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How to Build a Paper Rocket Launcher

A paper rocket can be made to fly by blasting compressed air into the rocket's nozzle. To build a paper rocket launcher that will provide the air pressure needed to propel the paper rocket skyward, you will need to acquire supplies from a hardware store. In addition, household tools and supplies will be necessary. No special equipment or cutting edges will be used, so adult supervision is not a necessity if the person making the launcher is underage.

Things You'll Need

Empty soda bottle, 2 liter
Tape measure
PVC pipe, 3-1/2 inch, 1/2-inch diameter
Pencil
Duct tape
PVC pipe, 1 foot, 1/2-inch diameter
4-way cross PVC pipe, 1/2-inch diameter
2 PVC caps, 1/2-inch diameter
2 PVC pipes, 2 inches, 1/2-inch diameter
Paper rocket

Instructions

- 1
  Stand the empty soda bottle on a table. Measure two inches from an end of a 3-1/2 inch PVC pipe, using a tape measure. Make a dot at the three inch mark, using the pencil.
- 2
  Insert the end of the pipe that has been marked into the open top of the bottle. Line up the mark on the pipe with the rim of the opening. Tape the pipe to the bottle with strips of duct tape.
- 3
  Insert one end of the foot long PVC pipe into the open end of the 3-1/2 foot pipe. Tape the two together with strips of duct tape.
- 4
  Place the 4-way cross PVC pipe on the table. Place the free end of the foot long pipe in the end of the 4-way cross pipe that faces right. Tape the two together using strips of duct tape.
- 5
  Insert a PVC cap on the top and bottom ends of the 4-way cross pipe. Tape the caps to the pipe with strips of duct tape.
- 6
  Insert an end of a 2-inch pipe into the left end of the 4-way cross pipe that is opposite the soda bottle. Tape the two pipes together with strips of duct tape.
- 7
  Insert the free end of the 2=inch pipe into an end of the angled PVC pipe. Rotate the angled pipe so that its free end faces up. Tape the two pipes together with strips of duct tape.
- 8
  Insert an end of another 2-inch PVC pipe into the open end of the angled pipe. Tape the two together with strips of duct tape.
- 9
  Place a paper rocket on the free end of the foot long PVC pipe. Stomp on the soda bottle with your foot to blast the rocket into the air.

Aviation