Final Blog: 3.11.11

Transforming from a naked two liter bottle to one with fins, a parachute, and a nosecone, our rocket proved its self to be very successful over the course of five launch days. On the first launch day, our bottle did not go into at all. Instead it launched parallel to the ground. In fact, during our first launch day, our bottle preferred to launch itself toward people like Mr. Blake and Kamaha'o. Then, we used sticks to guide our rocket. After using the sticks, our rocket launched straight up stayed up in the air for about four seconds. On the second launch day we added a nose cone, made out of manila folder, and part of a second bottle in order to create a longer body. When we launched the rocket, it stayed in the air for about five seconds.On day three, we added cardboard fins, a parachute made from a longs bag, molding clay, and a nosecone made from the top portion of our second bottle. The weight from the modeling clay was so great that it made the rocket come down before our parachute could fully deploy. By the time the parachute deployed, it could not create enough air resistance to hold the whole rocket in the air. Therefore, because of the heavy clay, our rocket was not able to stay in the air for a long time. On day four, we added new fins, a paper nosecone, and a bigger parachute. After three failed attempts, our parachute deployed while a gust of wind came and caused our rocket to say in the air for more than five seconds. If it wasn't for the wind, we would have not gotten credit for that day. On the final launch day, we added another nosecone made from the top of a 2 liter bottle. When we launched our rocket the fist time, it stayed in the air for three seconds. This was because our parachute opened but there wasn't enough air to create resistance. On the second launch, we timed it with the wind and the parachute deployed and the wind allowed our parachute to stay in the air for 11 seconds. During the last launch, our modifications worked out perfectly.