Clark Cable Release
From YouWiki
The Clark Cable Release is a rocket-launching mechanism designed by an Australian citizen. It is widely used for launching Water Rockets, and is a popular mechanism for its simplicity and building ease.
[edit] The design
The Clark Cable Launcher has a cluster of cable ties, which are glued to the base of the launch tube and are held in an 'open' or 'sprung out' position by a washer (or bottle neck) which is connected to the launch tube just above the area where the stems of the cable ties are attached. A piece of tube of greater diameter fastens the rocket to the launch tube by holding the heads of the cable ties over the lip of the bottle-neck of the rocket. This holds the rocket nozzle onto/over the seal which prevents air and water from leaking out of the rocket. Air (or hydrogen/nitrogen/other propellent) is pumped into the rocket via a pipe inserted at the base of the launch tube. Once optimum or preferred pressure is reached, the thicker tube (that is securing the cable ties to the lip of the bottle) is pulled down by a string or remote device. This in turn allows the cable ties to spring to their open position, and releases the rocket. The rocket thrusts up the launch tube and continues on its trajectory.
