The rocket competition will be hosted by the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) and the National Association of Rocketry (NAR). It is a rocket design and launch contest for U.S. high school students. The five winning student teams will share a total prize pool of approximately $50,000 in savings bonds. The students' supervising teachers' departments will share $9,000 in cash.
"The AIA and NAR have created a fine opportunity for students to learn valuable scientific lessons, as well as meet young people with similar interests from across the nation," said Senator Collins. "I encourage Maine students to participate, as I believe it will be an educational and fun experience."
The rocket challenge involves designing, building, and flying a multi-stage model rocket weighing fewer than 3.3 pounds at lift off. The rockets will be carrying two raw eggs. The goal is to carry the eggs up to 1500 feet, as measured by a miniature altimeter, and then bring the eggs back safely to earth. A fly-off competition for the top 100 teams will be held in Northern Virginia in April, 2003.
AIA represents the nation's major manufacturers of commercial, military and business aircraft, helicopters, aircraft engines, missiles, spacecraft, materials, and related components and equipment. The NAR is the nation's largest and oldest non-profit organization for sport rocketry consumers, focusing primarily on education, public information, and the setting of nationally-recognized safety standards for sport rocket motors and sport rocket flying. More information on the event can be found at www.aia-aerospace.org or www.rocketcontest.org.