FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Simple Competition Questions (New Team Type Questions)
Q: What is a team?
A. As of the 2016 IREC and carrying over into the SAC, a team is defined by one rocket and the group working on that rocket. Therefore, one rocket equals one team.
Each team shall submit no more than one project into the IREC. Furthermore, no project may be entered in more than one category at the IREC. Although, as previously noted, teams are permitted to switch categories as necessary prior to submitting their final Project Technical Report. Finally, students are free to participate on multiple teams, so long as each team is lead by a different individual. The event organizers will track and evaluate each team separately, regardless of common membership or academic affiliation.
A. As of the 2016 IREC and carrying over into the SAC, a team is defined by one rocket and the group working on that rocket. Therefore, one rocket equals one team.
Each team shall submit no more than one project into the IREC. Furthermore, no project may be entered in more than one category at the IREC. Although, as previously noted, teams are permitted to switch categories as necessary prior to submitting their final Project Technical Report. Finally, students are free to participate on multiple teams, so long as each team is lead by a different individual. The event organizers will track and evaluate each team separately, regardless of common membership or academic affiliation.
Q: Does anyone on the team need to be certified (Level 1, 2, or 3) under NAR or Tripoli to launch at the SAC?
A: No, ESRA is independent of NAR and Tripoli. College and university teams may purchase High Power Rocket motors without requiring certification (see NFPA 1127, Code for High Power Rocketry, which exempts college and universities from its requirements. It is available for free viewing on www.nfpa.org). HOWEVER, teams without a certified flyer may not be allowed to fly their rockets at NAR or Tripoli-sanctioned launches due to insurance restrictions. You may need to find your own launch location and get your own FAA Waiver to do a test launch before the IREC.
A: No, ESRA is independent of NAR and Tripoli. College and university teams may purchase High Power Rocket motors without requiring certification (see NFPA 1127, Code for High Power Rocketry, which exempts college and universities from its requirements. It is available for free viewing on www.nfpa.org). HOWEVER, teams without a certified flyer may not be allowed to fly their rockets at NAR or Tripoli-sanctioned launches due to insurance restrictions. You may need to find your own launch location and get your own FAA Waiver to do a test launch before the IREC.
Launch Range Questions
Q. What type of launch system does ESRA provide at the SAC?
A. ESRA currently has 6 launch rails and a control box/cables with 8 connections (so the ESRA launch box can be used for 2 team-provided rails). Each ESRA rail is two-sided, in that it can launch rockets with "1515" type buttons/lugs or "1010" lugs (but not at the same time!). The "1515" extruded aluminum guiderails are 18 feet long and the "1010" guiderails are 12 feet long. The rockets are loaded horizontally, on top of the guiderail, and the rail is raised manually and can be adjusted between 0 and 15 degrees from vertical. The rails can also be pointed in azimuth (via a rotating base plate) if desired. Virtually any rocket diameter and fin size (within reason) can be accommodated. The rails have movable submerged rail stops for the bottom launch lug/button to rest on in the prelaunch position. Teams may also bring their own device to mount to the 1010 or 1515 guiderail to hold their rocket in place on the rail before launch.
Note: for 2016, ESRA is building additional rails and extensions so that we will have 8 rails total: four 30-foot rails for liquid and non-commercial hybrid rockets, and four 18/12-foot rails for solid rockets and commercial hybrids. The 30-foot rails will only have "1515" type guiderails but will otherwise be very similar in operation and configuration to the 18/12-foot rails.
The control box can provide 2 separate signals (12V, 5A) to each rail to accommodate most solid, liquid, or hybrid rockets. Connection is via binding post terminals. Cables can be shifted/combined at a rail if more control signals are needed.
A. ESRA currently has 6 launch rails and a control box/cables with 8 connections (so the ESRA launch box can be used for 2 team-provided rails). Each ESRA rail is two-sided, in that it can launch rockets with "1515" type buttons/lugs or "1010" lugs (but not at the same time!). The "1515" extruded aluminum guiderails are 18 feet long and the "1010" guiderails are 12 feet long. The rockets are loaded horizontally, on top of the guiderail, and the rail is raised manually and can be adjusted between 0 and 15 degrees from vertical. The rails can also be pointed in azimuth (via a rotating base plate) if desired. Virtually any rocket diameter and fin size (within reason) can be accommodated. The rails have movable submerged rail stops for the bottom launch lug/button to rest on in the prelaunch position. Teams may also bring their own device to mount to the 1010 or 1515 guiderail to hold their rocket in place on the rail before launch.
Note: for 2016, ESRA is building additional rails and extensions so that we will have 8 rails total: four 30-foot rails for liquid and non-commercial hybrid rockets, and four 18/12-foot rails for solid rockets and commercial hybrids. The 30-foot rails will only have "1515" type guiderails but will otherwise be very similar in operation and configuration to the 18/12-foot rails.
The control box can provide 2 separate signals (12V, 5A) to each rail to accommodate most solid, liquid, or hybrid rockets. Connection is via binding post terminals. Cables can be shifted/combined at a rail if more control signals are needed.
Q. Will there be vendors for rocket equipment at the SAC? Can we pre-purchase motors and other items from them and have them bring them to the IREC?
A. Yes to both questions. The vendors, their products, and contact information are on the Vendors page.
A. Yes to both questions. The vendors, their products, and contact information are on the Vendors page.