How we launched a 20-liter “rocket” on water

Today I want to publish the material that we prepared last year. However, for a number of reasons, he lay on a shelf. It's about how we launched a 20-liter bottle from the cooler into the air using water and a car pump. Anyone has already done this. But it’s one thing to see, and another to try it yourself. The lesson turned out to be very exciting and four hours passed quickly. I recommend everyone to the May holidays;)

Now more about the launch itself.

Extract from Wikipedia:

Jet thrust is a force resulting from the interaction of a propulsion system with a jet of expanding liquid or gas flowing from a nozzle that has kinetic energy.

Sample with sparkling wine

First, we tested the effect of jet propulsion on a bottle of sparkling wine by attaching wheels to it.




The strength was enough for the bottle to travel a little more than 2 meters.

Field trip and preparation for launch

Since the estimated flight altitude of the “20 liter rocket” is above 10 meters, for launch we went out of town.

To begin with, the bottle was filled with water by a third.

They decided to regulate the pressure by eye, having adapted for this a plug of electrical tape wound on a hose from an automobile compressor.

Trial run

After setting the rocket on the launch pad and connecting the compressor hose to it, we launch it.

Misfire. After a couple of minutes, the hose was knocked out and all the water leaked out. The rocket didn’t even move, although the bottom of the bottle was slightly swollen (the nose of the rocket). Either the pressure is low, or there is a lot of water and the rocket is too heavy.

Again preparation and second launch

To begin with, it was decided to increase the density of the cork by wrapping several more layers of electrical tape. At the same time, water was poured as much.


Installation again.

Although the launch failed again, the rocket still made an attempt to take off.

Parameter change and third run

Once the rocket has come off the launch pad, it means that it already has strength. Now they tried to change the weight of the rocket, halving the amount of water.


Finally, everything worked out. The rocket flew.

Test run

To make sure that the result is not random, we launched the rocket 2 more times and all launches were successful.

Video report with launch

If you have any plastic bottle, car pump, electrical tape and you are outdoors, you simply must do it yourself! And if you run the launch with the children, the theme for the essay “How I spent the summer” will be provided.

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