Arena Specifications

1. Diameter of Launching Zone : 1.5m
2. Mean Line : Line bisecting the sector of 60 degrees.
3. If rocket fall outside 60 degrees sector than Zero points will be awarded.

Figure 1

View the Specifications

Design Specification

1. Only water should be used as a propellant. No other gas than air is allowed to be pressurized and provide thrust to the rocket.
2. The maximum pressure should not exceed 60 psi[4.2 bar approx.]*
3. Only pressurized air and water assembly should be used for launching. No other potential, kinetic, or any other form of energy will be permitted for the launch.
4. The launcher must remain intact and stationary on the ground while and after the launching of the rocket.
5. No component or a body part of the rocket should get detached from the main frame during the flight of the rocket. If detached then the rocket will be disqualified.
6. The neck of the container must remain intact and unaltered.
7. The flange and the mouth of the bottle can be used to hold the rocket while pressurising.
8. Any attachments on the bottle should be at least 4cm above the opening of the mouth.
9. The participants can bring a air compression device or a pump with them with a pressure gauge attached to it.
10. All methods of compression should be manual. An 8 bar standard electronic cycle pump/ compressor will be provided on the spot too. The specifications will be soon put up.
11. The upper tip of the rocket should be visible and marked red.
12. The launching mechanism should be such that the participant is enabled to launch the rocket safely from a distance of 2m from the launcher.

*The values of pressure are subjected to change. All the participants are requested to visit our website frequently. The registered candidates will be informed by a mail separately.

Safety Precautions,Hints and Tips

1. To keep rocket more aerodynamically stable there is a rule of thumb that states that the Centre of Drag (CoD) should be between 1-2 times the distance equal to the rocket diameter, behind the Centre of Gravity (CoG) .Where CoD can be found by making a cardboard cut-out of the sideways view of the rocket and finding its centre of gravity.
2. To lower CoD you can use wings or to rise CoG try using weights at Nose of Rocket.
3. Try using different kinds of nozzle, as nozzle size determines height and speed achieved. (water hoses, bottle caps with modification, even open bottles themselves can be used as nozzles)
4. Use mathematical models to calculate correct water amounts to be used for specific bottle size and pressure used to estimate desired heights or initial acceleration.
5. Try to design some good mechanism of filling water in the bottle to decrease loss of water during mounting rocket bottle on launcher (water need not to be filled before mounting but can be one possibility), this will also give you good approximation of flight beforehand.
6. For launching the rocket, you can use cable ties to hold bottle in vertical direction (But many more methods too are available)
7. Cable ties can also play major role in launching rocket from safe distance (Even some holding ring mechanisms are also available).
8. Try using smaller diameter pipes than major body for making variable height of tubes.
9. Be careful while experimenting with Water Rocket.Use of excessive pressure might lead to accident.

View the Rules

Competition Rules

The competition will be carried out in two rounds :

Round 1: The Eliminations

1. The task is to cover the maximum horizontal distance.
2. The place where the red tip fall will be considered for scoring.
3. The horizontal distance is defined as the projection on the mean line of the line joining the centre of the launching zone as defined in the figure and the red tip.
4. No points will be awarded if the red tip of rocket lies outside the 60 degrees sector as mentioned in figure 1.
5. Two trials will be given to the participants and the best of the two horizontal distances(in metres)will be considered as Round 1 score.
6. Participants are allowed to use different rockets and launcher for this round.
7. The teams who successfully crosses the barrier of 60 metres are eligible for the finals.

Round 2: The Finals

1. The task is to make the rocket land on the defined zones to earn the maximum points.
2. Zones are defined as follows: [See figure 1]
   • a. Zone 1: 55m-60m : 100 Points
   • b. Zone 2: 50m-55m : 80 points
   • c. Zone 3: 45m-50m : 60 points
   • d. Zone 4: (<45m) or (>60) : 30 points
   • e. No points will be awarded if the red tip of rocket lies outside the 60 degrees sector.
3. Three trials will be given to the participants. The average of the best two will be considered as the Round 2 score.
4. The participants are allowed to use different rockets and launcher for all the trials.
5. If a participant fails to satisfy any safety norm in any of the trials, the trial will be counted as an official trial and will be called as missed. No points will be awarded for this trial.
6. The team, with highest score according to the scoring formula as mentioned under " Scoring " will be declared as the winner.

Scoring

Total = Round 1 Score + Round 2 Score

Eligibility

All students with a valid identity card of their respective educational institutes are eligible to participate.

Team Size

A maximum of three members in a team is allowed in a team. Students from different educational institutes are allowed to make a team.

Disqualification

Any of the clause if satisfied may lead to disqualification of a team:

1. If any rocket is found to be dangerous to launch by the organizers and judges.
2. If the rocket doesn't have a triggering mechanism to safely launch the rocket from a distance of 2m from the launcher.
3. If a rocket blasts before the launch.
4. If a rocket launches before indicated by the organizers.
5. If any part of rocket breaks off during the time of flight.
6. If any design rule,not abided by the participant may lead to disqualification.
7. The organizers reserve all rights to change any of the above rules as they deem fit. Change in rules, if any will be highlighted on the website.
8. In case of any discrepancy decision of the judges shall be treated as final and binding on all.

Certificate Policy

1. A participant who successfully launches a rocket adhering all the safety norms and travels a distance greater than 60 metres will be awarded certificate of participation.
2. The top three teams with be awarded the certificate of excellence.

View Resources

Resources

1. Vertical Water Rocket
2. Water Rocket
3. About Water Rockets
4. Launcher

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