Ping Pong Parachute 1 Ping Pong Parachute San

Ping Pong Parachute 1 Ping Pong Parachute San Diego Regional

Ping Pong Parachute 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. 2

Ping Pong Parachute You will need… • A Rocket (or 2) • A Parachute with Ping Pong Ball (or 2) • A Practice Log You may bring… • A Pump & Pressure Gauge SO will provide… • The Launcher • A Pump & Pressure Gauge if needed 3

Ping Pong Parachute Rocket Bottle • 4

Ping Pong Parachute Rocket Dimensions 5 • Rocket nose must be rounded/blunt at the tip (3 c) • No parts within 5 cm of opening (3 e) 3. 1 cm diameter 1. 25 cm tall Rule 3 c: Nose must not touch inside of bottle cap Rule 3 e: No fins or anything else in these 5 cm

Ping Pong Parachute Rocket Construction • Attachments to the bottle must use tape (3 d) • Nothing that can alter the structural integrity of the bottle is allowed (3 b), e. g. no cutting, no hot glue • Only air pressure can be used to launch the rocket • No water, chemical reactions, electrical devices, etc. (3 f) • Building Policy • Expect the Event Supervisors to ask questions regarding rocket design and construction. 6

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

Ping Pong Parachute Launchers and Pumps • Pump may be provided by the team • Launcher will connect with Shrader Valve • Launchers: • https: //www. nerdsinc. com/products • https: //www. amazon. com/Bottle-Water-Launcher-trigger-Shipping/dp/B 01 N 9 VPW 79 8

Ping Pong Parachute Competition – Pre-Launch • Eye protection “B” is required – Z 87+ • Rockets will be inspected for safety AFTER teams come with proper eye protection (4 a) • DURING inspection, teams must present a flight log • Teams without a flight log cannot compete (4 b) • 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. 9

Ping Pong Parachute Competition – Launching • Teams get 5 minutes for 2 launches • Either 1 rocket twice or 2 rockets once each • Launching: 1. Load rocket on the launcher. 2. Before pressurizing, place the ping pong ball and parachute into/on the rocket. • Don’t mess this up! Ball and parachute placement is important! 3. Teams pressurize their rocket. • No rocket manipulation can happen once this starts. 4. Event Supervisor will check the pressure gauge. 5. When everyone is ready, 1 team member launches the rocket. 10

Ping Pong Parachute 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 11

Ping Pong Parachute Scoring • Ranking is determined by the greatest time aloft of a pingpong 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. 12

Ping Pong Parachute Venue • Miramar • Student Services Foyer (tentative) • 13. 5 Meter ceiling • USD – Not announced 13

Ping Pong Parachute 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 14

Ping Pong Parachute Resources • Problem Solving / Technology CD • Ping Pong Parachute Digital DVD • www. soinc. org/ping-pong-parachute • www. soinc. org/events/rules-clarifications • scilympiad. com/san-diego-so/Qn. As • scioly. org/forums/viewforum. php? f=317 15