[MakeLV] 10 rocket rail gun launcher

[Joe Dunfee]

 >So, what are the problems that must be overcome?
 >
 >JSR/

Some of the things may be human factors;
   The desire to play with fire isn't fully satisfied.
   The device is more complex and harder to understand.

Perhaps it may be better to let the device be a gun that can shoot 
small pellets through a paper or cardboard target.  Then, that may 
satisfy the same part of the brain that wants to "play with fire."

On the plus side of the rocket rail gun;
   It has a greater scientific feel to it.
   It will feel like something an older person will want to do.  Note 
that this is an appeal to younger ones... they want to do older stuff.

I will also second the idea of using pneumatic bottle rockets. They 
are a safe and fun rocket alternative without consumables.  There is 
a lot of educational content written up about them. A variation on 
the idea involves small paper rockets that are built around a straw. 
The launcher is what provides the thrust, similar to the "stomp 
rocket" toy.  But, this may not have as much physics content to 
learn, since it is harder to calculate and predict the behavior.

A bit more pneumatic bottle rambling; I have had in my head for a 
long time a desire to try to create a pneumatic bottle rocket that 
leaves a "smoke" trail.  The idea would be to somehow generate foam 
or bubbles as the rocket ascends.  There is already compressed air 
and water available in the ship, though it normally is expelled right 
away.  Perhaps a separate foam generating element could be created.

I have also thought about how one might create a multi-stage 
rocket.  If there were a lever that would actuate as the pressure 
dropped in a prior stage, that could launch the next stage.

But, none of my pneumatic rocket ideas have been fleshed out.


Joe Dunfee  joe at dunfee.com
Gordonville, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.