With only a few weeks to go until registration for the 2009 UKAYRoC competition opens UKRA encourages all schools and youth groups to take part. The 2008 competition had teams from The Guide Association and ATC taking part along with the many school teams.

UKRA will be announcing in the next couple of weeks Youth Rocketry Introduction Sessions for teachers and youth group leaders so they can get familiar with all the skills involved in safely designing, building and flying model rockets so either keep checking back with us or contact us using our Youth Outreach contact form and we'll let you know when the dates are published.

For 2009, UKAYRoC and TARC teams have to design, construct and successfully launch a rocket to carry one raw medium size hen’s egg to an altitude of 750 feet with a flight time of 45 seconds. The external diameter of the rocket at the point where the egg is placed must be no less than 59 millimetres. The egg must be placed in the rocket “on its back” with its long axis perpendicular to the rocket’s intended direction of flight mimicking the position of an astronaut.

The team must be able to prove/demonstrate the orientation of the egg inside the rocket. In addition to the prize of a trip to the USA to attend the USA finals of TARC as Innovation is important in this competition a prize will be given for the most innovative method of proving the orientation of the egg.

Registration for this year’s UKAYROC will open on Monday 1st September. The top 20 teams will be invited to compete in our finals next Easter.