UK Aerospace Youth Rocketry Challenge (UKAYRoC)
WORKSOP COLLEGE WINS THE 2011 UK AEROSPACE YOUTH ROCKETRY CHALLENGE (UKAYRoC) FINALS
On 10 May 2011, the egg-citing finals of this year’s UKAYRoC schools competition for 11-18 year-olds, led by A|D|S, Space Connections and the Royal Aeronautical Society, took place at the Bruntingthorpe Proving Ground, Leicestershire, welcoming 20 teams of finalists from schools around the UK.
This year’s criteria for the rockets were: 750 ft altitude, a flight time of between 40-45 seconds, then return the egg and altimeter payload section safely and undamaged to earth using a single 15 inch parachute only. Worksop College Team 2 came first reaching an altitude of 758 feet in 44.6 seconds with their payload landing unbroken. There were a few hair-raising moments during the fly-offs but overall the standard of this year’s entries was excellent.
Graham Chisnall, Managing Director AeroSpace and Operations of A|D|S, said: “The display from Worksop College has been an inspiring display of innovation, talent and the application of classroom learning into a very demanding and tough competition. After months of designing, building, trial and error, this result has been a very well deserved victory.
”The students gathered on the field today are an insight into the quality of tomorrow’s advanced engineers, and have been able to witness some of creative aspects of engineering first hand. The benefit of such a competition brings to life the science, technology, engineering and mathematics subjects which are an essential part to ensuring the continuation of the UK’s advanced manufacturing success. A|D|S is proud to make an important contribution to their development through this exciting competition.”
They will now face finalists from the USA and France on 24 June at the Paris Airshow 2011 in the Tri-Nation final. The UK team will be seeking to regain the title having lost to the US challenger which won last year’s competition held at the Farnborough Airshow 2010. We wish them the best of luck!
Many thanks to this year’s sponsors: Chemring (Platinum sponsor), Rolls-Royce (Gold sponsor) and Raytheon (Silver sponsor).
Find out more at : www.ukayroc.co.uk
