National Space Society to Host "Reach for the Stars" Rocket Contest at International Space Development Conference

The Southwest Florida Chapter of the National Space Society under the direction of chapter founder Jay Wittner, will be challenging attendees at the International Space Development Conference to compete in the national Reach for the Stars Rocket Contest.

Wittner states, “As it is part of the mission of the NSS to “support …relevant science …oriented education” it makes sense that NSS would be involved in a program that excites kids as well as adults about rocket flight.” For without rockets there will be no exploration and colonization of space. Without the interest and enthusiasm of the next generation of space explorers, all of today’s efforts may be lost.

To achieve the goals of the NSS, we must enlist the minds and hearts of America’s youth. They will be the ones to pick up the torch and carry it forward. Before you can enlist their minds you have to get their attention. A rocket launch is the perfect attention getter. And the only thing more exciting than a rocket launch is a rocket contest

The 28th annual International Space Development Conference is the perfect setting for a rocket contest. The conference brings together an amazing array of speakers and presenters representing the present and future of space. Representatives from NASA and the private sector will share their views and aspirations of space research. What a perfect place for a launch!

Each of the competitors will build and launch an Estes solid-fuel powered rocket. The rockets must be built to the manufacturer’s specifications with no modifications. Their goal is to have the closest landing to a downrange target. The three contestants with the closest landings launch again to determine the local winner. The local winner’s information will be entered into the national contest.

National winners have two celebrations from which to choose. They can receive their award and launch at the Astronaut Hall of Fame and celebrate at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex and get to ride the Shuttle Launch Experience and visit the Astronaut Memorial or they can receive their award from famed author Homer Hickam and launch from “Cape Coalwood” with the original “Rocket Boys” at the October Sky Festival in West Virginia. All national winners receive a framed Space Shuttle Challenger commemorative coin signed by Christa McAuliffe’s mother, Grace Corrigan, and more.

The contest is in its third year and promotes the Helping Kids Reach for the Stars program and honors the legacy of Christa McAuliffe - NASA’s first Teacher-in-Space. Everyone who launches gets a commemorative certificate of achievement bearing Christa McAuliffe’s, “Reach for the Stars” quote Dr. Warren Layfield, Educational Director at COSROCS (Colorado Springs Rocket Society) and TARC mentor considers the Reach for the Stars Rocket Contest to be the “perfect training ground for kids who will go on to more challenging competitions like the Team America Rocketry Challenge and NASA’s Student Launch Initiative.

Tickets to the Astronaut Hall of Fame and Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex for three national winners and their families are provided by DNC Parks. Lodging and breakfast is compliments of the award winning Country Inns and Suites by Carlson in Cocoa Beach, Florida. Without the generosity of these companies, the winners’ celebration would not be possible.

The contest presents a fantastic opportunity to young rocketeers. Contest directors Jack and Kathy Colpas boast that, “National winners receive memories to last a lifetime and bragging rights for generations to come.” For more details about the Reach for the Stars Rocket Contest go to www.TheRocketman.net.