54 Space Systems Competition

54.1 Scope
Space Systems Competition comprises a single event open to any entry that closely resembles an existing or historical guided missile, rocket vehicle, or space vehicle, that has flown under rocket power, simulates in-flight performance of the prototype vehicle, and optionally includes a launcher. The purpose of this competition is to duplicate in miniature the full-scale operation of a sounding rocket or space vehicle and its launch complex.

Operation simulations may include, but are not limited to: Egg Loft Competition simulating astronauts or cosmonauts, Precision Predicted Altitude achieving the scale altitude of the prototype, Precision Predicted Duration achieving the flight duration of the prototype, Spot Landing Competition simulating planned recovery, clustering, staging, and deployments.

54.2 Judging
The model rocket and its flight must comply with the rules of Sport Scale Competition (Rule 53) and shall be judged for static scale qualities according to the rules for Sport Scale Competition (Rule 53.12).

54.3 Launcher
Each entry may be accompanied by its own launcher which shall closely resemble the launcher of the prototype. If such a launcher is entered, it shall be judged for scale qualities at the same time and in the same manner as the model.

54.4 Points
All entries (including launchers if entered) shall be judged before flight for static points. Each model shall be judged for static scale qualities according to the rules for Sport Scale Competition (Rule 53.12). The model's static score shall be one tenth (1/10) the Sport Scale static score.

54.5 Flight
Each entry shall make a safe, stable flight. If the entry does not make a safe, stable flight, it shall be disqualified.

54.6 Additional Points

54.6.1 Flight Simulation: 200 points
Each model can be made to simulate the prototype vehicle's operation in any safe manner. The modeler must provide documentation that the feature being simulated is representative of the prototype's operation. Before flight, the modeler must provide a written flight plan listing those simulations to be attempted. Flight points may be awarded from a minimum of 0 to a maximum of 100 points from any single simulation according to the following schedule.
  • Egg Loft: 25 points per egg. Up to one egg per astronaut/cosmonaut. If any egg is cracked, the flight shall be disqualified.
  • Predicted Altitude: 50 points minus the score accumulated by Precision Predicted Altitude (Rule 22.6). Prediction must be the actual or scale prototype altitude.
  • Predicted Duration: 50 points minus the score accumulated by Precision Predicted Duration (Rule 39.6). Prediction must be the actual or scale prototype duration.
  • Spot Landing: 50 points minus the score accumulated by Spot Landing (Rule 60.6).
  • Multi-stage: 50 points per stage after first stage.
  • Cluster: 20 points per motor, -20 points per misfire.
  • Deployment: 50 points per simulated action.
  • Data transmission/photo/instrumentation: 50 points.
  • Launch from scale launch complex: 50 points. The launch complex shall be awarded points for accuracy, complexity, and craftsmanship.
  • Other simulations of rocket or launcher operations approved by the flight judges or the Contest Director: 50 points each.

54.7 Scoring
Space Systems Competition shall be scored as follows: the points awarded to the entry in Static judging shall be added to the points awarded to the entry in Flight Simulation. The contestant receiving the highest score is the winner.

Weighting Factor 28

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