You should see a welcome letter and PDF templates for paper rockets. Feel free to photocopy these and make as many as you like. If you need an original PDF, it is available free from our “templates” tab of our website. Look for more official NASA and ULA templates there too.

Check to make sure you have all the parts shown below (the red rocket fins may look different):

We will start with the air inlet, the Schrader valve. Wrap the ¼ NPT male pipe threads with the included Teflon pipe thread tape as shown. Winding it in the direction shown prevents it from unwrapping when threading it into the next part. 4-5 full wraps should seal it well:

Next, thread the Schrader valve into the end of the blue slide valve as shown, tighten with adjustable wrenches:

Apply 4-5 wraps of Teflon pipe tape to the male threads on the end of the aluminum tank.

Thread the tank into the side of the Quick Exhaust Valve (QEV):

Tighten as shown:

Apply 4-5 wraps of Teflon pipe tape to the elbow fitting:

Locate the spring, and fit it up inside the threaded end of the elbow fitting as you install it into the Inlet side of the QEV:

Thread it into the inlet of the QEV and tighten as shown:

Apply 4-5 wraps of Teflon pipe tape to the overpressure valve:

Thread the overpressure valve into the end of the aluminum tank as shown:

Hand tighten the launch tube into the outlet of the QEV (no need for teflon tape here):

Slide the wooden base together as shown:

Press down as shown to fully seat the wood parts together:

Next, slide the aluminum tank into the top slot of the base:

Ensure that the side of the QEV contacts the wood base:

Install the “U” bolt as shown, around the tank and through the two holes in the wood base:

Next, install the washers and wing nuts onto the U bolt threads. Loosen to adjust launch angle and retighten:

Next, firmly push the orange tube into the blue end of the right angle fitting. It installs about 3/8” (10mm):

Insert the other end of the orange tube into the chrome ring at the end of the slide valve, push firmly; it also installs about 3/8” (10mm):

Your launcher is complete!

1. To operate the launcher, remove the black Schrader valve cap and connect a manual tire pump.

2. Load the rocket over the launch tube.

3. Slide the blue part of the slide valve in the direction of the arrow that shows “Pressurize” (away from the pump, towards the launcher).

4. Pump to desired pressure – check the gauge on your pump. Lower pressures (10-30 PSI) for large indoor spaces such as a gym. Higher pressures up to ≈120 PSI (where the overpressure valve will leak) outdoors.

5. When using with children, it is best to locate the launcher on a table, with the launch tube angled down range, so the rocket launches over the length of the table. The table prevents people from getting too close or leaning over the launcher.

6. Do a countdown, and slide the blue part of the slide valve away from the launcher. You will hear a hiss as the air escapes the orange tube, triggering the QEV to open in about 1 millisecond, venting the charge of air from the tank and launching the rocket!

To store or transport, make sure pressure tank is discharged by pulling on the ring at the end of the over pressure valve to vent any residual pressure. Unscrew and slide the launch tube into the larger notch in the base, and secure with Velcro strap. The smaller notch in the base is for a 3/8” launch tube which works with standard stomp rockets. A length of 3/8” pipe and a ½ NPT male to 3/8 NPT female adapter is required to use that size launch tube.

The orange tubing coils neatly into the grooves in the wooden base.

Ready to store or transport: