The Albuquerque Rocket Society
An organization dedicated to the pursuit of Model and High Power Rocketry
ARS 2026 Contests
This contest is open to any club member.
Rocket must launch a standard 500 ml disposable water bottle, unopened and full of water, to maximum altitude. Total impulse is limited to 320 N-s. Water bottle and rocket must be returned intact and flyable to witness by another club member.
This contest is open to any club member.
Airframe must be at least 2.5 inches in diameter for at least 2 feet. Total impulse is limited to 160 N-s. The purpose of the handicapped rocket altitude competition is to achieve the highest possible altitudes when there are restrictions on both the total impulse used and the minimum rocket diameter and length. Restricting a rocket's total impulse and diameter shifts the emphasis toward modifying weight, drag, and design to increase altitude. Limiting to G-class motors keeps the contest open to all certification levels. The current Tripoli record is 5828 ft AGL.
This contest is open to any club member.
Rules:
Notes:
Contest Number One: H Water Bottle Altitude
This contest is open to any club member.
Rocket must launch a standard 500 ml disposable water bottle, unopened and full of water, to maximum altitude. Total impulse is limited to 320 N-s. Water bottle and rocket must be returned intact and flyable to witness by another club member.
Contest Number Two: G Handicap
This contest is open to any club member.
Airframe must be at least 2.5 inches in diameter for at least 2 feet. Total impulse is limited to 160 N-s. The purpose of the handicapped rocket altitude competition is to achieve the highest possible altitudes when there are restrictions on both the total impulse used and the minimum rocket diameter and length. Restricting a rocket's total impulse and diameter shifts the emphasis toward modifying weight, drag, and design to increase altitude. Limiting to G-class motors keeps the contest open to all certification levels. The current Tripoli record is 5828 ft AGL.
Contest Number Three: Astro-Chicken Duration
This contest is open to any club member.
Rules:
- Must launch a classic rubber chicken (Loftus, 20)
- Rubber chicken will be supplied by Nathan-contact me if you intend to enter this contest
- Chicken must separate from rocket and descend under its own parachute
- Chicken should be labeled with owner's name and phone number
- Total impulse limited to 160 N-s (full G)
- Can be clustered or staged
- Rocket must be recovered safely and in flyable condition
- Duration is measured from liftoff to touchdown of chicken, and can be measured manually by another club member, or by electronic device that indicates launch and touchdown
- Longest time aloft wins
- If astro-chicken goes out of sight, the timer stops when rocket is not visible, unless an electronic device is present on the chicken to measure moment of landing-in which case the timing device is used for landing estimate.
Notes:
- My sample is 174.3 g
- Fits in a 4" airframe
- Folds readily
ARS Contest Results
H Water Bottle Altitude
| Date/Location | Flyer/Rocket | Altitude Achieved | Motor | Altimeter Used |
| 3/14/26 / RR | Nathan Dalrymple / GHandi-1 | 5,995 | CTI H255 | FW Blue Jay + Silicdyne Reperix |
G Handicap
| Date/Location | Flyer/Rocket | Altitude Achieved | Motor | Altimeter Used |
| 5/10/26 / RR | Nathan Dalrymple / GHandi-1 | 5,447 | G12ST | FW Blue Jay |
Astro-Chicken Duration
| Date/Location | Flyer/Rocket | Duration | Motor | Altimeter Used |
| 6/13/26 / RR | Hunter Raush / Egg-ccelerator | 33 s | G64W-7 | Adafruit RP2040 Feather |