Build

Building a Two Liter Soda Bottle Rocket

The steps here show how to build a two liter soda bottle rocket. The micro:bit rides inside a nose cone to protect it during flight. Also, you need to make a rocket launch system.

Rocket construction

(1) Find two 2-liter pop bottles to build the rocket and nose cone.
(2) Attach the fins cut from a plastic strawberry container.
(3) Paint the 2-liter rocket after the fins are attached.
(4) Cut the nose cone from the bottom of a 2-liter pop bottle. It slides over the top of the rocket with the micro:bit packaged inside.
(5) Put the micro:bit inside the protective wrapping.
(6) Place the microbit inside the nose cone.
(7) The complete rocket with nose cone attached.
(8) Set the rocket on the launcher.
(9) Pump up the pressure and release the rocket.

Launch system

In order to launch the rocket, you need to deliver compressed air to the rocket. There are several ways to make the rocket launcher. Here are some instructions and videos describing ways to do this.

• Air Command Water Rocket instructions (shows a variety of instructions)
• How To Build The Simplest Water Bottle Rocket Launcher
• Making a Water Bottle Rocket Launcher
• Weekend Project: Compressed Air Rocket

Adapted from “Rocket Acceleration z Radios“ by C Lyman