Piston Launchers - Get another 5% increase in altitude just by launching from a piston launcher! A piston launcher converts the hot exhaust gases from the rocket engine into high-pressure that kicks the rocket into the air at a faster velocity. Two sizes available for either 18mm or 24mm rocket engines.

The links below are known to be dead. They did contain some great and useful information. Fortunately, they can still be accessed in a web archive. The text will be present, but the graphic images may be lost.

To use the WayBack Machine, you may need to cut and past the URL into the web site http://www.archive.org. If you find any other dead links, don't give up. Try using the Wayback Machine! Please be patient, as the Wayback Machine can be slow...

http://www.azstarnet.com/%7Eelb/rockets/control.html Simple Launch Controller

http://www.schoolnet.ca/general/club-electrique/e/page30.html Design a simple model rocket launcher (elementary level)

http://www.azstarnet.com/%7Eelb/rockets/pad.html Launch Pad (somewhat complex)

http://hometown.aol.com/peterlynnc/cphead.html Tips for hooking up the copperhead igniter

http://c118618-a.frmt1.sfba.home.com/rockets/ Building a multi platform model
rocket launcher

Submit a teaching idea or a link

Return to Apogee's Model Rocket Educational Guide (homepage)

I just wanted to drop you a line to say thanks.  The last couple of years I have been away from my son, (I recently retired from the Military).  I wanted to make up for some lost time with him, do something that was both fun and educational.  I found it at ApogeeRockets.com!  I recently purchased your "First Time Flyer" package.  We went throught the videos and read the instructions.  We took off to a nearby field and had 3 successful launches in a row.  I haven't seen that look of amazement and joy on his face in quite sometime.  Thank you again.
-- Darryl M