TARC - Team America Rocketry Challenge

Your source for TARC - Team America Rocketry Challenge contest information and supplies

Now Available - 2012 Rules

Contest Background

The Team America Rocketry Challenge (TARC) is the world's largest rocket contest, sponsored by the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) and the National Association of Rocketry (NAR). It was created in the fall of 2002 as a one-time celebration of the Centennial of Flight, but the enthusiasm about the event was so great that AIA and NAR were asked to hold the contest annually.

Approximately 7,000 students from across the nation compete in TARC each year. Teams design, build and fly a model rocket that reaches a specific altitude and duration determined by a set of rules developed each year. The contest is designed to encourage students to study math and science and pursue careers in aerospace.

The top 100 teams, based on local qualification flights, are invited to Washington, DC in May for the national finals. Prizes include $60,000 in cash and scholarships split between the top 10 finishers. NASA invites top teams to participate in their Student Launch Initiative, an advanced rocketry program. AIA member companies, such as Lockheed Martin and Raytheon have sponsored additional prizes such as scholarship money and a trip to an international air show.

TARC is becoming bigger and better every year with the attendees and prizes growing annually. Register now to be a part of the excitement!

Supplies

Sunward has a large number of supplies for use in building your TARC rocket. Sorry, but we don't carry engines or streamers at this time. Streamers are coming along with other TARC specific supplies.

You can use the menu on the side for links to all kits and supplies or the site map. There is also a master list of supplies at Model Rocket Parts

Official Rules and Resources:

Summary

Official TARC 2012 rules

Brief Summary

TARC 2012 registration opens on September 7, 2011

Streamer Calculations pdf file

Streamer Recovery Tutorial pdf file

Join the Yahoo TARC Group

Changes from the 2011 to 2012 Rules

1. two (2) eggs payloadaltitude goal 800 feet
2. duration goal 43 to 47 seconds
3. liftoff mass limit 650 grams
4. rocket motor total impulse limit 80 Newton-seconds (F or below)
5. recovery by parachute of any size
6. any of three altimeters permitted: Perfectflite ALT15K/WD, APRA, or Pnut
7. 1000 team limit, no more than 5 per school
8. third flight at the Finals to settle any tie for 1st through 3rd places (only)