NASA Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium
High School Rocket Competition 2008-2009

The NASA Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium (WSGC) announces the High School Student Rocket Design Competition. This competition is an opportunity for students to design and construct rockets to be launched at a competition in the spring of 2009 from the Richard Bong Recreational Area.

Up to eight teams will be selected to take part in this competition. To qualify for the competition, the educator/mentor of interested teams' of from two to seven* students will be required to submit a Notice of Intent to compete. The WSGC will fund project construction for participating teams with budgets of up to $500** each with the amount based on a 1:1 match. The WSGC encourages community involvement. WSGC will also provide teams with specific hardware as noted below.

Selected teams must construct a rocket out of 35% recyclable*** materials as defined below that is designed to reach an altitude closest to ½ mile (2,640 feet) above ground level as dictated by the review committee.  The rocket must land safely and be able to fly again within one hour.  Winning teams will be automatically selected by NASA to participate in their Student Launch Initiatives program culminating in a launch near Huntsville, AL in the Spring of 2010.  Winning teams will receive up to $500** in matching funding to participate in the NASA Student Launch Initiatives program. The competition will include design analysis, oral presentation and launch results.

Purpose
The mission of NASA's Wisconsin Space Grant Consortium is to implement a coordinated statewide program of education, research, and outreach programs to maintain and enhance America's leadership and Wisconsin's future in space and aerospace science, design, and technology. To carry out this mission, WSGC sponsors a broad range of programs relevant to its mission and objectives.

It is the purpose of this Announcement of Opportunity to support the innovative, visionary projects that are designed to fully realize WSGC's goal of assisting in training the next generation of aerospace professionals.

Eligibility

• Students must be a full-time student at a Wisconsin high school or accredited home school, grades 9-12
• Teams must have an educator/mentor from an accredited school or group (i.e. girl scouts, 4H, Tripoli) who will interact on their behalf with the WSGC. The Educator/mentor must have a background in high-powered rocketry or must pair with another adult that has that background. The Educator/mentor must act as a mentor only, students should be responsible for the construction and design of their own rockets.
• At least one team member must have competed in the Rockets for Schools level two competition.

Supplied Equipment:

• Altimeter inserted at time of launch 1.8 in. dia. x 7.0 in.3.0 oz.
• One motor selected by each team from the following list: H112J, H161W, H999N, I218R, I245G, I357T

Flight Parameters:
Altitude closest to 2,640 feet (1/2 mile) as dictated by the review committee.

Interested students with questions about the capabilities of the launch motors should access http://www.thrustcurve.com. Those seeking help in getting started are highly encouraged to contact Frank Nobile (Maxq3@aol.com) or Bob Justus (bob@mhbofni.com) of Tripoli Rocket Association (a high-power rocketry association). Students interested in gaining information or experience by observing rocket launches are encouraged to contact these individuals, or to attend one of the regular rocket launches held by Tripoli at Bong Recreational Area. More information and launch schedules can be accessed at http://www.tripoliwisconsin.org.

Other Competition Parameters
The total score for each student team will be based on several parameters: 

Students will also be required to give an oral presentation of their design report before the launch and submit their rocket for a safety inspection. Determination of the score for flight performance will include staying within close proximity to altitude requirements, and the safe function and recovery of all flight equipment. The Tripoli High Power Safety Code will be used. Safety and a more detailed description of requirements will be discussed after teams are selected.

NOI Requirements
Notices of Intent to Compete (NOIs) should consist of: 1) a list of team members  including names, schools, accredited group if other than school mentioned, addresses, email address (if known) 2) an educator/advisor with contact information, including email address, and group affiliation, and 3) a statement of intent to submit a suitable rocket design and to abide by the parameters of the competition.  A waiver from parents will be required once teams are chosen. So that the WSGC may better determine the level of experience in rocketry, please note any prior rocketry experience, including past participation in Rockets for Schools and at what level.
 
The proposing team educator/advisor is responsible for collecting all data necessary and submitting it to the WSGC Program Office assuring the data collected is correct. Questions should be directed to Sharon D. Brandt, Associate Director for Outreach at brandts@uwgb.edu or 920.465.2941.  The NOI and required contact information should be submitted to brandts@uwgb.edu with a subject line of High School Rocket.

Notice of Intent to Compete due:  January 9, 2009
Selection date:  January 14, 2009
Launch Competition:  Spring of 2009, to be announced
  
* Team with more than seven members will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
**Based upon availability of funds.
***Recyclable materials:  materials that have been clearly used before, but not for any aviation or aerospace use, including rockets.