Make a launchpad that holds the bottle with the neck downwards, lets you attach the pump and stand behind the bottle. One good method is to plant a spade or garden fork in the ground at a low angle ...

The problem with a lot of these water bottle rocket projects is that they leak where the bottle meets the launcher. In most cases this is a good thing as it’s almost impossible to build up ...

In this case, though, we’ll respectfully disagree with [Zach Hipps] assessment of his remote-controlled soda bottle rocket launcher ... even launch a two-stage water rocket?

Instead carefully drive the pump's needle through the cork so you can add air ... Once the bottle is empty of water, its flight starts to slow. If the rocket doesn't fly at all, check two things ...