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2021 Space Derby
Sept. 18 at Faith United Methodist Church
9:00 Check-in - 10:00 Opening Ceremony
What is Space Derby?
The space derby kit consists of a balsa wood block, propeller assembly, rubber bands, plastic sheet (for fins), and a mounting bracket. The woodblock comes out of the box with a drilled out center hole. The block is carved into the desired shape, sanded and painted. The mounting bracket and fins can be added either before or after painting. The rubber band is inserted through the center hole with one end on the propeller and the other held in a cross-piece at the rear.
The completed rockets are wound up with a mechanical winder on the propeller and suspended on a string from a separate bracket with the propeller held in place. Four lanes are used for each race. The rockets are held in place and launched when the mechanism releases the propeller.
Check out the Youtube video below to see a Space Derby launch! This year we will be using a brand new aluminum track with electronic timers.
Before race day
Building Tips
7-inch x 2.75 inches maximum, no weight limit
Lighter is better
Multiple layers of paint and stickers add weight. Marker ink is light and easy for the Scouts to apply.
Super Glue works very well for attaching the plastic pieces to the body.
The body is balsa and can be easily shaped with sandpaper. Power tools are not needed.
Do not forget the ‘notch’ in the back of the rocket to hold the dowel.
Feel free to browse Google and YouTube for lots of cool design ideas but always come back to our official rules before building.
Vital Space Derby knowledge that transcends tip status (seriously, pay attention here)
Kits distributed at Pack or Den meetings are ‘free’ for registered Scouts. Additional kits (limited supplies) may be purchased from Paul Thayer for $6 each. The Scout stores also sell kits for $5.99 + tax
Rockets are to be built to the official specifications in the instruction sheet with the exception of the rubber bands. The pack will provide and install official race day bands at check-in
Example rocket will be available at the front desk before meetings if anyone would like to see how they are assembled.
Take your time, have fun with your Scout and teach/learn about the building process
Do not lose the tiny brass bushing! It is recommended to tape the bushing and propeller hook together ASAP so that it doesn't get lost. REALLY TINY, REALLY IMPORTANT
Have fun, learn, teach and let your Scout exercise their creativity.
The propeller hook must be bent far enough over the propeller hub to engage the blades. If it isn't, the rocket will not move.
The plastic tube is there to prevent damage to the rubber bands.
The propeller hub is rounded on the bottom and that is what should be touching the bushing. This ensures that the propeller blade is facing the proper direction.
Do not forget the "notch" in the back of the rocket to hold the dowel. (yes, twice)
Do not install rubber bands other than for testing purposes. All rockets will receive a new set of race-ready bands at check-in.
Do not glue the nose button or propeller assembly to the rocket.
On race day
Arrive early. Check-in starts at 9:00
Bring a completed rocket body, an assembled propeller assembly and the dowel... all separate.
Rocket must have dry paint and glue - wet rockets will not be allowed to race
Rockets must be sturdy! We want to give every Scout a fair chance but we cannot pause the races for repairs.
Scouts will race each other in their own ranks for trophies before moving on to the pack finals where they will compete for the "Pack Champion" Trophy
If your Scout is eliminated early on race day, please encourage them to be a good Scout and sportsman by staying and supporting their fellow Scouts. Learning how to lose graciously is just as important as learning how to win graciously.
Official Space Derby Rules
Have fun building this kit with your Scout!
All rockets must pass the following inspection to qualify for the race:
Only basic materials supplied in the Official BSA kit may be used. The hanging device supplied in the kit must be used.
The nose cone (propeller assembly) must not be glued in place on the nose of the rocket. A notch or groove should be formed in the tail of the rocket to seat the band holding dowel. The band holding dowel must not be glued in place. (These rules allow band replacement in case of breaks and for inspections)
The rocket body may be no longer than 7 inches, not including the propeller and fins.
The rocket must be no more than 5.0 inches in width or extend further than the propeller.
Each rocket should use two rubber bands; issued on race day by an official.
There are no restrictions on the weight or design of the rocket.
Rockets may be detailed in any way as long as it does not exceed length or width restrictions, is flight-worthy, structurally sound and does not interfere with another rocket during the race.
Rockets with wet paint will be disqualified
Scout may use graphite powder between the propeller and the bushing if desired. Other forms of lubrication are prohibited.
Scouts shall use a rocket built for this year, no rockets built for previous years will be allowed.
Each Rocket will be wound the same amount of turns(100). The track will be 40 feet.
Prior to each heat, rocket numbers and lane assignments will be announced. Hanger Officials will take rockets from the Space Hanger and give them to the Official Winders who will wind the rockets and then mount them at the Starting Gate. Upon completion of the race, “Space Command” will give the rocket to Official Runners who will return the rockets to Hanger Officials to place back in the designated space hanger.
At registration, Officials will assign a number to the rocket and separate Rockets by Rank.
Once the rocket is checked for compliance and registered, no further adjustments can be made except in the case of mechanical failure (see 6).
Each rocket will run in each lane(4 runs). The rockets with the three best overall times will be the winners for that rank. Officials reserve the right to convert the race to single-run, depending on the number of registered participants.
Any rocket that experiences a mechanical failure will be allowed to re-race if it can be repaired during the same heat. It will count as a heat loss if it cannot be repaired prior to the beginning of the next heat. All repairs of this type must be done with “Space Command” observing and certifying as to its flight worthiness.
In the event that all rockets don’t reach the end of the track, the one that goes the furthest is declared the winner.
One Rocket Only per scout.
Only Racing Officials are allowed in the Space Track and Hanger areas.
No late registrations will be accepted after the Pack has started the race.
Racing will be conducted using the Lane Rotation Method
All rulings by “Space Command” are FINAL.
Examples of completed rockets...
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