Straw Rocket
Launcher
Materials Included
• Launcher base (preassembled)
• Angle plate (predrilled and slotted)
• 2 pan head screws (6-32 x 5/8")
• 2 knurled nuts (6-32 x 5/8")
• Piston assembly
• Spring
• Launch cylinder assembly (clear tube and enclosed graduated rod)
• Tube of silicone-based lubricant
User Guide
Items Required (not included)
• Completed straw rocket
• Safety goggles (one pair per student near the launcher)
• Range paper (optional)
• Tape measure (optional)
Safety Tips
• Straw rockets should never be launched at people.
• Before launching a straw rocket, make sure that all people are clear of the rocket’s anticipated
ight path.
• Never attach sharp objects (needles, pins, and so forth) to a straw rocket.
Straw Rocket Launcher User Guide 45186 V0918 1
Launcher Assembly
1. Locate the angle plate and slip the slot in the plate over
the brass tube on the launcher base. Be sure the angle
markings are visible from the front of the launcher and
that the angle plate is on the front side of the two angle
brackets of the launcher base (Figure 1).
2. Align the two predrilled holes in the angle plate with
the hole of each angle bracket (Figure 2). From the front,
insert one pan head screw through each hole in the angle
plate and brackets. On the back side of the bracket, start
one knurled nut onto each of the two protruding screws.
Be sure that the smooth portion of each nut is toward the
angle plate. Hand-tighten the nuts to secure the angle
plate to the brackets. Do not overtighten.
3. Insert the spring into the tube support mount on the
launcher base (Figure 3). Place the piston assembly over
the top of the spring with the hollowed-out portion of
the piston in the downward position.
Front
SlotAngle plate
Brass tube
Angle brackets
Launcher base
Figure 1
4. Slide the bottom of the launch cylinder assembly over
the piston assembly, spring, and the tube support mount
(Figure 4). Be sure that the launch cylinder is seated
completely onto the tube support mount.
The Straw Rocket Launcher is now ready for use. Be sure to
test your launcher prior to classroom use by following the
Making Straw Rockets instructions within this user guide.
Important Notes
• The Straw Rocket Launcher comes pre-lubricated. To
keep your launcher in optimum working order, use a
small amount of silicone-based lubricant (supplied with
the launcher) to lightly lubricate the O-ring on the piston
assembly at least once a year.
• It is not recommended that the launcher be disassembled
under ordinary circumstances. If disassembly is necessary
(for instance, to lubricate the O-ring), be sure to hold the
launcher base rmly and pull straight up on the clear
launch cylinder. Twisting the launch cylinder back and
forth will stress the brass launch tube, causing premature
failure. Be certain the spring and piston are correctly
positioned when reassembling the launcher.
Knurled nuts
Spring
Tube support
mount
Figure 2
Figure 3
Pan head
screws
Piston assembly
Launch cylinder
assembly
• Spare parts for the launcher are available through Pitsco
Customer Service; call 800-358-4983 or email us at
orders@pitsco.com.
2 Straw Rocket Launcher User Guide 45186 V0918
Figure 4
Caring for the Launcher
If the Straw Rocket Launcher has been
stored without use for several months, or
if the piston’s movement becomes erratic,
the O-ring inside the launch cylinder might
need to be relubricated. To relubricate the
seal, do the following:
Figure 5
1. Gently separate the launch cylinder
from the base by pulling them apart so that the spring apparatus,
including the piston, is exposed (Figure 5).
2. Rub a small amount of silicone-based lubricant around the O-ring
(Figure 6).
3. Replace the launch cylinder in the launcher base (Figure 7).
Figure 6
Making Straw Rockets
Straw rockets can be constructed easily and quickly from common
items.
Note: Most of these items can be purchased together in the Straw
Rocket Class Pack (35784):
• Precision Straws (or 7/32"-diameter drinking straws*)
• Transparent tape
• Heavy paper or lightweight card stock (such as index cards)
• Modeling clay or poster-mounting putty
• Scissors
* Straw packages don’t usually list the diameter. We recommend testing the straw on
the launcher before purchasing a large quantity.
1. The straw will form the body of the rocket. If you are not using
Pitsco’s Precision Straws, test the straw on the launcher to ensure
that it is the right size. The straw should t over the tube, but you
should be able to slide it freely up and down. If the straw is too loose,
air will leak between the straw and the tube, thereby decreasing
the distance the rocket will y. A properly tting straw rocket can y
distances up to 50 feet.
Figure 7
Figure 8
Figure 9
2. On a piece of paper, design a straw rocket determining the n shape,
number of ns, rocket length, and nose cone shape/mass.
You can experiment with rockets by varying the:
◦ Shape, size, and number of ns.
◦ Shape and mass of the nose cone.
◦ Rocket’s center of gravity.
◦ Length of the rocket body.
3. Use the straw as is or cut the straw to the
length you want (Figure 8).
Straw Rocket Launcher User Guide 45186 V0918 3
Figure 10b
Figure 10a
Figure 11
4. Cut the ns out of the paper or card stock (Figure 9). The ns should be all the same size and
shape. Rockets should have at least three ns.
5. Attach the ns to the rocket body using transparent tape (Figures 10a and 10b).
6. Form the rocket nose cone from the modeling clay and attach it to the top end of the rocket body
(Figure 11).
Launching Straw Rockets
The Straw Rocket Launcher features an adjustable launch tube. Simply adjust the angle by moving
the launch tube to align with the desired degree mark, which is indicated on the angle plate
(Figure 12).
1. Slip the straw rocket over the launch tube (Figure 13).
2. If the launch tube moves, carefully move it and the rocket back in line with the desired trajectory
angle.
3. Raise the launch rod to the desired height (Figure 14). By varying the launch rod height, which is
calibrated in centimeters, students can control the distance of the rocket’s ight.
4. To launch, release the launch rod so that it falls to the bottom of the cylinder (Figure 15). This
action compresses the volume of air in the cylinder and forces it out the launch tube, blasting
the rocket away from the launcher. Note: When rockets are launched, simply release or drop the
launch rod. Avoid forcing the rod into the cylinder.
Figure 12 Figure 13 Figure 14 Figure 15
4 Straw Rocket Launcher User Guide 45186 V0918
P.O. Box 1708 • Pittsburg, KS 66762
shop.pitsco.com
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