2011 NPL Water Rocket Challenge
The increasingly hotly contested Water Rocket Challenge will take place this year on the 15th June.
This years’ challenge with the biggest and best rocket challenge so far. There are separate competitions for schools and other teams to bring their rockets and launchers along to compete. There are rumours that the world’s largest water rocket will make an appearance on the day!
All interested parties are welcome to participate or spectate on the day (general spectators evening only). The schools-only competition will happen during the afternoon and the evening session is open to all to join the ‘just turn up’ workshops. You don’t even need to build your own rockets beforehand.
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first person in space, an eggstra egg-based payload challenge has been added to this years events. Challenges were initially based purely on distance and altitude, but more recently require a skill-full combination of landing accuracy (in a zone about 65m from launch position) with time of flight.
Highlights of the 2010 event:
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBeozP6iGOM&w=500&h=400]
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Registration is now open for this event and there are only 45 launch bays available – book early to avoid disappointment. If you have any questions, email waterrockets@npl.co.uk.
The NPL Water Rocket Challenge has been running since 2003 with over 400 teams of six having participated. It has raised over £10,000 for charity. The enthusiasm for this event is spreading! The team at NPL have helped other organisations setup similar events including the Wales Water Rocket Challenge and at the Cheltenham Science Festival.
[Update] Video highlights of this year’s challenge
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGms83MYk-o]
