Multistaging Water Rocket

2025

Two of us standing beside the finished rocket on its launch stand outside the school

For Maker Faire 2025, I worked with Suleiman Mohiuddin and Jay Kim to make a physical multistage water rocket and launch system. After we built the prototype, I re designed the rocket in CAD to make its staged form and connections clearer.

Methods: Physical prototyping, CAD, electronics
Tools: Tinkercad, Arduino

1. Process

We began by making the rocket physically. The built prototype brought together the body, the launch stand, and an Arduino based controller with a display and servo. Starting with a real assembly gave me a concrete reference for the next iteration rather than treating the rocket as a purely digital idea.

Physical water rocket prototype mounted on the launch stand

Physical water rocket prototype with its electronics exposed

Arduino breadboard controller with a display and servo

Circuit diagram connecting an Arduino, display and servo

After the physical prototype, I re designed the rocket in CAD. I modeled the two stages as connected pieces, then worked through the body sections, fins, coupler, and controller enclosure as distinct elements. The CAD model made the relationship between the stages visible and gives the design a clear basis for another physical version.

CAD close view of the coupler between the two stages

CAD view of the redesigned rocket with its two stages separated

CAD render of the redesigned rocket beside its controller enclosure

CAD view of the lower stage nozzle and the upper stage connection

2. Final Design

The project now holds both stages of the work: a physical prototype that was built and tested first, and a later CAD redesign that clarifies the multistage assembly. Making the prototype before modeling it gave the re design a direct connection to the real rocket, launch stand, and controller rather than starting from an abstract concept.

CAD view of the two rocket stages separated at the coupler