-forces during flight.
• 😀 A removable nose cone system is created using a plastic bottle tip to simplify transportation and storage.
• 😀 The rocket includes a parachute that is deployed by an internal explosion triggered by the motor's built-in injection charge.
• 😀 The fins of the rocket are made from cardboard and cardstock, shaped into airfoil edges to improve speed and stability.
• 😀 The final rocket design includes a modern black-and-white paint job, a parachute made from a plastic tablecloth, and a launch system with a custom-built controller and a friend's launchpad.
• 😀 After multiple failed attempts, the rocket successfully launches, deploys the parachute, and is recovered intact, even after high-altitude falls and rain exposure.

Q & A

What was the first step in creating the homemade rocket?

The first step was creating the main body tube of the rocket, which was made from a cardboard tube. The challenge was finding a way to make it stronger, and the creator used a plastic golf tube protector to reinforce it.

Why was the creator using a plastic water bottle in the project?

The plastic water bottle was used to create a system that allowed easy removal of the nose cone for transportation and storage. Additionally, it was used to form a locking mechanism for the rocket’s components.

What method was initially considered for powering the rocket?

Initially, the creator considered making solid rocket motors at home. However, due to safety concerns and lack of resources, they decided to use a commercially purchased D-size rocket motor instead.

What was the purpose of the parachute in the rocket design?

The parachute was designed to slow the rocket's descent after it reaches its peak altitude. This was crucial to prevent the rocket from crashing to the ground at high speeds, potentially damaging it.

How did the creator plan to deploy the parachute?

The parachute would be deployed using the rocket's built-in injection charge. This quick explosion, timed to go off five seconds after the engine cut out, would push the nose cone off, deploying the parachute.

What unexpected issue did the creator encounter with the rocket's parachute system?

The creator was concerned that the heat from the explosion might damage the rocket’s internals, so they wrapped the engine section in tinfoil. However, this was unnecessary as the explosion was brief and wouldn’t cause lasting damage.

What challenges did the creator face when preparing the launch controller?

The creator initially struggled with creating a working launch controller, as there was little online information. They solved the problem by soldering wires to a battery and adding a safety switch system to trigger the igniter and launch the rocket.

What weather conditions impacted the rocket's launch attempt?

The first launch attempt was delayed by rain, forcing the creator to continue with the launch despite the unfavorable weather conditions. This led to a failure of the rocket launch due to a disconnected wire in the launch controller.

How did the rocket perform during the second launch attempt?

During the second attempt, the rocket successfully launched, with the parachute deploying at the peak altitude. The rocket suffered only minor damage after falling from a height of over 200 meters, and the recovery was successful.

What happened to the rocket after the parachute detached?

After the parachute detached, the rocket glided far out of sight due to the loss of weight. The nose cone and parachute were separated, and the creator had difficulty retrieving the parachute despite using a drone to search for it.