ARLINGTON, Virginia USA -- Students across America can now compete in the 2007 Team America Rocketry Challenge. Registration for the world's largest rocket contest began Sept. 6. Applications for the fifth-annual challenge are now available online, and are due by Nov. 15.

Teams have until April 9, 2007, to qualify for the final round of competition scheduled for May 19 at Great Meadow in The Plains, Va. The winning teams share $60,000 in cash and savings bonds, and NASA and the Defense Department contribute additional prizes. Registration costs $90.

Particpant from last year's contest

The new challenge for the teams building the handmade rockets is to launch them to a height of 850 feet while staying airborne for 45 seconds. As in the past, the rocket must return a raw-egg payload safely. Points are added for each foot or second away from the target, with the lowest total score winning. Cracked eggs disqualify the team.

AIA sponsors the event along with the National Association of Rocketry. Co-sponsors are NASA, the Defense Department, American Association of Physics Teachers, and 39 AIA member companies.

TARC is open to teams of students in grades 7-12 from any U.S. school or non-profit youth organization. Last year an estimated 7,000 students from across the country participated, with first-place honors going to a team from Statesville (North Carolina) Christian School. Since the contest began in 2003 an estimated 37,000 students have taken part.

Founded in 1919, the Aerospace Industries Association represents the nation's leading manufacturers and suppliers of civil, military, and business aircraft, helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles, space systems, aircraft engines, material, and related components, equipment services, and information technology.

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Rocket Contest