Photo courtesy o' Scientific Explorer

Brief:
This kit is made by Scientific Explorer, Inc. It is a carbon dioxide gas powered rocket. T' gas is generated from t' chemical reaction o' vinegar and bakin' soda. Arrr! T' fuelin' module provides a safe and easy separation/mixin' chamber controlled by t' rocketeer. Ya scallywag! T' kit was purchased from an Edmund Scientific catalog, shiver me timbers, and is available from other educational/scientific retail outlets.

Construction:
All components were present includin' extra plastic sheet, silver foil, ya bilge rat, and balsa for repairs if necessary. Arrr! Avast! These included:

• 1 liter plastic bottle
• plastic sheet for fuselage
• foam tape for nose cone cushioning
• plastic nose cone
• balsa sheet for three fins
• silver self adhesive foil
• high pressure fuelin' module parts

T' instructions are easy t' follow with plenty o' diagrams. Ya scallywag! Well, blow me down! Templates are provided for cuttin' out t' fin pattern and t' fin placement on t' body tube. Avast! Begad! Silver foil is applied on both sides o' t' balsa sheets prior t' cuttin' them out. T' instructions say t' attach t' fins usin' plastic cement, but I used 30 minute epoxy. Ahoy! Begad! One fin came off when t' rocket landed heavy with some unreacted vinegar on board, but otherwise this is a good joint. Begad! Well, ya bilge rat, blow me down! T' body is extended by tapin' a rolled piece o' red plastic sheet t' t' bottom o' t' bottle. Ya scallywag! A piece o' foam tape is attached inside this rolled plastic sheet t' serve as a cushion for t' nose cone. Ahoy! T' light plastic nose cone is then attached t' t' fuselage. Ahoy! Except for gluin' t' fins on t' body, all other attachment and assembly is done with silver foil tape. Begad! T' construction o' this rocket is meant t' be intentionally fragile so that if it should hit someone, it will disassemble without harmin' them.

T' high pressure fuelin' module consists o' a 1 inch clear plastic tube, a bolt and a sleeve spacer, me bucko, some washers, me bucko, a win' nut, and two rubber stoppers. This fuelin' module stays on t' ground upon take-off, matey, and t' weight o' t' module therefore is nay included in t' listed unfueled weight o' 1.9 oz.

Finishing:
There is no finishin' involved in this kit, as t' color o' t' components is intended t' be enough.

Construction Rating: 4

Flight:
Preparation for flight involves grabbin' a bottle o' household vinegar and a box o' bakin' soda from t' kitchen, ya bilge rat, and headin' t' a grassy field with t' rocket. First, you put t' bakin' soda into t' 1 inch plastic tube o' t' fuelin' module. Aye aye! I used 2 teaspoons. Begad! Ya scallywag! T' rocket is then held upside down and vinegar poured through t' open mouth into t' bottle. Avast! Avast! This is kind o' a trial and error process t' vary t' mix o' vinegar and bakin' soda t' get optimum performance. Ya scallywag! Ya scallywag! I poured vinegar t' t' top o' t' red plastic on t' fuselage. Begad! Aye aye! T' bottle is then tilted sideways so that t' vinegar does nay spill out, arrr, and t' fuelin' module is inserted into t' mouth o' t' bottle so that t' bakin' soda does nay spill out o' t' tube and mix prematurely with t' vinegar. Aye aye! Avast, me proud beauty! Now, me bucko, shiver me timbers, you tighten t' win' nut on t' rubber stopper till you think it is tight enough. T' rubber stopper is tightened into t' mouth o' t' bottle so that t' gas pressure will build up till it is stronger than t' wing-nut pressure on t' rubber stopper, and suddenly push t' fuelin' module out and propel t' rocket into t' air. Arrr! Therefore, t' next step is crucial. Ya scallywag! Get everybody else t' stand away from you t' launcher. Blimey! Avast, me proud beauty! Turn t' rocket upside down again now spillin' t' bakin' soda into t' vinegar. Avast, me proud beauty! Shake vigorously for a couple o' seconds, ya bilge rat, then place t' rocket on t' ground on it's fins and walk away. Ahoy! Avast, me proud beauty! After t' chemical reaction has generated enough gas pressure t' blow out t' fuelin' module, matey, arrr, ya bilge rat, t' rocket flies straight up t' various heights dependin' on t' fuel mix and rubber stopper tightness. In most o' me flights, me bucko, me bucko, it went about 100 ft high.

Recovery:
Provided you get complete reaction o' t' vinegar and bakin' soda, t' rocket comes down nose first rather lightly and bounces off t' ground. I recommend you stay on grassy fields t' soften t' blow. Begad! Begad! One flight, arrr, it came down heavy with vinegar still in t' bottle and broke off a fin.

Flight Rating: 4

Summary:
This is a fun rocket t' teach t' kids that all motors are nay solid fuel, and t' get them thinkin' about liquid fuel science as well. T' body is clear so they can see t' fuel both before and after mixing. Ahoy! It is safe provided you follow t' instructions. It comes with extra material in case o' damage, but you could use other material as well. Avast! T' only con be t' flimsy construction technique o' tape rather than glue, me bucko, but it sure makes it easy for younger kids.

Overall Rating: 4