2007-08 Hybrid Motor High Powered Rocket Competition

Sponsored by the Florida Space Grant Consortium, Florida Space Institute

North East Florida Association of Rocketry (NEFAR)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (updated Dec 13, 2006)

The objective of the competition is to design and build a hybrid powered rocket.  There are two categories of competition to choose from; the first would be to reach the maximum altitude and the second would be to fly the rocket closest to 2000 feet in altitude.  There must be at least two teams competing in each category.  If there is only one team, it will be asked to move to the other category. 

1)      The rocket can be scratch built or from a kit.

2)      The engine must be a hybrid motor rated “G” or from a lower class.  The engine can be a scratch built or purchased from a company.  NOTE: If the motor is built from scratch a minimum of 2 documented test flights must be flown to demonstrate the safety and quality of the motor.

3)      Points will be awarded for the phases of the competition.  The flight is worth 80% of the total points and the teams Engineering Notebook is report is worth 20% of the total points.  The points for each part are as follows:

a.       Points for Flight

                                                               i.      100 pts for highest or closest to altitude

                                                             ii.      90 pts for 2^nd  highest or closest to altitude

                                                            iii.      80 pts or 3^rd highest or closest to altitude

                                                           iv.      70 pts for 4^th highest or closest to altitude

                                                             v.      0-12 pts for self built motor

                                                           vi.      0-5 pts for self built rocket

b.      Points for Engineering Notebook

                                                               i.      Rocksim or other software Simulations (30 pts)

                                                             ii.      Engineering Data (70 pts)

The engineering notebook will be a bound notebook which will have all of the team’s engineering data, calculations, drawings and sketches, test results, notes, ideas, meeting notes, etc.  This notebook will be returned to the teams on flight day.

This competition is open to any university team in Florida both public and private.

Part I - Proposal

University teams with faculty advisor must submit a 2 page proposal with a budget of up to $1000.00.  The proposal will include team name, project manager, the name of his alternate, and the category or categories the team plan to compete in.

All teams that submit a proposal will be able to take part in the competition and compete for the prizes.  At least 6 teams will be selected and awarded their budget of up to $1000 to build the rocket.  For teams that design their own engines, static testing and data from two test launches is expected.  The money will be provided as a contract to the faculty advisor as a cost reimbursable grant.  The grant can be used for supplies, motors, kits and travel.  Salary and capital expenditure is not allowed.

Part II – Reports & Flight

Teams will then build and test their rockets for flight and submit their engineering notebook due approximately 2 weeks before the launch.  Also, the program manger or their alternate representative from each team will be required to submit by email every 2 weeks with a “progress and accomplishment report” of no more then ½ page to reppig@mail.ucf.edu.  NOTE: There are no points awarded for submitting the Progress Reports however, points will be deducted for non-submittal.

Also, each team will be required to submit by email to reppig@mail.ucf.edu a Hazard Analysis and a Failure Modes & Effects Analysis by the time listed in the Timeline below.  The Hazard Analysis should focus on handing and use of the nitrous oxide and any pyrotechnic systems or materials.  The Failure Modes & Effects Analysis should focus on what kinds of things could go wrong with your launch equipment and rocket, as well as, what you have done to mitigate or reduce the identified failure modes.  These reports should be no more than 4 pages in length.  They should be updated and resubmitted as your designs evolve.  The reports are to show that you are ready to test and fly your rockets and motors safely.  Failure to submit these reports may result in your being removed from the competition. 

Teams will have their rockets and motors inspected for safety by a NEFAR representative just before launch.  NEFAR will sponsor the launch in at the club site in Bunnell.  To be awarded points for flight you must have a successful flight i.e. Launch, deployment of recovery system, and controlled landing.  All other flights will be judged on a case by case base.  NOTE: rockets deemed unsafe will not be allowed to fly in the competition until fixed and approved. 

Part III. - Prizes

The winning teams from each category will receive prize money according to the following chart.

Time line

Sept. 28^th: Proposal with Budget Deadline

Oct. 12^th: Announcement of winners and grant awarded to faculty advisor

Nov. 23^rd: Hazard Analysis, Failure Modes & Effects Analysis due.

Mar. 28^th: Engineering Notebook due at Florida Space Grant Offices.

Apr. 12^th: Launch (May 10^th: alternate date)

Altitude Determination

Altimeters

A recording barometric altimeter must be used to record data for competition.  While it is the duty of the Contest Director to provide the flier with the launch site specifications so the altimeter may be calibrated to the correct base altitude, it is up to flier to provide proof of a properly calibrated altimeter to the Contest Director upon request.

Determining Actual Altitude

The actual flight profile will be determined by the competition judges. The graph or other flight profile display provided by a recording device will be examined for accuracy. If it is shown that a sudden peak in altitude is attributable to the ejection charge, that peak will be not be used to determine the recorded altitude. The altitude just prior to or just after that sudden peak will be the official recorded altitude. The contestant may protest the judge’s altitude determination.

Other altimeters

Altimeters with altitude sensors other than barometric sensors, such as accelerometers or magnetic apogee detection, may be used to deploy the recovery systems. However, they are prohibited from use in determining the actual altitude.

Recovery System Deployment

Motor delay recovery system deployment is allowed.

Static Judging

Judges will score the team of the self built rocket and motor based on originality and performance

Motor Class Total Impulse

G or less: 160 Newton-seconds or less

Submit Proposal and Questions to:               Robert Eppig              321-452-9834 ext 218

reppig@mail.ucf.edu 

                                                                        Mail Stop: FSGC

                                                                        Center for Space Education

                                                                        Bldg.  M6-306, Room 7010

                                                                        Kennedy Space Center, FL 32899

2006-07 Winners

Closest to 2000 feet
First  Place FIT - Dr. Peebles, Team Leader - Stephen Choon

Others  - ERFSEDS - Dr. Perell, Team Leader - Jacklyn Duff
            -  ERAU AE445 - Dr. Perell, Team Leader - Drew Jeffrey
            - UCF - Dr. Brandenburg, Team Leader Amy Deguzman


Max. Altitude
First          - ERAU-ERPL - Dr. Bueno, Team Leader - Scott McNeely
Second    - UCF - Dr. Brandenburg, Team Leader - Amy Deguzman

Others   - ERAU AE445 - Dr. Perell, Team Leader - Heidi Glaudel
             - UCF-SEDS - Dr. Durcharme, Team Leader Jason Dunn