RockSim Virtual Rocket Contest #4 CONTEST - IS OVER! Contests:   All   Previous   Next

Essence's Model Rocketry Reviews (EMRR) is finally getting around to introducing our fourth "virtual" rocket contest. We are excited as these "virtual" contests have been an EMRR innovation and we see no limits. This time, we want to encourage more participation and use the inspiration from a new EAT kit. Therefore, welcome to our Newbie-Edge Tri-Roc "Virtual" Rocket Contest.

Grab your copy of RockSim (or the Demo version) and build a rocket that meets the requirements below and the "virtual flying" contest will take place on June 27, 2004.

Contest Requirements:

• RockSim Owners: Entry must be (3) RKT files (version 5+)
• RockSim DEMO Entries: Entry must include the following:
  • All the information from the Parts List
  • A drawing of your fins
  • Thickness of your fins (material is in Parts List)
  • Location of your fins with reference to the rear of the rocket in inches
• Name your Rocket
• Contestants may only have (1) entry
• Contestants must be on EMRR's Announcement List to be eligible
• 2% Bonus will be gained on each contest flight if you have never participated before: "Newbie-Edge"
• 1% Bonus will be gained on each contest flight if you build, fly and produce pictures of the rocket:
  • (1) Picture of the rocket static
  • (1) Picture of the rocket launching or descending
• Entries must be received by 6/26/2004.
• Contest will take place from 6/27 - 7/2.

CLICK HERE FOR Q A

CLICK HERE FOR Fine Print

RockSim Rocket Design Requirements:

• Rocket Design Specs:
  • Rocket Top:
    • Standardized. No changes allowed!
    • Start with this Rocket Top configuration:
      • RockSim 7
      • RockSim 6
      • RockSim 5
  • Motor Configuration:
    • Designer's choice (staged, cluster, or single)
    • At least 1 Rocket Bottom must use a cluster
    • Total Thrust allowed must be <81 Newton Seconds (e.g. single F motor, 4-D's, 1-E+2-D's, etc.)
    • These are valid Motors and Curves (virtual3.eng)
      (if you need assistance loading these, e-mail me)
      • If you use a Booster, the following are allowable Booster Motors:
        • Booster 24mm - C11-0, D12-0, E9-0
        • Booster 18mm - C6-0 or B6-0
        • Booster 13mm - A10-0
  • Body Design:
    • At least 1 Rocket Bottom must use a transition
  • Fins:
    • There must be 2 - 6 fins
    • Fins can not be any thinner than 1/8" of an inch
    • At least 1 Rocket Bottom must use two-sets of 2-6 fins per set
    • RockSIM 7x asymmetrical fins are allowed
  • Recovery:
    • The recovery means must fit into the 3" x 1.5" "coupler". (translation: parachute must be 24" or less)
    • Parachute or Streamer may be used
    • Landing speed must be < 15 feet/second vertical
• Materials must be standard weights that are in the Rocksim database
• Materials must be standard thicknesses that are in the Rocksim database
• Must include realistic recovery and launch lugs (motor hook is optional)
• NO CP Overrides
• NO Mass Overrides
• NO additional Mass Objects for adjusting weight and CP
  • Allowed Mass Objects are realistically sized/weight shock cord, eye-screws, etc. (but not added to the Rocket Top)
• Must have at least 1 caliber of stability (RockSim Based) when loaded with your selected motor(s)
• Select the Rocket Bottom part colors that your would like to see posted
  • RockSIM 7.04 decals and graphics are allowed (see here - PDF)
• Specifics
  • Rocket and Motor selection for Events #1, #2, and #3. These must each use a different Rocket Bottom.
    • Motor selection must match motor tube size, no adapters and no masking tape allowed
    • All motor tubes must have a motor assigned to them for each flight
  • Rocket and Motor selection for Event #4
    • Motor selection must match motor tube size, no adapters and no masking tape allowed
    • All motor tubes must have a motor assigned to them for each flight
  • You must select your 48" rod angles, each being less than +/- 31 degrees, for Event #4 (Drag Race) for three different wind conditions. Be sure to give the proper "plus" or "minus" sign indication:
    • 1) 2-7 mph some variability
    • 2) 5-10 mph some variability
    • 3) 7-12 mph some variability

Contest Events:

• Your rockets will participate in (5) events and will accumulate a total score:
  1. Speed: Your first of three rockets will fly in RockSim 7 default conditions with your choice of motor configuration. The objective is to attain the Maximum Velocity possible. - See Results
  2. Altitude: Your second of three rockets will fly in RockSim 7 default conditions with your choice of motor configuration. It will then fly with a "contest impulse motor combination"*, a "contest mass-override"*, and in RockSim 7 default conditions. The objective is to have the highest combined altitude and a safe landing within the field. The placement score will be the Altitude (ft). - See Results
  3. Low Stress: Your third of three rockets will fly in RockSim 7 default conditions with your choice of motor configuration. The objective is to attain the lowest Velocity at Deployment possible. - See Results
  4. The Drag Race: your rocket will compete in an all-rocket drag race with and your choice of motor combination. All will fly at once in three races with your selected launch rod angle. The flight must have an acceptable landing speed and within the field. Placement will be based on 1) Fastest to clear launch rail (sec) with 48" rod; 2) Longest time to landing (sec), and 3) Lowest Range (closest to pad in feet). - See Results
  5. Eye-Appeal: your three rockets will be voted on to determine the best looking and most creative "Tri-Roc" combination. The objective is to have your rocket "catch" the eye of the beholder. - See Results
• DQ Conditions
  • Deployment fail as determined by RockSIM
  • Descent/Landing must be < 15 feet/sec vertical
  • Landing must be within the field (4000 feet with 1000 foot drift zone)
• DQ Results
  • No results for just that event (you will get 1 point in the placement score)
  • Lost rocket is only lost for that event

* NOTE: All "contest" settings and entries will not be disclosed until all entries are in!

• • Submission Checklist
    • (3) RockSIM RKT files from any version/demo
    • Rocket Name (single name)
    • Rocket and Motor selection for Contest #1, #2, and #3. These must all be a different rocket.
    • Rocket and Motor selection for Contest #4
    • Launch Rod angles for #4

PRIZE TABLE:

Anonymous Guest	(1) Complete RockSim Software Package
Apogee Components	Get the first 121 issues of the "Peak-of-Flight" Newsletter
Art Applewhite Rockets	Any Style Flying Saucer of your choice of design up to a 29mm motor mount.
	EAT's Triatomic Production Unit #2
JonRocket.com	$20 Gift Certificate
RocketFlite	One complete Electric Match Package: 1- ML-KIT, 1-bag of ML-12, ML-24, ML-48 and ML-72 each
Rockethead Rockets	(1) Battle Axe Kit and (1) Large Parachute Assortments Set
Thrustline	One "The Black Shadow" kit.
U.S. Rockets	(1) 1.22" x 27" kit for 29mm and 24mm motors: Fire Forget
Xavien	(1) Newly Released "XCC-1" XAVIEN Camera Controllers

Let the Games Begin!

NAME OF ENTRANT	NAME OF ROCKET	FILES	Final STANDING!
#9 - Bill Krosney	TriRoc-o-Soar-Us		1
Speed:   Length=17.5"   Weight=3.38 oz Altitude:   Length=25.5"   Weight=3.51 oz Low Stress:   Length=23.9"   Weight=3.67 oz Newbie Bonus:    No - 2nd competition Key Finishes:   Event #1 - Fastest by 25 fps   Event #3 - Nearly 0 fps	Click each picture to see a larger, angled 3D Image SPEED ALTITUDE LOW STRESS DRAG RACE
EMRR Comments: I'd like to see Bill win the choice of the Triatomic kit so he can finish it like this! How do you make paint do that? Well, it is a "virtual" contest.

#3 - Bob Cox	The Many Tails of Zeus		2
Speed:   Length=19.7"   Weight=3.71 oz Altitude:   Length=22.5"   Weight=3.46 oz Low Stress:   Length=24.7"   Weight=4.93 oz Newbie Bonus:    No - 3rd competition Key Finishes:   Event #3 - Nearly 0 fps   Event #2 - Highest by 1,700ft   Drag Race #2	Click each picture to see a larger, angled 3D Image SPEED (Fast Tail) ALTITUDE (High Tail) LOW STRESS DRAG RACE (Soft Tail)
EMRR Comments: First veteran competitor and thinnest tailed rocket I have ever seen. Be sure to expand the pics to see some of his fin details.

#10 - Bruce Levison	Der BLU MAX		2
Speed:   Length=18.5"   Weight=3.81 oz Altitude:   Length=19.1"   Weight=3.85 oz Low Stress:   Length=23.5"   Weight=6.41 oz Newbie Bonus:    No - 4th competition Key Finishes:   Event #5 - Eye-Appeal running away!   Drag Race #1	Click each picture to see a larger, angled 3D Image SPEED DRAG RACE ALTITUDE LOW STRESS
EMRR Comments: Bruce is a master of RockSIM. No one can deny that. He can make it sim many types of rockets and has wrote many articles on it. Okay, we can see that he can now use the texture feature of 7.04... but can he turn theory into "virtual" practice?

#7 - Scott Messina	Quick Thinkin’ in Blue Skies!!		4
Speed:   Length=17"   Weight=3.8 oz Altitude:   Length=23"   Weight=3.8 oz Low Stress:   Length=26"   Weight=5.06 oz Newbie Bonus:    Yes    RockSIM Demo Entry Key Finishes:	Click each picture to see a larger, angled 3D Image SPEED DRAG RACE ALTITUDE LOW STRESS
EMRR Comments: I always appreciate a Demo submission, because these folks have challenged to test without saving and then submit it to be "built" by someone else.

#4 - Frank Ross	Ternary Phlyer		5
Speed:   Length=25.8"   Weight=4.4 oz Altitude:   Length=22.5"   Weight=4.74 oz Low Stress:   Length=30.5"   Weight=6.67 oz Newbie Bonus:    No - 4th competition Key Finishes:	Click each picture to see a larger, angled 3D Image SPEED ALTITUDE LOW STRESS DRAG RACE
EMRR Comments: First to utilize RockSIM 7.04's decal feature and check out the wings! Very cool!

#2 - Todd Mullin	Troika		6
Speed:   Length=32.5"   Weight=7.84 oz Altitude:   Length=25.4"   Weight=4.67 oz Low Stress:   Length=30.5"   Weight=8.43 oz Newbie Bonus:    Yes Key Finishes:	Click each picture to see a larger, angled 3D Image SPEED (Need For Speed) ALTITUDE DRAG RACE (Mile High) LOW STRESS (Mother's Little Helper)
EMRR Comments: Whoa! A three-stage Altitude rocket. Rock(et) and Roll. Check out the 3D image of his Mother's Helper (Todd says think Rolling Stones when considering the name).

#8 - Joe Policy	A Tail of Three Rockets		7
Speed:   Length=26"   Weight=5.08 oz Altitude:   Length=19"   Weight=5.2 oz Low Stress:   Length=17"   Weight=4.72 oz Newbie Bonus:    No - 2nd competition Key Finishes:   Drag Race #3	Click each picture to see a larger, angled 3D Image SPEED DRAG RACE ALTITUDE LOW STRESS
EMRR Comments: Doesn't the altitude look a lot like a Screamin' Mimi. Will it "scream" past the competition? Joe's Low Stress also looks like something I would enjoy building... colors and fin shape.

#1 - Neil Thompson	Rapier		8
Speed:   Length=25.1"   Weight=4.59 oz Altitude:   Length=22.3"   Weight=4.29 oz Low Stress:   Length=31.5"   Weight=6.89 oz Newbie Bonus:    Yes Key Finishes:	Click each picture to see a larger, angled 3D Image SPEED ALTITUDE LOW STRESS DRAG RACE
EMRR Comments: I always enjoy 1st entries, and in this case from a new Virtual Rocket competitor!

#5 - Chan Stevens	Trip'ing the Light Fantastic		8
Speed:   Length=23.8"   Weight=3.37 oz Altitude:   Length=26.6"   Weight=3.27 oz Low Stress:   Length=23.5"   Weight=5.45 oz Newbie Bonus:    No - 4th competition Key Finishes:   Drag Race #3	Click each picture to see a larger, angled 3D Image SPEED DRAG RACE ALTITUDE LOW STRESS
EMRR Comments: Chan calls the Speed rocket the "virtual-cigar". Does it smoke the competition? We'll see. I love the looks of his Low Stress entry.

#11 - Clive Davis	Diminished Fifth		10
Speed:   Length=22.8"   Weight=3.77 oz Altitude:   Length=25.5"   Weight=4.12 oz Low Stress:   Length=26.9"   Weight=5.47 oz Newbie Bonus:    No - 4th competition Key Finishes:	Click each picture to see a larger, angled 3D Image SPEED DRAG RACE ALTITUDE LOW STRESS
EMRR Comments: Clive said, "Not quite sure if I had a chance to test all kinds of variables, but I'm sending it in anyhow." Is this a preparatory excuse, or a way of making the competitors over confident? Hmmmm?

#6 - Bill Toner	Triple Threat		11
Speed:   Length=26"   Weight=6.72 oz Altitude:   Length=20.4"   Weight=6.85 oz Low Stress:   Length=30.5"   Weight=5.86 oz Newbie Bonus:    Yes Key Finishes:	Click each picture to see a larger, angled 3D Image SPEED ALTITUDE LOW STRESS DRAG RACE
EMRR Comments: New-comer, Bill Toner, went with the red-white-blue theme and said he learned a lot about RockSIM through this contest. Bill... think about composites.

EVENT #1: Speed: Your first of three rockets will fly in RockSim 7 default conditions with your choice of motor configuration. The objective is to attain the Maximum Velocity possible.

• Comments: The F50 was clearly the motor of choice, as long as the design supported it. Look how close the top 5 were to each other!

EVENT #2: Altitude: Your second of three rockets will fly in RockSim 7 default conditions with your choice of motor configuration. It will then fly with a "contest impulse motor combination"*, a "contest mass-override"*, and in RockSim 7 default conditions. The objective is to have the highest combined altitude and a safe landing within the field. The placement score will be the Altitude (ft).

• Comments: I think we can all see what Bob worked on the most. Interestingly, the setting to 8oz and using some created "F" motors didn't move the results around from the "as submitted" design.

EVENT #3: Speed: Your first of three rockets will fly in RockSim 7 default conditions with your choice of motor configuration. The objective is to attain the Maximum Velocity possible.

• Comments: Can you say "perfect"? Look at Bill's and Bob's. It is interesting that 5 of the 11 used their cluster rocket for this contest.

EVENT #4: The Drag Race: your rocket will compete in an all-rocket drag race with and your choice of motor combination. All will fly at once in three races with your selected launch rod angle. The flight must have an acceptable landing speed and within the field. Placement will be based on 1) Fastest to clear launch rail (sec) with 48" rod; 2) Longest time to landing (sec), and 3) Lowest Range (closest to pad in feet).

• Comments: Look above (below for picture) at everyone's three rockets and what they selected for the Drag Race. Five picked their Speed rocket, one picked his Altitude rocket, and five picked their Low Stress rocket. Especially notable is Frank Ross' Low Stress winged-rocket!

Drag #1:

Drag #2:

Drag #3:

EVENT #5: Eye-Appeal: your three rockets will be voted on to determine the best looking and most creative "Tri-Roc" combination. The objective is to have your rocket "catch" the eye of the beholder.

• Comments: The voting was really interesting here, but in the end the winner was the one that did the most with the 7.04 Decal feature. Hopefully manufacturers will discern the "eye-appeal" decals add and start putting them in their kits.

OVERALL:

• Comments: Everything is now FINAL. Fun contest! More ideas for my EAT Triatomic.
• 40% of the contestants were Newbies, so that is good and positive. The bonus didn't do much for them so I'll need to work on that for other contests. Lost a bunch of contestants from other contests. Perhaps they'll be back along with our Newbies in the next contest.
• Oh, yes, the next contest will be run by Bob Cox (that way I can compete!) I'm taking voluteers for the running the contest after that. It will be hosted on EMRR and I'll still take care of all the web-stuff.

QA

• How does this Bonus thing work?
  • The 1% (or 2%) bonus improves your virtual flights by 1%. For example if you fly to 1540 feet, you will be recorded at 1555 feet. Yes, not much, but we suspect some very close competition.
• 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.
• How are Contest Points scored?
  • Each of the first 3 events have a "placement score" described. That placement score will then be reversed ranked by the total number of entries. This will give the maximum number of points to the winner in the event. For example, if there are (4) entries and in contest #2 (maximum altitude) and entry #1 gets 800 feet, #2 810 feet, #3 750 feet and #4 950 feet. Then the scores will be 2 points for #3, 3 points for #1, 1 point for #2 and 4 points for #4.
• How's this Drag Race work?
  • I guess the best way to answer, is to show you. Here is "Virtual" Contest #3's - here
• You say materials must be those listed in RockSim ... can I build/design any part using those materials?
  • Yes, you may, except the body tubes which must come from the database. Other parts: this does not imply that you have to take the part from the database.
• For the competition conditions the Model loss: at 25% seems rather high. . .
  • Launch site diameter:- This is the diameter of the launch site. Any rockets landing within this circle are not considered lost.<BR>Max. model drift range: - This specifies the maximum drift range beyond the outside of the Launch site diameter. Any rockets that drift beyond this range are considered lost.
    Model loss- This is the percent chance of a model falling outside the Launch site diameter being lost.
    
    So the field size is 4000 feet, with an extra 1000 feet drift range. In that 1000 feet drift range there is a 25% change of losing the rocket. Outside of that 1000 foot drift range, in others words outside of 5000 feet, the rocket is considered lost. So going for very, very high is one thing, but ensuring your rocket comes back is more important.
  • NOTE: If you have 7.00 - 7.01 this feature has a bug in it. So don't get frustrated with the results. Apogee will has corrected this. You should work hard to keep it within the range of the field.
• You also have an ignition delay specified but do not include igniter variability for Drag Races, why did you do that?
  • It is a default, but unless the igniter box is checked the delay time is not activated.
• Aren't the RockSim 5 and 6 users going to be upset about not being able to use the RockSim 7 variations?
  • The point here is that everyone can compete. Their submissions will be converted to RS 7 for the competitions. They will miss out on some testing and the asymmetrical fin capability, but like in life, some compete with better training facilities than others... doesn't mean better facilities make for winners.
• I've downloaded the virtual3.eng file. How do I get RockSim to ONLY use those motors and ignore the other motors or other .eng files?
  • Put the ENG file in the DATA directory for RockSIM
  • Run Compile Engine program
  • Select only virtual3.eng and ---> move it over
  • Click Compile
  • Start RockSIM
• NO CP or Mass overrides. But... are the CP and mass overrides present for database objects OK? i.e. I select an Estes NC, or eye-hook that has entered a CP and mass override, is that OK?
  • Yes, Database CP's okay.

• In staging composite motors for the contest file, does one need to include "virtual electronics," i.e. staging timers?
  • No

• Delayed Ignition: Are we allowed to use non-zero ignition delays (air starts)?
  • No

• 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 "Default conditions show a 36" launch rod, but the directions show 48". Which one are you planning to use?
  • 36" for all except Event #4, which will be 48"

• "The rocket top is standardized, no changes allowed." However, if I am building the rocket bottom of a smaller diameter, can I mount my launch lug on the rocket top?
  • Yes.

• "At least 1 Rocket Bottom must use two-sets of 2-6 fins per set". Does that mean 'per stage'? If for example one of my designs is a two-stage bottom (i.e. booster and sustainer), and each has a set of fins, does that satisify the "Rocket Bottom must use two fin-sets" design criteria?
  • Yes.

The winners agree to write a kit review using the format guidelines included in EMRR's site. Previous winners are eligible for future Rocket Give-Away. EMRR assumes no responsibility for the kit once it leaves our location. EMRR is not liable for any damages or injury caused by the assembly or use of the kit.