Project
Box rocket

Construction

• Four different box rockets were built and tested during this experiment. Three of the box rockets varied in width and height but were otherwise the same. The fourth box rocket had two engines while all the others only had one. All rockets were constructed from Schedule 125 PVC pipe and fittings and had the engines mounted towards the top in the center.

Pros

• Lightweight Schedule 125 PVC frames allow for a substantial thrust to weight ratio.
• Inexpensive and easy to construct.
• No launcher is needed.

Cons

• Engine failures on two flights.
• Igniting two engines simultaneously is very difficult.

Pictures

• Me next to 3 of 4 rockets.
• Successful flight.
• End cap failure in the air.
• End cap failure in the air.
• This is one of the most spectacular sequences of photos I've ever taken of my experiments. The engines did not light at exactly the same time so the thrust was off center. It was just a fraction of a second but it made a huge difference.

Video

• Video of off center box rocket.
• Engine failure on box rocket.

CAD Drawings

• Flight 02 rocket design.