(Course of
Action)
Goal:
To
win the National Championship in the Team America Rocketry Challenge contest.
Course
of Action:
For people with no
experience:
(1)
If you’ve never built a simple, basic model rocket, then it is suggested that you
do so. Buy an inexpensive Level 1 Model
Rocket (not the Ready to Launch type) and build it. We will then launch it.
(2)
Check out www.apogeerockets.com and
click on Apogee Educates. Check out www.esteseducator.com and click on
Rocketry 101. Borrow or purchase a copy
of The Handbook of Model Rocketry by
G. Harry Stine.
(3)
You should be familiar with the RockSim computer
simulation program so you can either design a rocket or at least be familiar
with what our team is trying to do. Consider designing a simple
computer-designed rocket having a(n) (a) Nose Cone, (b) Body Tube, (c) Fins
(Choose any type), (d) Inner Tube (and designate as a Motor Mount), (e) Engine
Block (keeps the motor inside the Motor Mount Tube) and, (f) Centering Rings
(Center and support the Motor Mount Tube inside the Body Tube), (g) Launch Lug
(guides the rocket off the pad), (h) A parachute, (i)
A motor (engine) that will fit into the Motor Mount Tube – THEN LAUNCH!!
For all team members:
(4)
You should read the contest rules (www.rocketcontest.org)
and consider signing up to receive e-mails from the contest organizer. In a short while we will post a list of dates
and deadlines to meet.
(5)
You should consider an attempt to design a rocket on the computer program that
meets the basic contest criteria (www.rocketcontest.org).
New people will find this somewhat
challenging at first. Even if you don’t
get it at first, it will help you to understand what the more experience
members of the team are doing.
(6)
We will order the materials and build the rocket once the design is finalized.
(7)
We will launch the rocket and compare the results with (a) the contest goals,
and (b) the computer simulation.
(8) We will schedule qualifying flights and
become eligible to compete in Nationals in May.