UKAYRoC 2012-13 launched
The challenge seeks to encourage young people to embark on an aerospace career by giving them a realistic aerospace engineering project to tackle. Teams of 3 to 5 members aged 11 to 18 from a school or youth group must wholly design, build and launch a rocket to a detailed specification.
The criteria for this year’s competition are all change to ensure that new entrants have the same chance of winning as previous contestants. The teams have to achieve a target altitude of 750 feet with their rocket and a flight duration of between 48 and 50 seconds. The payload is one raw medium sized hen’s egg which has to travel perpendicular to the direction of travel and have a safe return to earth using a 15” parachute. Furthermore, gross liftoff weight should be no more than 650 grams.
Graham Chisnall, Deputy CEO and Managing Director, Aerospace and Operations of ADS, said:
“The future of the UK aerospace industry that is currently number one in Europe and number two in the world – worth over £24 billion per year – depends on attracting capable, bright young people to study science, technology, engineering and maths. Furthermore, the UK space sector is also primed for strong future growth that will require similarly capable new recruits. In return these industries can offer the next generation of scientists, engineers and skilled apprentices, excellent long-term and rewarding careers that pay well above the national average. The Rocketry Challenge is designed to foster an interest in these subjects as well as help schools teach them in an innovative way that also includes teamwork skills. We invite as many schools as possible to register to compete and we look forward to welcoming them at regional finals as well as the national final in May of 2013.”
To register schools should go to www.ukayroc.org.uk .
Key Dates:
• Registration opens: 29 October 2012.
• Registration closes: 31 January 2013.
• Qualification date: 25 March 2013.
• Finals: May 7/8 2013, location to be announced.
Prizes:
- First Prize
• Trip to Houston, Texas in the USA to visit NASA.
• £1,000 for winning school.
• 3 yrs free Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) membership for each team member.
• Trip to the Paris International Airshow 2013 to fly their rocket as UK Champions against the winning rockets from the US, French and Japanese national champions.
- 2nd-5th Prizes
• £500, £250, £100 & £50 prizes and RAeS memberships for each team member.
• The Best Innovation and Best Display winners receive rocket kits.
