1. Ping Pong Parachute
San Diego Regional

2. The Goal
Design, build, and test up to two bottle rockets to launch a ping pong ball with a parachute to achieve maximum time aloft.

3. You will need… You may bring… SO will provide… A Rocket (or 2)
A Parachute with Ping Pong Ball (or 2)
A Practice Log
You may bring…
A Pump & Pressure Gauge
Both scales were chosen because they do not need an incidental (flat or sharp) to play the scale. Finding music that friendly is tough.
SO will provide…
The Launcher
A Pump & Pressure Gauge if needed

4. Rocket Bottle Construct from ≤ 1-liter bottles (3a)
Plastic, carbonated beverage bottle
Nozzle: ≈ 2.2 cm internal diameter Fit ½ inch Schedule 40 PVC pipe
Neck: ≤ 1.6 cm length from flange to opening
Both scales were chosen because they do not need an incidental (flat or sharp) to play the scale. Finding music that friendly is tough.

5. Rocket Dimensions Rocket nose must be rounded/blunt at the tip (3c)
No parts within 5cm of opening (3e)
3.1 cm diameter
1.25 cm tall
Both scales were chosen because they do not need an incidental (flat or sharp) to play the scale. Finding music that friendly is tough.
Rule 3c: Nose must not touch inside of bottle cap
Rule 3e: No fins or anything else in these 5 cm

6. Rocket Construction Attachments to the bottle must use tape (3d)
Nothing that can alter the structural integrity of the bottle is allowed (3b), e.g. no cutting, no hot glue
Only air pressure can be used to launch the rocket
No water, chemical reactions, electrical devices, etc. (3f)
Building Policy
Expect the Event Supervisors to ask questions regarding rocket design and construction.
Both scales were chosen because they do not need an incidental (flat or sharp) to play the scale. Finding music that friendly is tough.

7. Practice Log At least 5 parameters At least 15 flights FIXED SELECTED
Pressure (psi)
Peak Height (m)
Time Aloft (s)
Additional Variable #1
Additional Variable #2
FIXED
Most useful for competition day:
Find best pressure
Highest peak altitude
Minimize chances of hitting the ceiling
SELECTED
Best for designing rocket:
Number of fins
Parachute diameter
Parachute shape
Parachute weight

8. Launchers and Pumps Pump may be provided by the team
Launcher will connect with Shrader Valve
Launchers:

9. Competition – Pre-Launch
Eye protection “B” is required – Z87+
Rockets will be inspected for safety AFTER teams come with proper eye protection (4a)
DURING inspection, teams must present a flight log
Teams without a flight log cannot compete (4b)
Teams USE flight log data pick a pressure choice that ensures the rocket won’t hit the ceiling
A good flight log is key to them allowing teams compete.

10. Competition – Launching
Teams get 5 minutes for 2 launches
Either 1 rocket twice or 2 rockets once each
Launching:
Load rocket on the launcher.
Before pressurizing, place the ping pong ball and parachute into/on the rocket.
Don’t mess this up! Ball and parachute placement is important!
Teams pressurize their rocket.
No rocket manipulation can happen once this starts.
Event Supervisor will check the pressure gauge.
When everyone is ready, 1 team member launches the rocket.

11. Competition – Timing Timing STARTS when the rocket leaves the launcher
NOT when the team member yells “LAUNCH!”
If there’s any mishap and the rocket doesn’t launch, the team should get another try.
Timing ENDS when:
the rocket or parachute touches the ceiling, or anything attached to the ceiling => Tier 3 
the unseparated rocket and ping-pong ball touches the ground => Tier 2 
the separated ping-pong ball touches the ground => Tier 1 

12. Scoring
Ranking is determined by the greatest time aloft of a ping- pong ball during a SINGLE launch.
Ties are broken by each team’s OTHER launch
Times are measured to the nearest 0.01 seconds.
3 Event Supervisors must time each run. The median time measurement is the officially recorded time.

13. Venue Miramar USD – Not announced Student Services Foyer (tentative)
13.5 Meter ceiling
USD – Not announced

14. Suggestions Minimize weight for maximum altitude
Focus on designing a good parachute
Circular parachutes have the most surface area/material
Materials: Rip stop nylon, drop cloth, garbage bags
Focus on separation
Passive: parachute falls off at apogee
Active: mechanical system pushes parachute out
Focus on parachute inflation
Catch air as quickly as possible

15. Resources Problem Solving / Technology CD
Ping Pong Parachute Digital DVD
scilympiad.com/san-diego-so/QnAs
scioly.org/forums/viewforum.php?f=317