Contest Is Now Closed – Results Are In!

St. Augustine Rocketeers is proud to announce its partnership with Discount Rocketry to bring you our first Virtual Rocket Contest!* Using OpenRocket, a free, fully featured model rocket simulator, build a rocket that meets the requirements below and we will have a virtual ‘flying’ contest on January 8, 2021.

Contest Requirements

  • Entry must be (1) OpenRocket ork file
  • Name your Rocket
  • Contestants may only have (1) entry
  • Contestants must register (see form below) to be eligible
  • 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 1/7/2021
  • Contest will take place from 1/8/2021 to 1/10/2021

Design Requirements

  • 18mm motor, single
  • At least two diameters of body tubes for exterior body
  • One body tube must be at least 3x the length of the other
  • The shortest body tube must be at least 3″ in length
  • There must be at least 2 sets of 3 or 4 fins, different shapes and the bottom of the root edge at a different place
  • Materials must be standard weights that are in the OpenRocket database
  • Materials must be standard thicknesses that are in the OpenRocket database
  • Fins can not be any thinner than 1/16″ 
  • Must include realistic recovery and launch lugs (motor hook is optional)
  • NO CP Overrides
  • NO Mass Overrides
  • NO Mass Objects for adjusting weight and CP other than normal required items like shock cord, eye-screws, etc.
  • Must have at least 1 caliber of stability with an Estes C6 loaded

Contest Events

  • Your rocket will be flown in (3) “contest” conditions events and will accumulate a total score:
    • Versatility: your rocket will fly in “contest” conditions with (3) “contest” motors. The conditions and motors will not be disclosed. The placement score for each flight will be the Maximum Altitude (ft) * Rocket Weight (oz)
    • Max Altitude: your rocket will fly with a “contest mass override”, “contest conditions”, and a “contest” motor. The placement score will be the Altitude (ft)
    • Slow and Low: your rocket will fly in “contest” conditions with (1) “contest” motor. The placement score will be based on highest Time to Apogee (sec) and lowest Altitude (ft)

NOTE: Contest settings and entries will not be disclosed until all entries are in.

Prize Table

Proud sponsor of StAR #876 first Virtual Rocket Contest

1st Prize


Steve Schiera

LOC Precision Park Flyer Sandhawk

$41.50

All LOC Precision kits include laser cut fins, rings, and slotted air-frames and polypropylene nosecones.
Our Park Flyer series of kits are a low-cost, durable and all-inclusive line. Made for the small field, they’re super strong and can be brought down quickly minimizing drift on recovery.

2nd Prize


Daniel Brubaker


Estes Conquest - Skill Level 5

$35.99

Are you ready for the hottest rocket going this year? With a 12.8 inch wingspan, the Conquest is sure to fill the bill! A challenge to build, this Skill Level 5 kit will be well worth your time.

3rd Prize


Bill Heath


Estes Phoenix Bird

$23.99

Based on the classic Centuri Phoenix Bird kit from the late 1970s, the new Estes Phoenix Bird features through-the-wall fins and self-stick foil decals.

4th Prize


Jeff Barney


Estes Cosmic Explorer

$21.99

Search the cosmos with the Estes Cosmic Explorer! This unique sport rocket has styling and power that's BIG on performance. The Cosmic Explorer is an easy to assemble, high tech marvel on the launch pad. Powered with standard Estes engines, this adventurer can easily top the 1,000 foot level, then returns safely on a large 18 inch pre-assembled parachute.

*** Discount Rocketry will even throw in free Glue and Wadding for each Rocket Kit with a Discount Rocketry sticker.

Let the Games Begin!

Contestants

NameRocketFileFinal Standing
#11 - Steve SchieraElf On A Rocket1 (11 points)
Length = 17.168"
Weight = 0.722 oz
Large Tube = 0.976"
Small Tube = 0.736"
#6 - Daniel BrubakerThe Squid2 - Tie (7 points)*
Length = 23"
Weight = 4.38 oz
Large Tube = 1.125"
Small Tube = 0.903"
#10 - Bill HeathSUNDIVER2 - Tie (7 points)*
Length = 15.964"
Weight = 0.443 oz
Large Tube = 0.736"
Small Tube = 0.541"
#8 - Jeffery J BarneySt.ARship3 (5 points)
Length = 21"
Weight = 0.846 oz
Large Tube = 0.976"
Small Tube = 0.765"
  • Even though there’s a tie for second place, I decided to award the Second Place Prize to Daniel Brubaker for having a finished design.

StAR #876 Entries (non-competing)

NameRocketFile
StAR #876Remarkable
Length = 15.7"
Weight = 0.451 oz
Large Tube = 0.986"
Small Tube = 0.765"
StAR #876New Terra
Length = 15.35"
Weight = 0.605 oz
Large Tube = 0.976"
Small Tube = 0.736"

CONTEST #1

Versatility: your rocket will fly in “contest” conditions with (3) “contest” motors. The placement score for each flight will be the Maximum Altitude (ft) * Rocket Weight (oz)

Details:

  • Contest Conditions: See Here – these were current conditions at St. Augustine on the day of posting
  • Contest Motors: Attached Motors File
  • Comments: This contest was interesting because the highest actual flier did not become the leader. Once the weight is multiplied to the altitude, super high fliers were reduced because they were so light.
IDRocketeerBonusWeight (Oz)Motor1 - AltitudeAlt*WtMotor2 - AltitudeAlt*WtMotor3 - AltitudeAlt*WtTotalP
O
I
N
T
S
6Daniel Brubaker0.0%4.385632465.98623775.66032641.18882.64
11Steve Schiera0.5%0.8721941170120811823.718741642.35167.0
3
8Jeffery J Barney0.0%0.84613031102.313721160.712301040.63303.62
10Bill Heath0.0%0.4431873829.71883834.21776786.82450.71

 

CONTEST #2

Max Altitude: your rocket will fly with a “contest mass override”, “contest conditions”, and a “contest” motor. The placement score will be the Altitude (ft) .

Details:

  • Contest Mass Override: Each rocket was set to 2.2 ounces
  • Contest Conditions: See Here
  • Contest Motor: Attached File
  • Comments: We believe this contest really shows off “good design” once the weight is normalized for all entries.
IDRocketeerBonusMax Alt (2.2 oz)w/BonusP
O
I
N
T
S
11Steve Schiera0.5%266126744
10Bill Heath0.0%265226523
6Daniel Brubaker0.0%201920192
8Jeffery J Barney0.0%192519251

 

CONTEST #3

Slow and Low: your rocket will fly in “contest” conditions with (1) “contest” motor. The placement score will be based on highest Time to Apogee (sec)) and lowest Altitude (ft).

Details:

  • Contest Conditions: See Here
  • Contest Motor: Attached File
  • Comments:
IDRocketeerBonusTime to Apogee (s)(Score - Min)*10Altitude(Max - Score)/100TotalPOINTS
11Steve Schiera0.5%5.8327.98881.229.04
10Bill Heath0.0%5.7626.910080.026.93
8Jeffery J Barney0.0%5.2121.46633.524.92
6Daniel Brubaker0.0%3.0701119.091

 

 

QA

Q. Do I interpret “There must be at least 2 sets of 3 or 4 fins, different shapes and the bottom of the root edge at a different place” to mean the the two fin sets cannot be placed to make a 6-8 fin rocket? In other words, the trailing edges cannot be at the same location?

A. Not exactly, you could have a 6 or 8 finned rocket just as long as the bottom (rear) of the root edge is not in the same spot. For example, 1 fin set even with the bottom and the second fin set (splitting the first set and a different shape) at 0.5″ from the bottom. Or 1 set of fins even with the bottom and another set up by the nose cone.

Q. How does this Bonus thing work?

A. The 1% 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 and it is geared toward a “virtual” rocket contest, but we wanted to award some that actually built the rocket.

Q. 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?

A. Yes, either, both…we will review them and let you know.

Q. What is the measure for the one caliber rocket stability requirement, Barrowman or OpenRocket?

A. OpenRocket.

Q. How are Contest Points scored?

A. Each of the 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 #3 (minimum altitude) and entry #1 gets 800 feet, #2 810 feet, #3 750 feet and #4 950 feet. Then the scores will be 4 points for #3, 3 points for #1, 2 points for #2 and 1 point for #4.

Q. You say materials must be those listed in OpenRocket. Can I build/design any part using those materials?

A. Yes, you may. This does not imply that you have to take the part from the database.

Q. In the events that are described, is the Maximum Altitude the maximum possible, excluding the delay of the motor(s) chosen, or actual predicted, including the delay of the motor(s)? I.e., a design could go 1500 feet on a C6-7 but less on a C6-5 because of early ejection.

A. Including the delay. There are set motors for Events 1, 2, and 3 with set delays.

Q. I didn’t see anything about dual deployment (i.e. drogue chute and main chute). Is that allowed?

A. No, you must use the “Deploy at engine ejection” option

Q. What size and diameter launch rod for the contest?

A. We’ll use OR’s default 36″ long rod, 1/8″ (3.2mm) diameter.

* This contest is modeled after EMRR’s first Virtual Rocket Contest (March 2003).

Register for the contest using the form below

[email-subscribers-form id="1"]