Bottle rocket

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Bottle rockets describe any of a large variety of small scale skyrocket. The name derives from people launching them out of bottles and are usually attached to sticks for stabilization so they take a preplanned flight course. These small skyrockets have been made at least since the early decades of the 20th century in many countries including Japan, China, and the former colony of Portuguese Macao. The older type of bottle rocket was typically a black powder skyrocket with a motor about two inches (5 cm) long and up to 0.375 inch (9 mm) diameter, mounted on a thin bamboo splint and often having a small report charge. A later variant utilizes a whistling propellant pressed into a plastic tube. Some varieties have different effects, such ascending spark tails, colored tails, and even small star bursts. Many of these rockets are cheaply mass-produced and can be sold for a relatively low price.

Bottle rockets have been specifically banned in many places, even places which allow most other consumer fire products, because of the perceived degree of danger, particularly fire hazard. In the United States, South Carolina, one of the most firework friendly states on the eastern seaboard, bans these rockets, while allowing all other federally legal consumer fireworks.

[edit] Creating Bottle Rockets

The bottle rocket is the building block of a skyrocket. There are many different forms of bottle rockets such as silents reports and screamers. The most common type of bottle rocket is one with a report. Their price is relatively cheap and can be bought by the gross at most firework stores. This is the basic creation of a black powder rocket which is completely harmless to anyone in its path. There is a risk of danger when creating the bottle rockets make sure you wear saftey googles in a controled area. To purchase the necessary ingredients and supplies visit the source listed below.

Casing A paper tube is used as a casing. Under no circumstances be tempted to use materials other than paper. It is dangerous and unnecessary. Roll or buy thick walled cardboard tubes, preferably parallel wound as they are much stronger than spiral wound tubes. The tubes should be sufficiently strong to allow ramming without wrinkling and to withstand the internal pressure during flight. The casing used in this example is 2" long, 1/4" inside diameter, 1/16" wall and has a 3/8" outside diameter. A wide range of casings can be purchased from Pyrocreations.

Tools A rammer and a hammer are needed. Non sparking materials, such as aluminium, brass, rubber and wood should be used. Rockets can be made without the assistance of any specialised tooling however if you are serious and want 100% consistent results, rockets that fly faster, higher and are much easier to make it is strongly recommended. You will also need paper tape and a scoop for your various powders.

Propellant Simple black powder (Meal - Black powder) in the standard ratio (75:15:10) works well to propel the rocket.

The Nozzle Black powder rockets require a nozzle. This is a plug in the exhaust end of the rocket, with a small opening. Nozzles for fireworks rockets are usually made with clay. Bentonite and kaolin clay work well. The dry clay powder is rammed into the casing, producing a solid plug. Cheap kitty litter is often made of bentonite clay and may be used instead. Grind up the kitty litter into a fine powder, which is most easily done with a ball mill or coffee grinder. This powder can be used to produce rock-hard nozzles that erode very little.

[edit] External links

• A pyrowiki on pyrotechics - more information on bottle rockets.
• For similar-shaped rockets packing up to 250 kg of gunpowder, see Yasothon Rocket Festival