Introduction to Egg Lofting and the Team America Rocketry Challenge
Egg Lofting can become an art form when you start competing against others to see who can get an egg the highest, or stay aloft the longest. The Team America Rocketry Challenge is for kids in 7th through 12th grade and they compete for $60,000 worth of prizes and a chance at international competition. The goal of this lens is to share tips on how to compete in Egg Lofting Rocket Competitions. For teams that require support, check the National Association of Rocketry Website. Teams must have a registered successful flight within the qualification time period.
The 2010 TARC his year's challenge is to design, build and fly a model rocket that reaches exactly 825 feet, stays aloft for between 40 and 45 seconds and returns the raw egg payload uncracked
Good Luck!
--Todd Member NAR
The 2010 TARC his year's challenge is to design, build and fly a model rocket that reaches exactly 825 feet, stays aloft for between 40 and 45 seconds and returns the raw egg payload uncracked
Good Luck!
--Todd Member NAR
Educational Grants
Find resources to support your team.
- Apogee Components
- Win $300 in Apogee Components' merchandise for your educational program!
Eggs
For initial testing of an egg lofter, Wooden and ceramic eggs are available at most hobby stores and can make for less messy initial testing. The wooden egg can also have additional weight added to it to match the weight requirement. Egg lofting competitions usually require the egg to weigh with in a certain range.Currently TARC specifies a Grade A Egg for 2009. The challenge this year is that it must be carried in a sideways orientation. Luckily, only 1 egg needs to be lofted.
Altitude
Egg lofting competitions are often for altitude and the weight and aerodynamics of the rocket become very important.
The TARC competition specifies that the altitude of 825 feet must be achieved or else points are deducted depending how far under or over a flight reaches. An altimeter is required for the TARC competition.
The TARC competition specifies that the altitude of 825 feet must be achieved or else points are deducted depending how far under or over a flight reaches. An altimeter is required for the TARC competition.
Altimeter from Amazon
PerfectFlite Altimeter
Amazon Price: $87.42 (as of 12/23/2009) 
PerfectFlite USB Data Transfer Kit
Amazon Price: $34.61 (as of 12/23/2009)
Time Aloft
A second egg lofting competition is for seeing how long you can keep you egg aloft. Timing starts as soon as the engine ignites. For a predicted duration event, test frequently and modify the rockets weight to reach the time objective.
The TARC competition requires the egg to be aloft for 40-45 seconds and points again are deducted based upon how far off a flight is from this target. Some tricks and technology exist to help with this objective such as dual deployment technologies or by modifying a parachute for faster decent.
The TARC competition requires the egg to be aloft for 40-45 seconds and points again are deducted based upon how far off a flight is from this target. Some tricks and technology exist to help with this objective such as dual deployment technologies or by modifying a parachute for faster decent.
New Flickr Photos
8 foot Rocket. Used Estes Blue Ninja parts converted to the E engine size.
curated content from Flickr
Recovery/Parachute
Parachutes come in many sizes and designs. Sometimes competitors cut a hole out of the parachute to quicken the decent. This is a good trick but remember, your egg must survive the landing to be a qualified flight.For larger rockets, using a dual deployment system where an additional parachute is deployed at a set altitude can help support a safe faster decent.
Nose Cones / Egg Capsule
Many Vendors sell nose cones for either single or dual egg loft competitions.The 2009 rule that the egg must be carried in a sideways orientation may require a larger nose cone if this is where the egg will be placed.
I have used the Paper Nose Cone Plan from this site to build an egglofter.
Engines
Rocket competitions often specify which engine size must be used but usually the B class is the lowest chosen given the weight of an egg.The TARC Competition does not specify an engine class so participants can choose whatever they want. The choice will be made based upon your rocket's performance and the time and altitude requirement. Given only one egg needs to be launched, it should be less expensive for teams to compete.
I'll post what I have found works best after I start my testing.
Rocket Body
Take your pick! I have built paper Vellum egg lofters to keep the rocket weight down. The diameter is often based upon the size of the egg capsule. I often use thin cardboard like from a calendar as shown in the picture to build the rocket body. The one in the picture used mylar tape to hold the body together then I dropped in a engine tube with a centering ring. The last step was to attach fins.For TARC competitions, a larger nose cone might be needed to support the required sideways egg orientation for 2009. Additionally, the rocket must house an altimeter. I have seen the Big Daddy used for other egg lofting competitions because of its large nose cone.
Shock Cord & Elastic Cord
Kevlar Thread and elastic cord is used to reduce the strain from the ejection charge on the nose cone. If it is note done well it is possible that the nose cone will separate from the rocket and the flight be declared unsafe and disqualified. Another common trick is to use a slip knot and tie the kevlar threat around the engine. Place the thread all the way through the rocket then add the engine and tie the knot.
Remember to tie the kevlar to the elastic at multiple sections to get better shock performance. Stretch the elastic and measure at what point on the kevlar to tie to the stretched location.
Remember to tie the kevlar to the elastic at multiple sections to get better shock performance. Stretch the elastic and measure at what point on the kevlar to tie to the stretched location.
Launch Tower
Competitors often use launch towers to improve the performance of the flights. The tower removes the necessity of a launch lug on the rocket. Most towers support three fin rockets.TARC teams often build their own towers to be familiar with how to use it and to understand the tower's contribution to the rockets performance.
Fins, number of, what type
Use a fin material which will have appropriate strength and allow for easier transport of the rocket. Balsa wood is used for competition rockets and fiberglass for larger models. Great Stuff on Amazon
Handbook of Model Rocketry, 7th Edition (NAR Official Handbook)
Amazon Price: $15.61 (as of 12/23/2009)
Backyard Rocketry: Converting Model Rockets Into Explosive Missiles
Amazon Price: $10.00 (as of 12/23/2009)
Model Rocketry Handbook: 21st Century Edition
Amazon Price: $27.50 (as of 12/23/2009)
Reader Feedback
If you are a TARC Team, please leave a message on the content or any suggestions you have.
Thanks,
--Todd
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New YouTube vids
Water Rockets competition, QSI-PLC vs. AIS
Water rocket launch in Anaco, Venezuela. The Anaco team (the Russians) whipped the ELA team (the Americans) in an egg loft competion. My parachute failed but their's deployed 5 out of 6 times.
Runtime: 1:03 | 669 views | 1 Comments
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