DESCRIPTION:
Teams will design, construct, and launch rockets to stay aloft
the greatest amount of time. Contestants that do not bring
and wear approved Chemical/Splash Protection Goggles will not be
allowed to launch their rocket(s). See: http://www.soinc.org/general/protection/
A TEAM OF UP TO:
2APPROXIMATE TIME:30 min./6
min. for prep and launch
1)
CONSTRUCTION:IMPOUND:
Yes
a.
Students will bring one or two rockets to the tournament that
use a two-liter plastic carbonated beverage bottle with
approximately 2.2 cm internal diameter neck (1/2
inch Schedule 40 PVC pipe should just fit inside the neck
opening). Contestants should
keep and bring a journal recording all phases of
their rocket development.
The journal will be used for breaking ties.
b.
The structural integrity of the pressure vessel (2-liter bottle)
may not be altered. Examples of altering structural integrity
include but are not limited to physical, thermal or chemical
damage (e.g., cutting, sanding, using hot glues, or super
glues). Adhesive may be used to attach fins and other components
but must be limited to glue such as silicone adhesive,
polyurethane based adhesives and others that do not damage the
structural integrity of the pressure vessel.
c.Teams must verify the bottle used for the rocket's pressure chamber is a
carbonated beverage bottle by impounding with each rocket
another bottle of the same type with its label intact.
d.
Rockets may not use extenders that increase the 2L volume.
Commercial model rockets or model rocket parts may not
be used. The rocket(s) must be marked so that the judges can
identify to which team
they belong.
e.
Metal may be used, but may not be attached to or have direct
contact with the pressure vessel at any time. For safety,
rockets may not use sharp or pointed metal componentsor a
leading surface consisting of a rigid spike. The total mass
of the rocket and recovery device must be a minimum of 150 grams
for regional, 175 grams for state and 200 grams for national
tournaments. A balloon filled with dry sand is suggested if
ballast is needed. The total mass of the empty rocket and recovery device
cannot exceed 400 grams.
f.
Rocket components may separate in flight, but must remain
linked together.The maximum extended length of the
rocket and its components shall not exceed 3 meters.
g.
All propulsive energy imparted to the rocket must
originate from the water/air pressure combination provided by
the judges. Other forms of potential or kinetic energy may be
used for deployment of rocket recovery devices and other
components, but may not be used to slow the rockets descent.
Remote controls, pyrotechnics or pressurized gases (except for
the original air pressure) may not be used.
h.
Rockets may use any type of recovery device (including
parachutes) that is safe and doesn't violate the rules.
i.All rockets will be launched using the launcher provided
by the supervisor. Contestants are responsible for ensuring
their rocket is capable of launching from the launcher provided.To
insure rockets will fit on the launcher, fins and other parts
added to the bottle may not extend below the flange on the
bottle's neck. The portions of the parts and fins within the
bottles radius may not extend closer than 2 cm above the level
of the flange on the bottle's neck.
2)
THE COMPETITION:
a.All
rocketsmust be impounded before the start of the
competition and will be released after the last team has
finished competing. Once impounded, no physical alterations
may be made to the rocket. Appeals by teams will not be
processed after they remove their device from impound unless it
has been released by the appeals committee.
b.
Once teams enter the event area to compete, they may not leave
the area or receive outside assistance, materials or
communication until they have finished competing. Only
contestants and judges will be allowed in the event area while
teams are competing. Teams violating this rule will be
disqualified.
c.
When it's their turn,
contestants will pick up their rockets and proceed to the
designated staging area to prepare their recovery system.
After a safety inspection, the contestants will be
allowed six minutes to prepare and launch their rocket(s). The
six-minute time will include adjustments to the rockets, adding
water, launch of both rockets and timing of the first flight.
Contestants will not be allowed to add
water and launch their rockets without approved eye protection.
d.
Teams may not shield their rocket from the wind while on
the launcher.
e.
All rockets will be launched at a pressure requested by
the competitors, not to exceed 60 pounds per square inch. Once
the rocket is pressurized, contestant may not touch or approach
the rocket.
f.
Timing of the rocket stops when the first part of the
rocket hits a stationary object (ground, building, tree,
etc.) or when the rocket disappears from the judge’s sight.
All
rocket launch times will be recorded
to the nearest hundredth of a second.
Preferably three timers should be used and the middle
time should be recorded.
g.
Only one launch is allowed per rocket.
Any rocket
launched before the time expires will be scored.
h.
Each team will be asked to explain an entry in their journal
randomly chosen by the judges.
SCORING:
a.All rocket
launch times will be recorded
to the nearest hundredth of a second.
A team’s score will be the
flight time of the rocket that gives them the higher rank.
The greater flight time wins.
b.
Rockets whose parts do not remain linked while aloft will be
ranked by their flight timein a second tier
after those that remain linked.
c.
Rockets that violate any rule that doesn't have a specific
penalty will be ranked
in a third tier
by their flight time.
d.
Teams that attempt to participate but are unable to launch at
least one rocket for any reason will receive participation
point(s) only (e.g., participants did not have eye protection,
rockets failed safety inspection or rocket would not fit on
launcher).
e.
When
teams that launched two rockets each are tied, the winner
will be the team with the longer time aloft of the shorter
flight. Teams that launched two rockets will win ties
over teams that launched only one rocket.
Remaining ties will be broken using the team’s journal
and their explanation of the entry chosen by the judges.
