Little Foot Launcher

The LITTLE FOOT Launcher started on our 10th Year Anniversary Launcher (in 2006) for selling quality Water Rocket Launching Systems.

Since 1996 we built and sold a robust launcher called the Bigfoot Water Rocket Launcher. In 2006, I designed a 2nd alternative trigger that also fit on the Bigfoot Launcher, just to give some variety to the launching experience. After getting several calls from several science teachers that wanted a launcher that they could travel with, the LITTLE FOOT launcher was born using the 2nd alternative trigger.

Purpose of LITTLE FOOT WATER ROCKET LAUNCHER was to offer to following features:

SAFE to use
air connection is conventional Shrader tire valve, fits all standard air pumps and compressors.
12 foot long pull string.
smaller and lighter weight launcher (compared to the heavy duty plywood & steel Bigfoot Launcher)
economical price
reliable and long lasting
more portable (fits in a briefcase for travel and storage)
held up to 100 psi pressure without leaking
gave maximum thrust for blast off.
achieved 500 foot apogees with 2 liter bottles
fits any common sized soft drink bottle up to 2 liters
launches from straight up vertical to 45 degree angles
self powered trigger - powered by easy to find rubber bands.
stable on the ground (won't tip over)
provided practice for Science Olympiad
better than "official" launcher used by Science Olympiad.
had a pressure gauge on the launcher.
could be used on hard or soft ground surfaces.
worked with parachutes systems
allowed for low profile fin assembles that were far below bottle neck of "booster"
allowed for lowering the water level, while under pressure if water was over filled
allowed for aborting the launch, and de-pressuring without launching.

Special tooling was required to make it. The machined parts are mostly made of PVC.

To Use: You use a string to pull an aluminum pin out of a drilled hole in the outer telescoping tube, a rubber band provides the power to drop an internal telescoping tube that releases the rocket to launch.

Another interesting feature is that this launcher can launch rockets straight vertical, or you can mix up the positions of the legs to shoot are various angles. I also designed it so you can use either of the 1/2" internal launch tubes as a replacement leg to shoot at steeper (up to about 45 degree) angle!

All the parts thread together easily. O Rings give positive seal when connecting Little Foot Trigger to the Little Foot Tripod Leg Assembly.

Double O Rings seal Water Rockets on the Trigger.

Some photos below to illustrate a few things.

Close up views of trigger and launcher, showing pressure gauge.
A perfect 45 degree angle for launching. This is a great angle for long distance.
Shows 4 Little Foot Launchers nested close together to show that you could launch multible rockets at the same exact time for competition and comparison of rocket performance.
A view of the parts layed out.
Entire launcher fits in a standard brief case for travel. Probably could fit 3 or 4 launcher in one brief case!
Extra fins included. Just glue them on with a flexible urethane roofing/gutter adhesive, like "P L Premium" adhesive from your local hardware store.
The rubber tips for hard ground and the metal stakes that work GREAT in turf or soil.

Little Foot Water Rocket Launcher System - Built and Sold Since March 2006 - Redesigned in 2011 - and better than ever.
The LITTLE FOOT Launcher started on our 10th Year Anniversary Launcher (in 2006) for selling quality Water Rocket Launching Systems. Since 1996 we built and sold a robust launcher called the Bigfoot Water Rocket Launcher. In 2006, I designed a 2nd alternative trigger that also fit on the Bigfoot Launcher, just to give some variety to the launching experience. After getting several calls from several science teachers that wanted a launcher that they could travel with, the LITTLE FOOT launcher was born using the 2nd alternative trigger. Purpose of LITTLE FOOT WATER ROCKET LAUNCHER was to offer to following features: SAFE to use air connection is conventional Shrader tire valve, fits all standard air pumps and compressors. 12 foot long pull string. smaller and lighter weight launcher (compared to the heavy duty plywood & steel Bigfoot Launcher) economical price reliable and long lasting more portable (fits in a briefcase for travel and storage) held up to 100 psi pressure without leaking gave maximum thrust for blast off. achieved 500 foot apogees with 2 liter bottles fits any common sized soft drink bottle up to 2 liters launches from straight up vertical to 45 degree angles self powered trigger - powered by easy to find rubber bands. stable on the ground (won't tip over) provided practice for Science Olympiad better than "official" launcher used by Science Olympiad. had a pressure gauge on the launcher. could be used on hard or soft ground surfaces. worked with parachutes systems allowed for low profile fin assembles that were far below bottle neck of "booster" allowed for lowering the water level, while under pressure if water was over filled allowed for aborting the launch, and de-pressuring without launching. Special tooling was required to make it. The machined parts are mostly made of PVC. To Use: You use a string to pull an aluminum pin out of a drilled hole in the outer telescoping tube, a rubber band provides the power to drop an internal telescoping tube that releases the rocket to launch. Another interesting feature is that this launcher can launch rockets straight vertical, or you can mix up the positions of the legs to shoot are various angles. I also designed it so you can use either of the 1/2" internal launch tubes as a replacement leg to shoot at steeper (up to about 45 degree) angle! All the parts thread together easily. O Rings give positive seal when connecting Little Foot Trigger to the Little Foot Tripod Leg Assembly. Double O Rings seal Water Rockets on the Trigger. Some photos below to illustrate a few things. Close up views of trigger and launcher, showing pressure gauge. A perfect 45 degree angle for launching. This is a great angle for long distance. Shows 4 Little Foot Launchers nested close together to show that you could launch multible rockets at the same exact time for competition and comparison of rocket performance. A view of the parts layed out. Entire launcher fits in a standard brief case for travel. Probably could fit 3 or 4 launcher in one brief case! Extra fins included. Just glue them on with a flexible urethane roofing/gutter adhesive, like "P L Premium" adhesive from your local hardware store. The rubber tips for hard ground and the metal stakes that work GREAT in turf or soil.

Updated 03/08/11 - The Little Foot Water Rocket Launcher (as seen at left) Little Foot Water Rocket Launcher web page & Modified Goldenrod 140 AIR PUMP. Learn more at GOLDENROD 140 Air Pump web page. READ a good review about this pump on Amazon.com [click here]

Updated 03/08/11 - The Little Foot Water Rocket Launcher (as seen at left) Little Foot Water Rocket Launcher web page & Modified Goldenrod 140 AIR PUMP. `Learn more at GOLDENROD 140 Air Pump web page. READ a good review about this pump on Amazon.com [click here]`