Australian Universities Rocket Competition 2018/2019 · TDU meal packages do not cover breakfast. As such, all teams will be required to bring As such, all teams will be required

Australian Universities Rocketry Competition Revision: 1.0 AURC-TDU Standard Operating Procedure Effective Date: 1/04/2019

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This electronic version is the official approved document.

Verify this is the correct version before use.

Australian Universities

Rocket Competition

2018/2019

AURC-TDU Standard Operating

Procedure (SOP)


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1 Introduction 3

1.1 Important Contact Information 3

1.2 AURC Committee Members 4

1.3 Abbreviations, Acronyms and Rocket Terminology 6

2 Schedule 7

2.1 AURC/TDU Events Summary 7

2.2 Competition Meals 8

2.3 AURC Awards Ceremony 8

3 AURC General Information and Conduct 9

3.1 General Information 9

3.1.1 Launch Site Location 9

3.1.2 Thunda Down Under Accommodation 10

3.1.3 Thunda Down Under Facilities 10

3.1.4 Thunda Down Under Approximate Site Layout 11

3.1.5 Use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) 12

3.2 AURC Team Members Conduct 12

4 Flight Line Operations 13

4.1 Launch Schedule 13

4.2 Launch Process 13

4.3 Payload Scrutineering 14

4.4 Rocket Recovery 14

4.5 Post Flight Inspection 14

4.6 Flight Crew 15

5 Suggested Equipment 16

5.1 Team equipment 16

6.1. Personal equipment 16

6 Special thanks 18

6.1 Gift for the farmer 18


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1 Introduction This document serves to provide a standard operating procedure for AURC teams whilst

attending Thunda Down Under 2019. It contains critical information for all team members,

including:

• AURC event scheduling,

• AURC general information and conduct,

• Flight line operations, and,

• A suggested list of equipment to bring along to Thunda Down Under.

It is strongly advised that all team members read and familiarise themselves with this document

to ensure that the AURC launch event at TDU runs smoothly.

1.1 Important Contact Information Note that mobile phone and internet reception will be limited at the Thunda Down Under

launch site. As such, contacting the AURC by phone or email from Tuesday 16th April onwards

will likely be very difficult. Please ensure your team has asked all critical questions before this

time.

Teams Coordinators

Adam Yarrow Alan Kosinski

[email protected] [email protected]

0456 752 534 0466 097 472

Director - Lewis McCluskey

[email protected]

0499 084 586

Logistics Lead - Thien Nguyen

[email protected]

0413 976 772

mailto:[email protected]





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1.2 AURC Committee Members

Director

Lewis McCluskey

[email protected]

Secretary/Graphic Designer

Matthew Hildebrandt

[email protected]

Teams Coordinator - Lead

Adam Yarrow

[email protected]

Teams Coordinator

Alan Kosinski

[email protected]

Media and Communications

Luan Dinh

[email protected]

Finance and Strategy

Dominique MacDonald

[email protected]




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Logistics - Lead

Thien Nguyen

[email protected]

Logistics

Yu Shen Chia

[email protected]

IT Specialist

Albert Sztolc

[email protected]

Advisor/AYAA President

Conor MacDonald

[email protected]


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1.3 Abbreviations, Acronyms and Rocket Terminology

ACO Advanced Certification Officers (L3 certification officer)

AURC Australian Universities Rocketry Competition

AYAA Australian Youth Aerospace Association

CATO Catastrophic failure of a rocket

Heads Up Rocket about to be launched may be at risk of doing something unpredictable OR a rocket is coming down in an uncontrolled fashion. Will be required to be upstanding if this is announced.

Lawn Dart Rocket that came in ballistic and landed nose first into the ground

LCO Launch Control Officer (AMRS Official - governs rocket range/launches rockets)

RRC3 AURC approved altimeter

RSO Range Safety Officer (AMRS Official - approves rockets for launch)

SOP Standard Operating Procedure

TDU Thunda Down Under


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2 Schedule 2.1 AURC/TDU Events Summary

MASTER 17th April 2019 18th April 2019 19th April 2019 20th April 2019 21st April 2019

Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday

8:00 AM

Travel to TDU

Set Up Booths + AURC Group Photo 8:00 - 9:00 AM

Gates Open to Public 8:30 AM

Gates Open to Public 8:30 AM

Pack Up and Leave

8:30 AM

9:00 AM Prototype Marking +

Team Photos 9:00 - 11:00 AM

Range Open

9:00AM - 4:00PM

TDU Launching Open 9:00 AM

TDU Launching Open 9:00 AM 9:30 AM

10:00 AM

Range Open 9:00AM - 4:30PM

Range Open 9:00AM - 4:00PM

10:30 AM

11:00 AM

11:30 AM

TDU Lunch 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM

TDU Lunch TDU Lunch TDU Lunch

12:00 PM Parachute Display 12:00 PM

Parachute Display 12:00 PM

TDU Event Close 12:00 PM 12:30 PM

1:00 PM

Registration 1:00 - 4:00 PM

TDU Lunch TDU Lunch TDU Lunch

1:30 PM

Range Open 9:00AM - 4:00PM Range Open

9:00AM - 4:30PM

2:00 PM Rocket Drag Race 2:00 PM Start 2:30 PM

3:00 PM 3:30 PM

4:00 PM Range Closed to Public 4:00 PM Range Closed to Public ~4:00 PM

4:30 PM Range Closed to Public 4:30 PM

5:00 PM

AURC Welcome Ceremony 5:00 PM Start

Wall of Fire

5:00 PM 5:30 PM TDU Dinner

5:30 - 7:00 PM

TDU Dinner 5:30 - 7:00 PM 6:00 PM TDU Banquet

+ AURC Awards 6:00 PM Start

6:30 PM Movie Screening

6:00 PM Start 7:00 PM

7:30 PM

8:00 PM Fireworks Display

8:00 PM Start 8:30 PM

Legend

AURC Event TDU Meals Travel Rocket Range Time TDU Event Free Time

NOTES:

1. Timelines above are subject to change at any time due to variations in TDU’s schedule or other unexpected events.

2. The AURC Awards Ceremony will be held in conjunction with the TDU Banquet Under the Starts on the Saturday evening.

3. AURC registration will occur at the AURC tent (location to be confirmed at TDU).


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2.2 Competition Meals The AURC will nominally not be providing teams with food during the course of the competition.

As such, teams have two primary options for food during the competition:

1. Bring in their own food for the course of the competition and cook onsite using their

own equipment.

2. Purchase lunch and dinner meal packages from TDU (only available Thursday – Sunday,

excluding Saturday dinner).

NOTES:

1. TDU meal packages do not cover breakfast. As such, all teams will be required to bring

along their own food for breakfast.

2. TDU dinner packages are not available for the Saturday evening due to the TDU Banquet

Under the Stars.

3. The meal times shown in Section 2.1 are the times at which food will be available if you

purchase the TDU meal packages.

As catering is unavailable by TDU on the Wednesday, ALL teams will be required to make

suitable arrangements for their own dinner for the Wednesday evening.

2.3 AURC Awards Ceremony The winner of the AURC will be announced on the Saturday evening as part of the TDU Banquet

Under the Stars.

As such, ALL team members are required to purchase tickets to the TDU Banquet Under the

Stars for $55. After the competition has finished the AURC will be reimbursing all team members

who attend the banquet $45. TDU Banquet tickets can be purchased here:

https://thunda2.com.au/product/banquet-under-the-stars/

Details on the reimbursement process will be released after the competition has concluded and

will be managed through team leaders.

https://thunda2.com.au/product/banquet-under-the-stars/


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3 AURC General Information and Conduct 3.1 General Information

3.1.1 Launch Site Location

The launch site is approximately 1 hour north of Goondiwindi, located on a working property

called “Funny Farm”.

The exact street address and GPS coordinates of the launch site are as follows:

Address = 9479 Meandarra-Talwood Rd, Bungunya.

GPS Coordinates = 28° 7’42.15″S 149°42’9.17″E

The following directions can be used when approaching Funny Farm from Brisbane (North):

• From Brisbane, make your way to Toowoomba.

• Leaving Toowoomba via Bridge St/Warrego Hwy/National Highway A2 (signs for

A2/Dalby), continue to follow Warrego Hwy/National Highway A2 for 80.2km to Dalby.

We recommend you refuel at Dalby or Moonie.

• At Dalby, turn left onto Moonie Hwy/Nicholson St/State Route 49 (signs for Tara/Saint

George/State Route 87). Continue to follow Moonie Hwy/State Route 49 for 184km.

• At the Westmar Roadhouse, turn left onto Meandarra-Talwood Rd and follow for

approximately 23km.

For approaching Funny Farm from Goondiwindi (South/West), the following directions apply:

• Head west on Barwon Highway for approximately 65km, then turn right onto Meandarra-

Talwood Rd and follow for approximately 33km.

Other critical information about the launch site/property is as follows:

1. Signage will indicate the direction of the campsite.

2. Please be mindful of kangaroos and other wildlife when driving around dusk/dawn.

3. If it rains and you are on a soft path/road, please get off it immediately or you will become

stuck.

4. There is an active unsealed airstrip on the site – DO NOT DRIVE ON THE AIRSTRIP

WITHOUT PRIOR APPROVAL.

5. Please drive at <40km/h on site.

6. Please avoid driving over crops or parking/stopping across any roads on site.

The image below shows the location of the launch site relative to Brisbane (Northern route

shown), along with other key towns.


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3.1.2 Thunda Down Under Accommodation

All AURC attendees are required to purchase a TDU ticket to attend the event. As part of the TDU

ticket onsite camping is included. The campsites provided by TDU are un-powered and campsite

locations will be distributed on a first come, first served basis.

If your team does not wish to camp onsite, the Thunda Down Under website

(https://thunda2.com.au/getting-there-accommodation/) provides additional details on

alternative accommodation options.

NOTE: The alternate accommodation options typically have very limited availability.

3.1.3 Thunda Down Under Facilities

As the AURC is being run at Thunda Down Under 2019 (TDU), TDU will be providing the primary

amenities for all team members. The following facilities will be available and supplied by Thunda

Down Under, however they may have limited availability:

• Toilets,

• Camping spaces,

• On-site bar, and,

• Launch controller and launch rails.

NOTE: Mobile phone and internet coverage is extremely limited (likely Telstra coverage only).

Should your team have any queries regarding the facilities available at TDU 2019, please direct

these questions to [email protected].

https://thunda2.com.au/getting-there-accommodation/





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3.1.4 Thunda Down Under Approximate Site Layout


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3.1.5 Use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)

The use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (quadcopters, multirotors, etc.) is permitted under

certain conditions. If you wish to operate any UAS equipment please consult with the TDU

Launch Director.

3.2 AURC Team Members Conduct As a participating member of the AURC, a representative of your University and a patron of TDU,

you will be responsible for conducting yourself in a safe and respectable manner. In particular,

all AURC attendees will be required to abide by the following code of conduct:

1. Alcohol consumption of any form whilst the range is open will not be tolerated. Any members found to be under the influence of alcohol during the launch schedule will be subject to eviction.

2. Heavy drinking and intoxication will not be tolerated at any time - participants engaging in these activities will be asked to leave.

3. Possessing or being under the influence of any illicit substances during TDU/AURC will not be tolerated. Any members found to be under the influence, or in possession of, illicit substances will be subject to eviction and reported to the authorities.

4. Smoking is not permitted within the AURC-TDU facilities. Smoking is only permitted within the designated TDU smoking areas.

5. You will be responsible for the cleanliness of your areas, which includes the flight line, camping area, and all other AURC common areas etc. After the event is over, your team must pack up all equipment and ensure that no rubbish is left behind and the area is returned to its original condition.

6. Ensure that you are respectful to everyone, including the AURC Committee, TDU Staff, other competitors and the general public.

7. Maintain a high level of safety at all times during the event. Any activities deemed to be unsafe will result in either a penalty or immediate disqualification. To ensure that proper flight safety is upheld, please refer to AMRS and TDU Safety Guidelines.

8. As the AURC is being held in conjunction with TDU, you must not create any major disruptions to the TDU event (or the TDU Patrons).

9. Follow any reasonable instructions given by AURC Committee members or TDU/AMRS staff members.


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4 Flight Line Operations 4.1 Launch Schedule There will be no official launch schedule that teams will be required to follow during the AURC

launch window (18th April - 20th April). Launching order will be determined by a, first come, first

served basis (as per all standard AMRS launches). Access to the AURC range will be granted by

the TDU Range Safety Officer (RSO) and Launch Control Officer (LCO).

When your team wishes to launch you must first present your rocket to the TDU RSO before

requesting permission to access the AURC range through the TDU LCO. The AURC range will be

open alongside the standard TDU range as follows:

Thursday 18th: 9am - 4pm (see Note 2)

Friday 19th: 9am - 4:30pm

Saturday 20th: 9am - ~4pm

Sunday 21st: 9am - 12pm (Not available for AURC launches – See Note 3)

NOTES:

1. Teams must comply with all instructions from the RSO and LCO when operating within the

flight line.

2. On the Thursday 18th the AURC Prototype Vehicle Design marking will occur. As such, whilst

the rocket range will be open from 9am it is expected that teams will be taking part of the

AURC marking event as per the AURC schedule (see Section 2).

3. As the AURC Competition winners are to be announced on the Saturday evening any

launches conducted by teams on the Sunday morning will not count towards the

competition. However, if your team wishes to make the most of TDU please feel free to

conduct any final launches during this time.

TDU is first and foremost a rocket event. All teams and participants are encouraged to bring their

rockets of all sizes to fly throughout the event. This is an opportunity to fly your low/mid power

and L1/L2 certification rockets again.

4.2 Launch Process The following steps outline the general process that AURC teams should follow when launching:

1. Prior to launch present your rocket and payload to the AURC Committee tent for payload

marking.

2. Prepare your rocket for launch.

3. Advise AMRS ACO of your intent to undertake an L3 certification [As required].

4. Present your rocket to the RSO for review and approval for flight.

5. Take your rocket and flight card to the LCO for approval to set up your rocket on the range.

6. Set up your rocket at the launch pad - get a group photo!

7. Return to the flight line and launch your rocket.

8. Recover your rocket and return to the flight line.

9. Present your rocket to an AMRS ACO for review [As required].

10. Present your rocket to the AURC Committee for post flight inspection and altitude

recording (flight performance marking).


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4.3 Payload Scrutineering Scrutineering of each team’s payload will be undertaken at the AURC main tent. Payloads may be

inspected anytime whilst the rocket range is open (see Section 4.1 for details). If your team wishes

to have your payload scrutinised please see one of the AURC Committee members at the AURC

main tent.

Every team’s payload will be required to be inspected before launch and will be marked in

accordance with the latest version of the AURC Flight Performance Marking Criteria/AURC Awards

and Scoring document. The AURC Committee strongly suggests having your payload inspected

early in the day/competition in order to avoid placing any unnecessary stress on your team’s

rocket preparation procedure.

NOTE: The AURC Committee will have limited opportunity to review payloads during the Prototype

Vehicle Marking. As such, we ask that only teams who wish to launch immediately on the Thursday

morning bring their payload up for inspection after their team’s Prototype Vehicle Design

presentation.

4.4 Rocket Recovery Teams are advised to retrieve their rockets in accordance with the guidance of the LCO/RSO (i.e.

waiting until the range is open to traverse it to collect a rocket). The AURC committee will not

be required to oversee the recovery process of your rocket.

Once your team has recovered your rocket and have returned to the flight line you will be

required to present your rocket to the AURC Committee at the AURC main tent for a post flight

inspection.

NOTE: For teams attempting an L3 certification you will need to first present your rocket to an

Advanced Certifying Officer (ACO) for review prior to inspection by the AURC Committee post

recovery.

4.5 Post Flight Inspection Upon retrieval of your rocket and return to the flight line your rocket will be required to be

inspected by the AURC Committee for flight performance marking. If your team is attempting an

L3 certification you will first be required to present your rocket to the relevant ACO for

inspection.

Inspection of your rocket will occur at the AURC Committee tent. Post flight inspection will

involve:

1. Downloading of your flight’s peak altitude:

a. For teams using an RRC3 this will be done through the use of a Missile Works

LCD display provided by the AURC Committee.


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b. For teams that are not using an RRC3 altimeter you will have to ensure that you

have the required software or capability available on the launch day to provide

the AURC with your peak altitude.

2. Physical inspection of your rocket for damage as per the recovery section of the AURC

Flight Performance Marking Criteria.

NOTE: The AURC Committee will not be releasing any flight performance marks breakdowns until

after the competition winners are announced on the Saturday evening.

4.6 Flight Crew To minimise the congestion, risk and the time associated with setting up and clearing the flight

range the AURC recommends that the minimum number of people necessary to set up your

rocket are present on the flight line.

If your team would like to have a group photo taken with your rocket prior to flight, teams

MUST advise the LCO prior to entering the range to obtain their approval.


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5 Suggested Equipment 5.1 Team equipment Whilst every team will have their own requirements on what specific equipment they will need

during the course of the competition, the AURC strongly suggests bringing the following items

(at a minimum) along to TDU:

Category Item

General Basic first aid equipment

Gazebo/(s)

Tables

Hard copies of any critical documentation (SOP, insurance, processes, final report, etc)

Rocket Equipment Masking Tape

Superglue

Basic hand-tools for in the field repairs

Spare batteries

Epoxy

AMRS Group Membership Holder

AMRS membership card

Explosives licence

OpenRocket printouts

6.1. Personal equipment The following equipment is strongly recommended to be taken to TDU by each team member

(at a minimum):

Category Item

General Camp Chair

Sunscreen

Sunglasses

Water bottles (multiple)

Cash (for purchases on site) *EFTPOS may not be available onsite


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Torch (plus spare batteries)

Snacks

Insect Repellent

Toiletries (including toilet paper)

Clothing Sunsafe shirt (long sleeve)

Sunsafe pants (long pants)

Broad brimmed hat


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6 Special thanks The AURC Committee would like to take the time to thank all of the members of AMRS, Thunda

Down Under organisers and sponsors who have put time, effort and money into helping the

AURC succeed. A very special thanks is required for Blake Nikolic who this event would not have

been possible without.

6.1 Gift for the farmer In addition, TDU and AURC would not be possible without the use of the land owned by a certain

farmer 🤠. We strongly encourage you to bring a small gift from your respective

university/state to be given to the farmer as a collective thank you contribution on behalf of all

of the inaugural AURC competitors.

https://emojipedia.org/face-with-cowboy-hat/

Documents

Australian Universities Rocket Competition 2018/2019 · TDU meal packages do not cover breakfast. As such, all teams will be required to bring As such, all teams will be required