Parachute Rocketry
Build a water-propelled rocket with an autonomous parachute recovery system and electronic payload.
- Eligibility
- Classes 6–12
- Date
- 4 October 2026
- Location
- Haldwani, Uttarakhand
- Team size
- 1–4 participants per team
- Mode
- On-site
- Registration fee
- ₹2,000
About
The Parachute Water Rocket Challenge 2026 combines water-rocket propulsion, aerodynamics, recovery engineering, electronics, sensors and data collection.
The challenge
Can you make your rocket fly—and teach it when to come back? Teams must launch, fly stably, detect or trigger recovery, deploy a parachute, descend in control and recover safely.
What you need to do
Design a 2 L PET water rocket with a main parachute, optional payload recovery system and optional electronic payload. Engineer an approved non-pyrotechnic deployment mechanism and prove its reliability through mandatory ground testing.
How you are evaluated
- Main body parachute deployment
- Payload / satellite recovery
- Flight stability and flight time
- Engineering and innovation
Technical specifications
| Pressure vessel | Suitable 2 L PET beverage bottle |
|---|---|
| Launch pressure | 110 PSI |
| Launcher interface | 22.5 mm PVC pipe diameter / approximately 23 mm recommended launch interface |
| Main recovery | Main parachute mandatory |
| Payload recovery | Separate payload/satellite parachute permitted |
| Electronic payload | Optional; altitude, flight time, temperature, pressure, logging and telemetry may be implemented |
| Deployment mechanism | Approved non-pyrotechnic electrically actuated recovery system |
| Propulsion | Water and compressed air |
| Ground testing | Mandatory |
Key rules and safety
- Only suitable 2 L PET bottles may be used as pressure vessels.
- Bottles must be free from cracks, cuts, deep scratches, deformation, heat damage and chemical damage.
- Glass and damaged pressure vessels are prohibited.
- Launch pressure is standardized at 110 PSI and controlled exclusively by the Technical Team.
- Participants must not independently pressurise or operate the launcher.
- The main rocket body must have an approved parachute recovery system.
- Payload/satellite recovery systems must be securely attached where used.
- Parachute lines must be secure, untangled and have a clear deployment path.
- Electronics must be securely mounted and protected from accidental short circuits and water exposure.
- Electronics and wiring must not obstruct parachute deployment.
- Recovery systems must pass the mandatory ground-test protocol.
- Pyrotechnic, explosive, incendiary and chemical deployment mechanisms are prohibited.
- Any alternative recovery mechanism requires Technical Team approval.
- Unauthorized launcher modification or operation is prohibited.
This is a summary. The official guidelines document is the binding version and takes precedence in all cases.