Introduction: Origami Rocket
You can make a real, working rocket from a simple sheet of paper!
The heart of this is a traditional "water bomb" origami model. There are already quite a few Instructables on making the water-bomb, so I simply present the steps as photos.
Turning it into a rocket, though...
The fuel I chose for this project was propane from my blowtorch. It's a happy coincidence that a drinking straw fits down the central delivery tube of my blowtorch. I cut a straw to a spike, and it became a perfect delivery system for injecting fuel into the water bomb through the inflation hole.
I blew in gas for a few seconds, laid the rocket on its side, then applied a match to the hole.
Woosh!
I normally fuel these with methane (natural gas) from my lab gas-taps, so a few rockets went up in flames while I got the fuel-air mix right...
The heart of this is a traditional "water bomb" origami model. There are already quite a few Instructables on making the water-bomb, so I simply present the steps as photos.
Turning it into a rocket, though...
The fuel I chose for this project was propane from my blowtorch. It's a happy coincidence that a drinking straw fits down the central delivery tube of my blowtorch. I cut a straw to a spike, and it became a perfect delivery system for injecting fuel into the water bomb through the inflation hole.
I blew in gas for a few seconds, laid the rocket on its side, then applied a match to the hole.
Woosh!
I normally fuel these with methane (natural gas) from my lab gas-taps, so a few rockets went up in flames while I got the fuel-air mix right...

Participated in the
Hurricane Lasers Contest

Participated in the
Pocket-Sized Contest
1 Person Made This Project!
- kenyer made it!
33 Comments
9 years ago on Introduction
Who needs fireworks? Genius!!!
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
Er, if there are actual flames, something has gone wrong...
Reply 6 years ago
or if the fuel can explodes
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
lol... doncha know? That's the Redneck Way. ;-D
6 years ago
when I blew the rocket,the fuel exploded ;/ DON'T TRY THIS ATE HOME KIDS
Reply 6 years ago
The fuel is supposed to explode - what kind of gas did you use?
Reply 6 years ago
i meant 2.I also used the propain tank mentioned
Reply 6 years ago
nitrogen peroxide
Reply 6 years ago
There's your problem - you should have used a gas that won't react violently with the paper the rocket is made of.
You know, like the propane I mentioned in the text...
9 years ago on Introduction
OK i just did this and for extra measure coated the inside of the paper with heat resistant paint. it didn't work and produced a lot of smoke. though next time i am going to use card stock.
9 years ago on Introduction
i may try this project just for fun but i am wondering will i end up with some thing like this.
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
Er.... not quite...
9 years ago on Introduction
Very neat working rocket...
I would like to know of any interesting failed projects.
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
Somewhere in the depths of my shed is a failed "Kelvin's Thunderstorm".
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
You should remake it into a non-failure and post it. Kelvin Thunderstorms are pretty cool I think at least I think so know after I Googled it
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
It's on my list.
However, my list currently has over 200 projects on it...
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
Hmm... Well sounds like a busy day
9 years ago on Introduction
(removed by Robert Goddard)
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
Goddard invented the *liquid* fuelled rocket...
9 years ago on Introduction
(removed by Robert Goddard)