Bottle Rocket B

[Tramsarran]

I just made a rocket that weighs about 153 grams with everything on it. I know that lighter rockets are good, but how light is too light, meaning how light would it have to be to not go up enough to get a good time?

Unfortunately I have absolutely no idea. However, if it's light it won't need a lot of force to bring it up. Stability is just as important if you want it to get up. For me, the weight of the rocket will not be the first thing on my mind but the rocket that I built wasn't used in the competition or ever launched. If you're confident that the rocket is aerodynamic, will remain stable and will not nosedive then you should do well. I've heard that you should also try making a weather resistent rocket as well. I've never weighed the rockets that I used. Once it's high in the air I guess you're rocket will float/backslide to the ground. Just think about what I'm saying here because I don't have much experience myself. I've just seen how people did at the States competition in NY. I'm done for this year.

[space scientist]

Like, it won't get affected negatively by wind or rain. Or at least not much. You can't expect a good score if you launch any rocket into a tornado. And I can't explain because I know to do this because we built a rocket incompatible with wind that failed due to wind.

I have also built rockets that don't work well in strong winds (large rockets), but wind can help a small rocket like a working rocket that I launched in strong winds which caused it to glide onto the roof of the school (Luckily the rocket came down today, but all of the fins were broken.). In addition, a rocket can be protected from water by using heat shrink wrap or spray paint (which is water insoluble according to my dad), but I haven't ever launched a rocket while it is raining.

[fishman100]

I actually have, and our first rocket flew ~20 seconds. The next day in sunny weather, it only got ~15 :\

But it's not that fun, getting drenched...only do it if you must. :/

[Tramsarran]

Like, it won't get affected negatively by wind or rain. Or at least not much. You can't expect a good score if you launch any rocket into a tornado. And I can't explain because I know to do this because we built a rocket incompatible with wind that failed due to wind.

Actually, the bottle rocket will remain in the air for some time and get a good score in a tornado, as long as no parts of the rocket fall off or become seperated during flight(a competition violation). The updrafts of the tornado may keep the rocket airborne longer than you think, considering that it's a powerful enough low pressure system. If a rocket is not wind resistent enough or become torn apart, you'd be correct. The point is, always be prepared. Strong gusts of winds not in a rotating system would blow the rocket into another object and I'm not sure what else I can say about that.
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[Cheesy Pie]

We launched while it was raining. Our rockets had similar designs. One failed and fell apart. The other went on top of a 2 story building.

Sorry. I love that story.

[Littleboy]

Just little things can make a huge difference on how strong your rocket is.

[Cheesy Pie]

I know...

[fishman100]

What material are you all using for your nosecone?

[space scientist]

What material are you all using for your nosecone?

I use poster board (the thin kind) for my nose cone since it is strong enough to work but not rigid enough to be hard to use. I also use a ping pong ball for the very tip of the nose.

[Littleboy]

What times do you predict will medal (top 6) at MI states this Saturday?