RockSim Virtual Rocket Contest CONTEST - IS OVER! Contests:   All   Previous   Next

After two and a half years.... it's back! Essence's Model Rocketry Reviews (EMRR) is very happy to introduce a new "virtual" rocket contest. This was created by Todd Mullin and he will be our contest host.

The theme for this contest is VIRTUAL KITBASH.

In this contest you must choose two classic or current production kits and kit bash them based on standard kit-bash rules! The kits can be any size from Micro Maxx up to High Power. You will then fly all three rockets in a variety of events with standard motors.

NOTE:
Participating in this contest counts toward the 2010 EMRR Challenge.

Contest Requirements:

• RockSim Owners: Entry must be (3) RKT files (any version)
• RockSim DEMO Entries: Entry must be from version 9 Demo
• Non-RockSim Entries: Entry must include all the details necessary to recreate the rocket in RockSim, which can then be tested in the RockSim version 9 Demo "
• Name your Kit-bashed Rocket
• Contestants may only have (1) entry per event
  • Submitted Entries can be changed up to the time of the deadline.
• Contestants must be on EMRR's eList to be eligible
• Build Bonus: Bonus points will be gained if you build, fly and produce pictures of the kit-bashed rocket with commercial motors:
  • +1 point for picture of the rocket static
  • +1 point for picture of the rocket launching or descending
• Newbie Bonus: To encourage new contestants, bonus points will be awarded to first- and second-time contestants
  • +1.6 points for first-time entrants
  • +0.5 points for second-time entrants
• Early Bird Bonus: To reduce log-jams near the contest deadline early entrants will receive bonus points, based on the time they submit a qualified design that does not change.
  • If there are 10 entrants or less, the early-bird bonus will be +0.9 points for first entrant +0.8 points for second entrant etc. to 0.1 points for 9th entrant
  • If there are more than 10 entrants, the early-bird bonus will be (0.1 * Number of later entrants).
  • No early bird bonus during final week, regardless of order of entry
• Bonus points are added to the final score.
• Entries must be received by 5/31/2010.
• Contest results will take place from After that :)

RockSim Rocket Design Requirements:

• Body Tubes:
  • All tubing must come from RockSim database.
  • Tubing sections may not be longer than their database default lengths.
  • Tubing sections must be joined by realistic couplers, bulkheads, transitions, centering rings, or sleeves.
  • There is no minimum length of combined tubes.
• Transitions:
  • All transitions must have realistic forward and aft shoulders where required.
• Fins:
  • Each fin must have a semi-span and a root length equal or greater than half the diameter of the tube it is mounted to in the kit-bashed model.
  • Fins can not be any thinner than 3/16 (0.188") of an inch if balsa, cardboard, or paper, or 1/16" (0.063") if stronger material.
  • Tube fins and ring fins are allowed, but must have both their mass and drag accounted for.
• Recovery:
  • Parachute, streamer or tumble recovery.
  • Parachute and Streamers must be at least 0.001" thick.
  • Minimum size: Speed at landing must be less than 20 feet/sec.
  • Must include a realistic shock cord.
  • Dual Deployment and Electronics are NOT allowed.
  • Recovery activated by motor ejection
• Motor Configuration:
  • You must choose your motor(s) for each Event
  • Clustered motors are allowed.
  • Staging occurs at burnout of the booster.
  • All motors contained in this file are valid.
  • Motor size may be one size smaller than the motor mount tube (i.e. 13 mm in 18 mm, 18 mm in 24 mm).
  • No manual modification of the .eng file
  • Motor overhang will be the default 0.5 inches unless told otherwise.
  • Delayed ignition is allowed for up to 3 seconds
  • Any motor in the database may be used for staged configuration (not just black powder)
• Other:
  • Launch lugs are OPTIONAL on the kit-bashed model. We will be flying from our trusty virtual 3-foot tower.
  • Materials must be standard weights that are in the Rocksim database
  • Materials must be standard thickness that are in the Rocksim database
  • NO CP Overrides
  • NO Mass Overrides (other than those in the standard RockSim database)
  • Mass Objects ARE allowed for adjusting CG
  • Kit-bashed model must have at least 1 caliber of stability (RockSim Based) when loaded with your selected motor(s)
  • Select the rocket part colors and decals that your would like to see posted

Contest Events:

Your rockets will participate in six events and will accumulate a total score. All events will use a 3-foot (36") launch tower and your choice of motor configuration for each event. For each event, you must also choose a launch angle, no more than +/- 20 degrees.

• RockSIM Conditions (Unless otherwise specified)
• LAUNCH CONDITIONS (simulation/prepare for launch)
• CONTEST CONDITIONS (simulation/prepare for launch)
• SIMULATION PROPERTIES (simulation/prepare for launch)
• ROCKET DESIGN ATTRIBUTES (design page)
• SIMULATION SETTINGS (edit/preferences)
• Launch Guide Length: 36 inches
• DQ Conditions:
  • Your landing speed is higher than 20 feet/sec.
• DQ Results:
  • No points just for that event.

1. Event #1: Create a virtual model of any two classic or current commercial production kits. Sorry, you can't use any of your own scratch built designs. At least one of the two rockets must be multi-staged. Provide a scan or link to instructions for parts verification. This event will be judged on accuracy to the original specifications of the kits. 1 event point will be awarded for each accurately modeled part and 5-10 event points will be awarded for decals and paint based on degree of difficulty. Contest points will be awarded based on event point rankings. Obviously an accurately modeled Interceptor with a good finish is worth many more points than a badly finished Mosquito…
2. Event #2:Using the models from event #1, you must make two flights, one with each model. One flight will attempt to land 500 feet upwind and the other will be 500 feet downwind. You decide which rocket to use for each target, but the original recovery system must be used for each flight and the staged rocket must be flown with all stages. The flights with the combined lowest total of distance from the targets takes the event!
3. Event #3: Using the multi-staged model, make a flight that the bottom stage stages closest to 500 feet, with apogee closest to 1500 feet. The flights with the combined lowest total of distance from the target altitudes takes the event! All stages must be flown, -0 delay motors must be used in booster stages. Electronic staging is not allowed.
4. Event #4: Kitbash! Your new design must be at multi-staged. Standard kitbash rules apply... Use anything that comes with the kit. Parts can be cut down, but you can't add anything besides virtual paint and decals. Document which part comes from which rocket. The winning design will be determined by a popular vote of EMRR visitors.
5. Event #5: Drag Race using kitbashed model. Your rocket will fly on any motor and at a launch angle of your choosing. The score for this event will be based on a combined ranking from each of these categories:
   5a) Fastest time to clear the tower
   5b) Longest time to landing
   5c) Closest landing to pad

CLICK HERE FOR Q A

CLICK HERE FOR Fine Print

Submission Checklist:

• RockSim RKT files for each rocket
• Scan of or link to kit instructions for each kit
• If "Decals" are used:
  • Screen Shot image of each design
  • Image files of rockets with decals
• Kit-bashed Rocket Name.
• List of sources of each kit-bashed part (i.e. nosecone from kit #1, 12" bt-20 from kit #2, fin material from kit #1, etc.)
• Motor and rod angle selections for the events
• Launch angle limited to +/- 20 degrees.
• Be sure to give the proper "plus" or "minus" sign indication. "
• - degree is launching a rocket upwind
• + degree is launching a rocket downwind "
• Please put in Subject of all e-mails "VRC-14 Entry - Your Name"

     SUBMIT to HERE:           

PRIZE TABLE^*:
(Even if you can't play or win, thank these sponsors by supporting them!)

PRIZE SELECTION: The normal prize selection procedure for EMRR is that at the end of the contest winners will get an e-mail THROUGH THE eList asking them to acknowledge by reply within a week. Prize selection is done through this e-mail exchange.

Apogee Components	(1) copy of Building Skill Levels 1, 2 and 3 DVD Videos Combo Pack
Art Applewhite Rockets	Any Style of Flying Saucer kit of your choice of design up to a 29mm motor mount.
SpaceCAD	(1) SpaceCAD Registration License (SCEMRR-9844)
Starlight Rockets	$25.00 Shopping Spree from Starlight Rocketry Products
Midland Rocketry	$30.00 Shopping Spree from RocketGarden

Let the Games Begin!

Newbies should click here.

ROCKETEER	NAME OF ROCKET TEAM	FILE	BONUSES BB  EEB  NB			Final Standing
#1 - Alan Boldt	Black Hole	ZIP 13.4M	-	1.6	-	1
(Click to Enlarge)
Alan combines a Semroc Maruader and Semroc Starfire
#2 - Dale Marshall	Master Daddy		-	1.6	2	2
(Click to Enlarge)
Dale combines a Sunward Daddy Long Legs and Sky Master
#3 - Duane Boldt	The Louisianna Swamp Thing	ZIP 2.3M	0.9	1.6	-	3
(Click to Enlarge)
Duane combines a Semroc April Dancer and Semroc Texas Firefly
#4 - Ismael Pacheco	Black Cat	ZIP 7.1M	-	1.6	-	4
(Click to Enlarge)
Ismael combines a Semroc Maruader and Semroc Thunder Chief
#5 - Preston Hoover	Interspace Warship USS Falcon		-	1.6	-	5
(Click to Enlarge)
Preston combines a couple of his own designs to make a third design.

Event #1: Create a virtual model of any two classic or current commercial production kits. Sorry, you can't use any of your own scratch built designs. At least one of the two rockets must be multi-staged. Provide a scan or link to instructions for parts verification. This event will be judged on accuracy to the original specifications of the kits. 1 event point will be awarded for each accurately modeled part and 5-10 event points will be awarded for decals and paint based on degree of difficulty. Contest points will be awarded based on event point rankings. Obviously an accurately modeled Interceptor with a good finish is worth many more points than a badly finished Mosquito…

Event #2:Using the models from event #1, you must make two flights, one with each model. One flight will attempt to land 500 feet upwind and the other will be 500 feet downwind. You decide which rocket to use for each target, but the original recovery system must be used for each flight and the staged rocket must be flown with all stages. The flights with the combined lowest total of distance from the targets takes the event!

Event #3: Using the multi-staged model, make a flight that the bottom stage stages closest to 500 feet, with apogee closest to 1500 feet. The flights with the combined lowest total of distance from the target altitudes takes the event! All stages must be flown, -0 delay motors must be used in booster stages. Electronic staging is not allowed.

Event #4: Kitbash! Your new design must be at multi-staged. Standard kitbash rules apply... Use anything that comes with the kit. Parts can be cut down, but you can't add anything besides virtual paint and decals. Document which part comes from which rocket. The winning design will be determined by a popular vote of EMRR visitors.

Event #5: Drag Race using kitbashed model. Your rocket will fly on any motor and at a launch angle of your choosing. The score for this event will be based on a combined ranking from each of these categories:
5a) Fastest time to clear the tower
5b) Longest time to landing
5c) Closest landing to pad

QA

• If we submit a design and it doesn't qualify for some reason, are we allowed to rework the design and resubmit or even submit a new design?
  • Yes, either, both...we will review them and let you know.

• What is the measure for the one caliber rocket stability requirement Barrowman or Rocksim?
  • RockSim.

• How are Contest Points scored?
  • o An event "placement score" is determined based on your rank. First place gets 10 points, second place 8 points, third place 6 points, fourth place 4 points, fifth place 3 points, sixth place 2 points, seventh place and below get 1 flight point. If you DQ your score would be zero (must be a qualified flight to score).
  • Your overall ranking will be based on your total score for the five events.
  • All Bonuses will be applied after all points are scored.

• Aren't the RockSim 8 and less going to be upset about not being able to use the latest RockSim variations?
  • No, RockSim 9.0 Demo is now available at Apogee

• How about using the other software?
  • Okay. What do you have? We will need to build up your model in RockSim 9.0 to participate.

• Drag coefficient: Should we use the default Cd (0.75 for sustainer, 0.78 and 0.80 for boosters), or should we calculate Cd at simulation time?
  • Calculate at Simulation Time. Also, it will be set to "Use the Rocksim Simulation equation in simulations".

* The actual number of prizes issued will not except 3/4ths of the number of contest entries (e.g. if there are 10 prizes and only 10 entries, only 7 prizes will be issued). EMRR assumes no responsibility for the prize once it leaves our or the prize donor's location. EMRR is not liable for any damages or injury caused by the assembly or use of the prize.