RockSim Virtual Rocket Contest #6 CONTEST - IS OVER! Contests:   All   Previous   Next

Essence's Model Rocketry Reviews (EMRR) is happy to introduce the sixth "virtual" rocket contest.

The theme for this contest is Longnecks.

This is a term that may have originated from EMRR for tall skinny rockets with a length-to-diameter ratio of at least 30:1. In other words, all qualified entries must be at least 30 times longer than their largest diameter.

So, grab your favorite rocket simulation software and build a rocket that meets the requirements below. The official flights will be run using RockSim ver 7.04, but any software (RockSim Free Demo, SpaceCAD, VCP) can be used to test your design. Heck, you can even do it by hand if you want.

The "virtual fly-off" will start on February 28, 2005.

Contest Requirements:

• RockSim Owners: Entry must be (1) RKT files (any version)
• RockSim DEMO Entries: Entry must include the following:
  • All the information from the Parts List
  • A drawing of your fins with dimensions clearly indicated
  • Thickness of your fins (material is in Parts List)
  • Location of your fins with reference to the rear of the rocket in inches
  • Please contact EMRR beforehand for tips on submitting demo entries
  • Demo entries may require follow-up questions from the judges to ensure that what we judge is an accurate copy of what you intended
• Name your Rocket
• Contestants may only have (1) entry
• Contestants must be on EMRR's Announcement List to be eligible
• Build Bonus: Bonus points will be gained if you build, fly and produce pictures of the rocket:
  • +1 point for picture of the rocket static
  • +1 point for picture of the rocket launching or descending
• Newbie Bonus: To encourage new contestants, bonus points will be awarded to first- and second-time contestants
  • +1.6 points for first-time entrants
  • +0.5 points for second-time entrants
• Early Bird Bonus: To reduce log-jams near the contest deadline contestants, early entrants will receive bonus points, based on the time they submit a qualified design.
  • +0.9 points for first entrant
  • +0.8 points for second entrant
  • etc. to 0.1 points for 9th entrant
  • No early bird bonus during final week, regardless of order of entry
• Entries must be received by 2/27/2005. A contestant whose entry does not meet the contest guidelines will be notified and allowed to re-submit a corrected entry. Please submit your entries early to ensure that you will have time to make corrections if necessary. This is especially important for RockSim demo and other software entries.
• Contest will take place from 2/28 - 3/4.

CLICK HERE FOR Q A

CLICK HERE FOR Fine Print

RockSim Rocket Design Requirements:

• Length/Diameter Ratio:
  • All designs must have Length/Diameter ratio (L/D) >= 30:1. The largest diameter tubing will be used for this calculation.
  • Nose cones and transitions must not account for more than 25% of the total length.
  • For multi-stage designs, the L/D must be >=30:1 at all times during the flight. Booster stages do not need to be >30:1 by themselves. For example, an upper stage that is 26" x 0.736 (35:1) with a 4"x0.976 booster would be legal ((26+4)/0.976" = 31:1), even though the booster by itself is only 4:1.
  • No external boosters. Clustered engines are allowed to hang out the back of their airframe tube, but may not stick out the sides. For example, you may not strap four 24mm motors on the outside of a 13mm central tube and count that as a 0.544" diameter. You would need to surround the engines mounts with a 2.6" tube.
• Body Tubes:
  • All tubing must come from RockSim database.
  • Tubing sections may not be longer than their database default lengths. Tubing sections must be joined by realistic couplers, bulkheads, transitions, centering rings, or sleeves.
• Motor Configuration:
  • Designer's choice (staged, cluster, or single-engine)
  • Unlimited impulse allowed.
  • Loaded takeoff weight must be less than 16.0 oz.
  • Black-Powder motors only (Estes or Quest), from MicroMaxx through E9. These are valid Motors and Curves (virtual6.eng)
    (if you need assistance loading these, e-mail EMRR)
  • You must choose your motors for each Event
    • Motors may the same size or smaller than their motor tube size; exact size is not required. (This is a change from previous contests).
    • Motor tubes may be left empty for some events. (This is a change from previous contests.)
  • No manual modification of the .eng file
  • Motor overhang will be the default 0.5 inches unless told otherwise.
  • 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
  • No on-board electronics to perform staging, air-starts, or ejection.
• Fins:
  • There must be at least 2 sets of 3 - 8 fins.
  • One set must be completely in front of the midpoint.
  • Each qualified set must have a semi-span and a root length at least as wide as the tube it is mounted to.
  • At least one fin set must be a Custom Design with at least 7 corners (include leading and trailing edges). Corners closer than 1/8" to each other are allowed but do not count toward the required number (the idea is to have interesting shapes and not just rounded corners).
  • Additional sets of 2-8 fins are optional. These extra fins do not need to meet the location, semi-span, or root-length requirements.
  • Fins can not be any thinner than 1/8" of an inch if balsa, cardboard, or paper, or 1/16" if stronger material.
  • Tube fins and ring fins are allowed, but must have both their mass and drag accounted for. (see how-to article)
• Recovery:
  • Streamer recovery.
  • Streamer must be at least 0.001" thick.
  • Maximum width: 12"
  • Maximum length: Whatever will fit into the body tube.
  • Streamer folding IS allowed to increase the drag.
  • Must include a realistic shock cord.
• Launch lugs are OPTIONAL. We will be flying from virtual 6-foot towers. (This is a change from previous contests).
• Materials must be standard weights that are in the Rocksim database
• Materials must be standard thicknesses that are in the Rocksim database
• NO CP Overrides
• NO Mass Overrides (other than those in the standard RockSim database)
• Mass Objects ARE allowed for adjusting CG. (This is a change from previous contests).
• Must have at least 1 caliber of stability (RockSim Based) when loaded with your selected motor(s)
• Appearance:
  • Select the rocket part colors that your would like to see posted. If you want, you may use the "decal" feature of RockSim 7.04 to display artwork on your rocket. (see here - PDF)

Contest Events:

• Your rockets will participate in four events and will accumulate a total score. All events will use a 72" launch tower and your choice of motor configuration (different for each event). For each event, you must also choose a launch angle, no more than +/- 15 degrees.
  1. Altitude: (See Results) Go as high as you can, but do it with style. The score for this event will be based on a combined ranking from each of these categories.
     1a) Max Altitude (Hint: High impulse engines in short light designs do well here.)
     1b) Adjusted Altitude = Max Altitude * (L/D) / 30 (Hint: High impulse engines help here too. Adding length hurts the altitude, but the (L/D) factor goes up faster than the altitude goes down, so there's incentive to stretch longer.)
     1c) Altitude Efficiency = Max Altitude / Total Impulse (Hint: Here's where the tiny engines kick butt on the big boys.)
  2. Streamer Duration: (See Results) Score = Hang Time (sec) + (L/D). (Hint: This one encourages longer skinnier rockets and larger streamers. Adding length hurts the altitude, but the (L/D) term can counteract that. Large streamers can help the hang time but the extra weight will hurt in the other events, so trade off carefully.)
  3. Low and Slow: (See Results) The score for this event will be based on a combined ranking from each of these categories.
     3a) Lowest apogee
     3b) Slowest max speed
     DQ Condition: The bottom stage must clear the tower, and the upper stage must reach at least 50 feet altitude to qualify. (Hint: This event is mostly about engine selection.)
  4. Drag Race: (See Results) The score for this event will be based on a combined ranking from each of these categories.
     4a) Fastest time to clear the tower
     4b) Longest time to landing
     4c) Closest landing to pad
• Flight Conditions:
  • Your rocket will fly in RockSim 7 default conditions except as noted below.
  • Wind Conditions: Calm (0-2 mph)
  • Wind Turbulence: Fairly Constant Speed (0.01)
  • Cloud Coverage: No Thermals
  • Launch Guide Length: 72 inches
  • Misfires: None
  • Exception: For the Drag Race, the wind speed will be between 2 and 8 MPH, No variability. All contestants will use the same wind speed, but that speed will not be revealed in advance
• DQ Conditions
  • It will be almost impossible to DQ, and randomness is almost completely eliminated.
• 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
  • RockSim RKT file
  • Rocket Name
  • Loaded takeoff weight must be less than 16.0 oz
  • Motor and rod angle selections for Events below:
    (Launch angle limited to +/- 15 degrees. Be sure to give the proper "plus" or "minus" sign indication. If no sign is specified, we will assume you wanted "minus", into the wind.)

PRIZE TABLE:

Anonymous Guest	(1) Estes Mean Machine, 24mm Kit
BRS Hobbies	(1) ASP Tall Boym Longneck, 24mm Kit
FlisKits	(1) Richter Recker Longneck, Cluster 24mm Kit
Sunward Aerospace	(1) CFX-SIX FOOTER Longneck, 24mm Kit
U.S. Rockets	(1) Tall Tail 10 Longneck, 29/24mm Kit

FINAL RESULTS:

ROCKETEER	NAME OF ROCKET	ROCKSIM	BONUSES BB  NB  EBB			CURRENT STANDING (Event #1, #2, #3)
#17 - Bob Cox	Elongation of Zeus					1
3-Stage Streamer: 180x12x0.001 (folded) Event#1: E9-0+A10-0(x8); E9-0; E9-8 Rod (0) Event#2: E9-0+A10-0(x8); E9-0; E9-8 Rod (0) Event#3: A10-0; A10-0; MMaxx-1 Rod (0) Event#4: E9-0+A10-0(x8); E9-0; E9-8 Rod (-15)
Bob indicated, "I spent about 10 hours over the last three days working on it, bringing the total time to about 25 hours. With some changes I made this week I was able to boost the altitude about 50% and the streamer duration about 75%. I hope that's enough." 25 hours of prep work for a total of 42 minutes in the air... how'd he do?
#3 - Claude Paquin	Flaming Spaghettini				0.7	4
2-Stage Streamer: 600x12x0.001 (folded) Event#1: E9-0(x3)+A10-0+C6-0(x3); E9-8 Rod (3) Event#2: E9-0(x3)+A10-0+C6-0(x3); E9-8 Rod (3) Event#3: A10-0; MMaxx-1 Rod (-15) Event#4: E9-0(x3)+A10-0+C6-0(x3); E9-8 Rod(-15)
Claude enters his 3rd VC with his "Flaming Spaghettini". He shoved the biggest streamer possible into this rocket. I had to zoom in very close to make sure it was within the tube lines. That gave him the solid 1st place in the Streamer Duration. He also placed 2nd in the Drag Race using that long streamer to secure the Longest Time in the Air.
#18 - Dave Austerberry	Flying Syringe			0.5		5
1-Stage Streamer: 22.1x2.2x0.001 (folded) Event#1: E9-8 Rod (0) Event#2: E9-6 Rod (0) Event#3: 1/4A3-2 Rod (0) Event#4: E9-8 Rod (-15)
Dave is coming back to the contest field for the second time. He is walking a bit tall after winning VC#5. He stayed in that upper 3rd the whole time with his best events being the Low and Slow and Drag Race. Nice job, and welcome back (come again)!
#6 - Chris Coffin	Dreaming#3			1.6	0.4	2
3-Stage Streamer: 72x12x0.001 (not folded) Event#1: E9-0; E9-0; E9-8 Rod (0) Event#2: E9-0; E9-0; E9-8 Rod (0) Event#3: 1/2A6-2 Rod (0) Event#4: E9-0; E9-0; E9-8 Rod (-11.796)
I was loving the fact that all these newbies were flying this time. Chris' rocket scared me! At the time of his entry, he was the second highest flier. He gave high end performance and with a little more attention to the drag race could have placed higher. Well done, Chris!
#13 - Chan Stevens	Wotan's Spear					8
3-Stage Streamer: 120x12x0.001 (folded) Event#1: E9-0(x3); C6-0 (x3); E9-8 Rod (0) Event#2: E9-0(x3); C6-0 (x3); E9-8 Rod (0) Event#3: A10-0; A10-0; MMaxx-1 Rod (0) Event#4: E9-0(x3); C6-0 (x3); E9-8 Rod (0)
Chan is another old pro who has participanted in very VC that EMRR has had. He won VC#2, took third in VC#3 and then dropped out of the top 5 for VC#4 and VC#5. Welcome back to the top 5!
#12 - Bruce Levison	Space Needle					7
3-Stage Streamer: 90x12x0.001 (not folded) Event#1: E9-0; E9-0; C6-7 Rod (.25) Event#2: E9-0; E9-0; C6-7 Rod (.25) Event#3: A10-0; MMaxx-1 Rod (-15) Event#4: A10-0; A10-0; A10-3 Rod (-12.5)
Bruce IS an old pro. He has been in EVERY VC that EMRR has held. I regret not being able to display these hugh rockets in 3D, because even for this one Bruce used decals. Bruce consistently performed in the upper 3rd of the group.
#1 - Todd Mullin	Thin Man				0.9	6
3-Stage Streamer: 60x12x0.001 (not folded) Event#1: E9-0; E9-0; E9-8 Rod (0) Event#2: E9-0; E9-0; E9-8 Rod (0) Event#3: A10-0; A10-0; MMaxx-1 Rod (-15) Event#4: E9-0; E9-0; E9-8 Rod (-10)
Todd's was the first entry and until Bob Cox got his entry in, Todd was top dog! He won Event#1, did well in Event #2, and then kind of dropped from there. Todd will be holding the "Mullin Invitational" for VC#7.
#10 - Jeff Caldwell	Mother Night			0.5		15
2-Stage Streamer: 120x6x0.001 (not folded) Event#1: E9-0+C6-0(x3); E9-8 Rod (0) Event#2: E9-0+C6-0(x3); E9-8 Rod (0) Event#3: A10-0; A8-3 Rod (-10) Event#4: E9-0+C6-0(x3); E9-8 Rod (-15)
This was Jeff's second contest. After placing 3rd, he learned "Longnecks" are not like throwing a football! Interestingly, he was in 15th place for events #1, #2, and #3 and then pulled off 1st place in the Drag Race. This moved him way up!
#11 - Jim Myers	Pale Ale					3
2-Stage Streamer: 120x12x0.002 (folded) Event#1: D12-0; E9-8 Rod (1) Event#2: D12-0; E9-8 Rod (1) Event#3: A10-0; 1/4A3-2 Rod (-5) Event#4: D12-0; E9-8 Rod (-13.25)
Jim is becoming one of the old pro's. This being his 4th contest. He improved his position each event, even placing 2nd in the Low and Slow. He improved all the way up to 3rd place... until the Drag Race.
#14 - Joe Policy	Night Sky		2.0			11
2-Stage Streamer: 60x12x0.001 (folded) Event#1: E9-0; E9-8 Rod (1) Event#2: E9-0; E9-8 Rod (1) Event#3: A10-0; 1/4A3-2 Rod (-15) Event#4: E9-0; E9-8 Rod (-15)
Forget how Joe's rocket performed in the contest! Click on his build bonus and see the real thing! Very nice. I wish more would build their designs.
#8 - John Bonnett	The Noodle			1.6	0.2	10
2-Stage Streamer: 72x12x0.002 (folded) Event#1: E9-0(x3); E9-8 Rod (0) Event#2: E9-0(x3); E9-8 Rod (0) Event#3: B6-0; 1/4A3-2 Rod (0) Event#4: E9-0(x3); E9-8 Rod (0)
John too is a newbie. I like the booster. John found a bug in the component database - he selected fins are "G10 (PML 0.062"")" and set them to 0.125 and guesss what, their mass is 0.000 oz.!
#4 - Bill Cooke	Cuello Largo			1.6	0.6	13
2-Stage Streamer: 40x4x0.001 (folded) Event#1: C6-0; C6-5 Rod(0) Event#2: C6-0; C6-5 Rod (0) Event#3: 1/2A6-2 Rod (0) Event#4: C6-5 Rod (-2)
Bill is another newbie and again I have to say, his rocket design looks clean and very buildable. Bill was a middle of the pack performer and we look forward to his next contest.
#19 - Clive Davis	Skinny Minnie					9
3-Stage Streamer: 100x10x0.001 (folded) Event#1: E9-0; E9-0; E9-8 Rod (0) Event#2: E9-0; E9-0; E9-8 Rod (0) Event#3: C11-5 Rod (0) Event#4: D12-7 Rod (0)
Clive staying up until nearly midnight just to sneak this design in. He was, no doubt, feeling pretty good after event #1 and #2 which placed him 3rd. Then where was he going in Low and Slow? Seemed to have missed a little rule that would have helped him greatly. Clive should have known since, he too has been in every VC contest.
#16 - Jeff Henry	Broken Arrow RockSIM Demo Entry			1.6		12
3-Stage Streamer: 80x8x0.001 (folded) Event#1: C6-0; C6-0; C6-7 Rod (0) Event#2: C6-0; C6-0; C6-7 Rod (0) Event#3: A8-3 Rod (-15) Event#4: C6-7 Rod (15)
Jeff also took on the field using the "Demo" version. He says he loved participating and learned a lot about RockSIM... we agree and look forward to his return for VC#7.
#2 - R.S. Barker	Miss Understood			1.6	0.8	14
1-Stage Streamer: 72x8.5x0.002 (folded) Event#1: E9-6 Rod (0) Event#2: E9-6 Rod (0) Event#3: B4-2 Rod (0) Event#4: E9-6 Rod (0)
R.S. is our first newbie entry. In general, he produced a nice looking rocket. He should have built it. R.S.'s best event was Low and Slow. His near-the-top performance placed him 3rd in the event. Adding his bonus points to just this event pushed him to 1st.
#5 - Layne Rossi	Five in the Sky			1.6	0.5	18
1-Stage Streamer: 78.7x5.4x0.003 (folded) Event#1: A10-0(x4)+E9-6 Rod (0) Event#2: A10-0(x4)+E9-4 Rod (0) Event#3: A10-0(x2)+A10-3 Rod (0) Event#4: A10-0(x2)+E9-4 Rod (4)
This was Layne's first event and he really got into the fin design didn't he? Nice. Layne struggled in events #1 and #2, but did not do too bad in event #3 and #4. With some more practice... watch out!
#7 - Lance Alligood	Stealth Barb RockSIM Demo Entry			1.6	0.3	16
1-Stage Streamer: 90x9x0.001 (not folded) Event#1: C6-7 Rod (0) Event#2: C6-7 Rod (0) Event#3: 1/2A3-2 Rod (-15) Event#4: C6-7 Rod (0)
Lance was our first "Demo" entry. You have to appreciate the courage of those that enter with a "Demo" version since they can't save thier files. Once I build them up one in version 5, they can test and fine tune, but it is not easy. I should probably give them bonuses.
#9 - Bob Theobald	Redneck Rampage			0.5	0.1	17
1-Stage Streamer: 29.1x2.9x0.002 (folded) Event#1: E9-8 Rod (0) Event#2: E9-8 Rod (0) Event#3: A8-3 Rod (-15) Event#4: D12-7 Rod (-3)
Welcome back Bob! This is only your second contest, with the first being the very first VC. With all that time off, we realize you are just getting warmed up!
#15 - Eric Maglio	Black Widow RockSIM Demo Entry			1.6		19
1-Stage Streamer: 34.5x3.6x0.001 (folded) Event#1: E9-6 Rod (0) Event#2: E9-6 Rod (0) Event#3: D12-5 Rod (-5) Event#4: D12-7 Rod (0)
Eric's first contest and with the "Demo" version. Glad he competed and I like the reverse-swept fins. Eric, study the designs and come back and show them all what kind of student you are!

Altitude: Go as high as you can, but do it with style. The score for this event will be based on a combined ranking from each of these categories.
1a) Max Altitude (Hint: High impulse engines in short light designs do well here.)
1b) Adjusted Altitude = Max Altitude * (L/D) / 30 (Hint: High impulse engines help here too. Adding length hurts the altitude, but the (L/D) factor goes up faster than the altitude goes down, so there's incentive to stretch longer.)
1c) Altitude Efficiency = Max Altitude / Total Impulse (Hint: Here's where the tiny engines kick butt on the big boys.)

EMRR Comments: Wow, Bob Cox, beat the next closest by over 300 feet! But, check out Bill Cook with two little ol' C6's, had the greatest Feet/N. Dave Austerberry's was the only single-stage rocket to get into the top 10. Newbie, Chris Coffin, had consistent and impressive results. With his bonuses, he was able to get into 3nd place. In the end though, it was Todd Mullin with his 117:1 Length to Diameter ratio rocket that was able to pull off the win in Event #1.

Update: After all that, a problem was pointed out to me on Clive Davis' entry. It appears that some of these designs must run in Barrowman Sim verses Rocksim Sim. Clive's is one of them and Chris Coffin's is the other. Then there is Layne Rossi, John Bonnett, Jim Myers, Joe Policy and Bob Cox who's design can only run in RockSIM mode due to design features. Lastly, there is Claude Paquin that if run in Barrowman Sim has stability problems. All the rest, whether you run them in Barrowman or Rocksim sim get about the same results.

Streamer Duration: Score = Hang Time (sec) + (L/D). (Hint: This one encourages longer skinnier rockets and larger streamers. Adding length hurts the altitude, but the (L/D) term can counteract that. Large streamers can help the hang time but the extra weight will hurt in the other events, so trade off carefully.)

EMRR Comments: Well, Claude Paquin, we don't know if you could ever pack a 600" x 12" streamer in to a 0.976 tube in "real" life, but in the virtual world you passed. You also found a bug in RockSIM calculated weight, because the 500 square foot x 0.001" thick, "1.3 oz. Ripstop Nylon (SkyAngle)" streamer only weighed 0.103 ounces. Not likely, but not your fault. A bug in the system. BTW, you weren't the only one that happened upon that bug; Jeff Henry and Dave Austerberry did also. * Interesting to note how many people used the default streamer chosen for them by RockSim. As well as those that didn't choose to "Fold" their streamers.

Low and Slow: The score for this event will be based on a combined ranking from each of these categories.
3a) Lowest apogee
3b) Slowest max speed
DQ Condition: The bottom stage must clear the tower, and the upper stage must reach at least 50 feet altitude to qualify. (Hint: This event is mostly about engine selection.)

EMRR Comments: This was an interesting event. Five rocketeers with multiple stages, flew less stages during this event. Did this help them? Sure it did, however, it was Dave Austerberry's single-stage rocket that just popped over the 50 foot mark. He was a bit too fast in doing it because it was the 3-stager of Bob Cox that turned in the slowest velocity while flown in the 3-stage configuration. Bob's altitude was 2nd lowest so with his velocity he technically won the event. But by applying the bonuses to this event, then