Special Events

This will be a monthly NAR event at the beginning of this year to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing, July 20, 2019. The contest objective is to launch a model rocket and have it land closest to an area on the launch field representing the moon. The contestant whose rocket lands closest to the Tranquility Base target is the winner for the month. The closest landing for the entire year will win an additional grand prize at the annual picnic. 

Contest Rules

1. The contest is open to model rocketeers of all ages. 

2. Contestants must follow the National Association of Rocketry (NAR) Safety Code.

3. Modelers must provide their own model rocket, engine, igniter, and prepping tools. The NAR Section will provide recovery wadding and the launch equipment suitable for 1/8” and 3/16” diameter launch lugs. 

4. Contestants fly as individuals. This means they prep their own rockets.

5. Model rockets must use a single (NAR classification and safety certified) engine for each flight that is a “C” class engine or less. 

6. Model rockets must pass a preflight safety inspection and engine confirmation at the launch site prior to launch. 

7. Model rockets must land safely by a recovery system using either a streamer or parachute for their recovery. If the rocket’s landing is unsafe the flight will be disqualified. 

8. Model rockets must not separate into two or more unattached parts during flight. 

9. The contest flight must be declared before launching by notation on the flight card, and must be that rocket’s first flight of the day. (No practice flights with the competition rocket.)

Contest Judging 

1. Modelers may launch their declared competition model one time, each month of the contest. 

2. A launch is a successful ignition of the engine so that the model leaves the launch pad. 

3. The object of the event is to determine whose flight comes closest to Tranquility Base. 

4. If a model rocket lands within 100 feet of Tranquility Base, contestants must leave the model rocket undisturbed until the model rocket is measured. 

5. Officials will measure all model rockets that land within 100 feet of Tranquility Base. 

6. Measurement will be from Tranquility Base’s center marker to the tip of the model rocket’s nosecone. The measurement becomes the contestant’s score. 

7. The person with the smallest measurement (i.e., closest to Tranquility Base’s center) will be declared the winner. The next smallest score will be second place and so on.

8. Decisions of the judges are final. 

MASA and NAR Sections across the United States will be celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Apollo moon landing.  Stay tuned for details!

(The following message is from Chuck Neff, NAR Section Activities Chair)

In a little under nineteen months, America will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the July 20th, 1969 successful Apollo 11 moon landing.  Not that we ever need a reason, but this would be a perfect opportunity for the NAR to do what we do best - launch rockets!!

As it just so happens, the anniversary of that day is on a Saturday this year so I think we should all schedule a launch and invite the public to see just that!  With some planning, NAR Sections could make some local or even regional news by conducting a well practiced launch and recovery of a Saturn V (or even a Saturn 1B) scale model!  Imagine the publicity the NAR could get from holding a nationwide coordinated launch effort to commemorate the moon landing event!

Now, nineteen months away may seem like a very long time, however when we think about what needs to be done to hold launches that could potentially attract large crowds, the time for planning will soon be upon us.  Even more so if your Section would elect to build and launch a large scale model in front of visitors and the media.

Thanks to all for your efforts - especially those continuing to "Pay It Forward" to keep Model Rocketry headed in the right direction (aim them up!) and help maintain NAR's excellent safety record. 

The Alan Shepard golf ball launch

As we all know, back in February of 1971, Alan Shepard hit 2 golf balls while on the moon for Apollo 14. So we are lofting 2 golf balls into the air to reach an altitude of 671 feet (In honor of when Alan Shepard drove the balls on the lunar surface – 2/6/71.). You will have up to, and no more than, three declared flights at the August launch to post a qualifying score. 

The entrant must:

1. Build a single engine, single stage rocket using the starter kit materials provided by MASA, which will be available for the purchase price of $10.00 starting at the April launch.

2. The provided 24 mm body tube must be used for securing the engine. 

3. The rocket must be a minimum of 13 inches long. The maximum length of the rocket will be 21.35 inches long, which is using the entire length of the supplied body tube. This measurement will be taken from the base of the body tube to the tip of the nose cone that is fully shouldered in the body tube. The body tube diameter cannot be reduced via body tube adapters or the making of a “boat tail” at the bottom end of the rocket. Swept fins or an engine mount that extends below the base of the body tube will NOT be measured. 

4. You may use any NAR approved fin material in the building of your model rocket.

5. The rocket must use at least one parachute for recovery that the contestant must supply.

6. The rocket must stay together and not separate into two or more parts during recovery.

7. Altitude tracked by on-board altimeter. No altimeter can be used to fire an ejection charge of any kind at any time during a qualifying flight. MASA can supply an altimeter at the launch, if needed.

8. No chute release products can be used.

9. No piston launchers.

10. You must use both of the enclosed launch rail guides provided for launching.

11. Center of pressure (CP) must be clearly marked along the side of the rocket’s body tube. Center of Gravity (CG) will be checked on launch day after the rocket is ready to be put on the pad.

12. Any single NAR approved engine that can be safely secured with the 24 mm mount supplied may be used in this contest.

13. Any contest flight must be declared before launching by notation on the flight card.

14. The rocket must be finished.   Unpainted rockets will be disqualified.

You must use the nose cone, the body tube, the motor tube and the two launch rail guides from the starter kit. Alterations allowed are to shorten the body tube, the motor mount tube, or the shock cord if desired. Additional parts used inside the rocket for holding or attaching the altimeter, the golf balls and the payload section are up to the discretion of the contestant. 

Scoring: 671 feet is scored as zero, or a hole in one – a perfect score! If a flier goes above or below this altitude, simply note the difference of the score compared to the goal and record in whole numbers. The contestant with the lowest score (closest to zero) will win the contest. In case of a tie for the lowest score, the two tied contestants will then use their second best flight to determine which has the lowest aggregate score. Test flights on the day of the launch will be allowed. 

The Mulligan – static judging. The top 3 static vote getting rockets will receive the following points deducted from their best flight score. First place will get 15 feet deducted from their best flight score, second place will receive 10 feet deducted from their best flight, and third place will receive 5 feet deducted from their best flight score.

What MASA will provide in the kit bags:

1. 1 BT-70 Nose Cone

2. 1 BT-70 Body tube

3. 2 BT-70 disk style forward bulkhead to put between the altimeter and golf balls, and on the bottom of the BT-70 tube connector for attaching the shock cord mount. 

4. 1 BT-70 body tube connector

5. 1 BT-50 body tube for engine mount

6. 2 BT-50 to BT-70 centering rings

7. 1 BT-20 to BT-50 centering ring to be used as an engine block

8. 1 E-length engine hook

9. 2 rail guides

10. Shock cord

What the contestant will need to provide:

1. At least one parachute of their choosing

2. Shock cord mounting of their choosing

3. Fin stock of their choosing

4. The means to mount an altimeter securely in the BT-70 payload section

5. Finishing supplies and paint

At the launch, MASA will provide:

1. The golf balls (that weigh roughly 1.6 ounces each)

2. An altimeter, if needed

3. The launch gear

MASA is celebrating its 20th year!    

To help celebrate the 20th Anniversary, we will be having a commemorative rocket competition.  

The rules are simple... build any rocket of your choice, any size (but limited to an E motor max), any kit or scratch design, and decorate it to somehow commemorate the first 20 years of MASA.  Use your imagination - anything goes....  it can commemorate 1998 somehow (favorite movie released that year, John Glenn's return to space, etc.) or it can commemorate 20 years, 2 decades, or it can just simply say "Happy Birthday, MASA" on the body tube.  Get creative, have fun, think outside the  box, and bring your commemorative rocket to MASA's April launch for a special birthday launch.  We will come up with other ideas to help celebrate 20 years in the coming months.