2021 lasc rules & requirements document r00

Latin American Space Challenge

2021 LASC Online EditionRules & Requirements Document

The electronic version is the official, approved document.Verify this is the correct version before use.

2021 Latin American Space ChallengeRules & Requirements Document

Revision: 00Effective Date: 25/07/2021

TABLE OF CONTENTS

REVISION HISTORY 2INTRODUCTION 3BACKGROUND 3PURPOSE AND SCOPE 4TEAM COMPOSITION AND ELIGIBILITY 4

TEAM MEMBERS 4TEAM ORGANIZATION AND SUBMISSION LIMITATIONS 5

APPLICATION AND REGISTRATION PROCESSES 5ENTRY FORM 5ACADEMIC INSTITUTION PARTICIPATION LETTER 5

ROCKET CHALLENGE 6PAYLOAD 7

PAYLOAD MASS 7INDEPENDENT PAYLOAD FUNCTIONALITY 7PAYLOAD LOCATION AND INTERFACE RESTRICTED 8RESTRICTED PAYLOAD MATERIALS 8PAYLOAD FORM FACTOR 8

BOILERPLATE PAYLOAD 8SCIENTIFIC EXPERIMENT OR TECHNOLOGY DEMONSTRATION PAYLOAD 9

ROCKET LIMITATION 9RANGE TRACKING 9OFFICIAL ALTITUDE LOGGING 9

SATELLITE CHALLENGE 10DELIVERABLES 11

PROGRESS UPDATES 11CRITICAL DESIGN REVIEW VIDEO 12

ROCKET CHALLENGE CDR VIDEO 12SATELLITE CHALLENGE CDR VIDEO 12

PODIUM SESSION MATERIALS 12PROJECT TECHNICAL REPORT 14

SCORING AND AWARDS 14AWARDS 15

CHALLENGE OVERALL WINNER AWARD 15CATEGORY "PLACE" AWARDS 15TECHNICAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS 15

JOÃO B. G. CANALLE AWARD FOR TECHNICAL EXCELLENCE 16RICK MASCHEK ENGINEERING AWARD FOR INNOVATION 16

TEAM CONDUCT AWARD 16TEAM SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD 16TEAM SPIRIT AWARD 17

PENALTIES FOR UNSAFE OR UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT 17PENALTIES FOR VIOLATING PAYLOAD REQUIREMENTS 17DISQUALIFICATION FROM CONSIDERATION FOR ANY AWARD 17WITHDRAWAL FROM COMPETITION 17

INSURANCE 18APPENDIX A: ACRONYMS, ABBREVIATIONS, AND TERMS 19APPENDIX B: DETAILS FOR THE TECHNICAL REPORT 20APPENDIX C: DETAILING GRADING CRITERIA 24

Latin American Space Challenge | 1



REVISION HISTORY

REVISION DESCRIPTION DATE

00 Baseline of the 2021 LASC Rules & RequirementsDocument. 25/07/2021




1. INTRODUCTION

The Latin American Space Challenge (LASC) is a competition which will set the backgroundand provide structure for the Latin America's largest experimental rocket and satelliteengineering competition.

It is widely recognized that such competitions foster innovation and motivate students to extendthemselves beyond the classroom, while learning to work as a team, solving real worldproblems under the same pressures they will experience in their future careers

The LASC competition builds on the legacy of the joint ESRA – Experimental Sounding RocketAssociation and Spaceport America since their first annual IREC – Intercollegiate RocketEngineering Competition back in 2006, now known as the Spaceport America Cup. The LASCOrganization would like to take this moment and thank ESRA and the Spaceport America Cupfor their ground-breaking work in the making of the Spaceport America Cup competition.

2. BACKGROUND

The adrenaline of launching a rocket or testing a satellite encourages people to pursue science,technology, and mathematics based careers and for the progress of the science and technology oftheir countries. A space competition motivates them to extend themselves beyond the classroomto design and build rockets and satellites themselves. Students, enthusiasts, startups andamateurs enrolled in this challenge also could learn to work as a team, solving real worldproblems under the same pressures they'll experience in their future careers.

The Latin American Space Challenge (LASC) has a mission to motivate people from all latinamerican countries to develop and launch a rocket and develop a satellite as a payload. Thevision of the LASC is to provide motivation for latin american students and enthusiasts topursue their dreams.

3. PURPOSE AND SCOPE

This document defines the rules and requirements governing participation in the LASC, basedon the ruleset documentation of Spaceport America Cup. Major revisions of this document willbe accomplished by complete document reissue. Smaller revisions will be reflected in updates tothe document’s effective date and marked by the revision number.

Additional guidance for teams entered in the LASC is contained in the LASC Design, Test, &Evaluation Guide (DTEG). The DTEG provides teams with project development guidanceLASC Organization uses to promote flight safety. Departures from this guidance may negativelyimpact an offending team's score and flight status depending on the degree of severity. LASCteams should avoid feeling constrained before seeking clarification and may contact LASCOrganization with questions or concerns regarding their project plans’ alignment with the spiritand intent of this document.




Due to the COVID‑19 pandemic, the 2021 LASC Online will be an online event. Teams will bechallenged to develop, simulate and present their rocket and satellite projects submittingprogress reports, simulation results, project technical reports and videos describing their project.

4. TEAM COMPOSITION AND ELIGIBILITY

4.1. TEAM MEMBERS

A LASC Team may consist of one or a group of student members, non-studentsmembers (i.e. enthusiasts, researchers, startup teams, amateurs and hobbyists) or mixed.

LASC Teams consisted only by students members who were matriculated in highschool, undergraduate or graduate programs (i.e. Masters or Doctoral students) duringthe previous academic year (e.g. former students who graduated shortly before thecompetition remain eligible) from one or more academic institutions (e.g. "joint teams"are eligible) may receive bonus points in addition to their total score.

There is no limit on the overall number of people per team. Each individual is free toparticipate on multiple teams, so long as each team is led by a different individual.

4.2. TEAM ORGANIZATION AND SUBMISSION LIMITATIONS

Teams shall submit no more than three projects into the 2021 LASC Online. Eachproject shall be in a different category. Teams may participate in both challenges.

For example, Team ABC may register a project for the 1 km AGL apogee withhybrid/liquid propulsion system category, a project for the 3 km AGL apogee with solidrocket propulsion system category, and another cubesat-style satellite project.

Therefore, no team may be entered in the same category twice at the LASC. Although,as previously noted, teams are permitted to switch categories as necessary prior tosubmitting their final Project Technical Report.

The event organizers will track and evaluate each project separately, regardless ofcommon student membership or academic affiliation.

5. APPLICATION AND REGISTRATION PROCESSES

Each team shall inform the LASC Organization of their desire to compete in the 2021 LASCOnline by registering as a new team on the Latin American Space Challenge website.

Details on this selection process will be published on the event website once the applicationsopen. All teams will be contacted by e-mail about the outcome of the selection process.




5.1. ENTRY FORM

Each team shall inform LASC of their desire to compete in the 2021 LASC Online byregistering on the LASC website. Total completeness of the entry form is required.

Requests for entries made after the application deadline should be accompanied by ane-mail addressed directly to the LASC Organisation. Requests will be assessed and, ifaccepted, such entries will receive their Team ID shortly after receipt of the entry form,participation letter and student identification.

The Team ID is the competition officials' primary means of identifying and tracking theteams. Once assigned, any correspondence between a team and the organisers mustcontain the respective team's ID number to enable a timely and accurate response.

5.2. ACADEMIC INSTITUTION PARTICIPATION LETTER

Only Students Teams willing for Bonus Points are required to ask the academicinstitution(s), in which its members are enrolled, to provide a signed letter to LASC,acknowledging the team as the institution’s representative and its intention to participatein the event. The signatory shall be a senior faculty member or senior staffrepresentative (e.g., professor). Academic institutions sending more than one team tothe LASC need only to write one participation letter, covering all their teams, but eachincluded team must submit an individual copy of that letter. In the case of a joint team,composed of students from multiple academic institutions, each affiliated institutionmust provide its own signed letter to the team. On or before a specified date prior to theevent, teams shall submit digital, PDF copy(s) of their signed participation letter(s)through the LASC website.

5.3. TEAM REGISTRATION FEES

All accepted LASC Teams must purchase at least 1 Student Team Ticket which grantsyou 10 individual student tickets.

• Student Team Ticket: R$ 500,00

The Student Team Ticket is necessary for the LASC Organization to make downpayments on trophies, certificates, web domain, web hosting and additional servicesbefore the event.

• Individual Rocketeer/Sateliteer Ticket: R$ 35,00

Additional tickets can be purchased either individually or as additional team tickets (forlarger teams). Participants willing to receive a digital certificate of participation shallhave a ticket.


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6. ROCKET CHALLENGE

In general, teams competing in the 2021 LASC Online Rocket Challenge must design,simulate, and present a rocket project carrying no less than 0,25 kg (0.55 lb) of payload to atarget apogee of 0.5 km (1,640 ft) above ground level (AGL) or 0.8 kg (1.8 lb) of payload to atarget apogee of 1 km (3,300 ft) AGL or 4 kg (8.8 lb) of payload to a target apogee 3 km(10,000 ft) AGL.

Projects will be divided into one of the following five categories based on the type of projectattempted – defined by the target apogee and selected propulsion system. Teams are permitted toswitch categories as necessary prior to submitting their final Project Technical Report.

• Entry-level: 0.5 km AGL apogee with a solid rocket propulsion system;• 1 km AGL apogee with solid rocket propulsion system;• 1 km AGL apogee with hybrid or liquid rocket propulsion system;• 3 km AGL apogee with solid rocket propulsion system;• 3 km AGL apogee with hybrid or liquid rocket propulsion system.

Table 1: Flight categories: target apogee vs. minimum payload.

Target Apogee 0.5 km 1 km 3 km

PropulsionSystem

Solid 0,25 kg 0,8 kg 4 kg

Hybrid/Liquid 0,8 kg 4 kg

LASC reserves the right to change the category in which a project is initially entered based onthe design presented.

All chemical propulsion types (solid, liquid, and hybrid) are allowed. Note that all propellantsused must be non-toxic. Ammonium perchlorate composite propellant (APCP), potassiumnitrate and sugar (aka "rocket candy"), nitrous oxide, liquid oxygen (LOX), hydrogen peroxide,kerosene, propane and similar substances, are all considered non-toxic.

Toxic propellants are defined as those requiring breathing apparatus, special storage, transportinfrastructure, extensive personal protective equipment, etc. (e.g. Hydrazine and N2O4).

Note that multistage launch vehicles are not allowed. Propulsion systems containing PET-bottlesor water-based rockets are not allowed. Teams with propulsion systems based mainly ongunpowder, also known as black powder, will be penalized half points off their total earnedscore.

Competition Officials will evaluate competitors for Place Awards within each competitioncategory based on the quality of required project documentation, the quality of their system’soverall design and simulation, and finally the team’s overall excellence, efficiency andperformance demonstrated at the Project Technical Report.




For teams participating in the 2021 LASC Online submitting a rocket project and not registeredfor the 2021 LASC Online Satellite Challenge, the Section 6.1 must be followed by the team.Teams submitting a rocket project containing a satellite registered for the 2021 LASC OnlineSatellite Challenge may receive bonus points.

6.1. PAYLOAD

6.1.1. PAYLOAD MASS

The launch vehicle shall carry no less than 0.25 kg of payload for 0.5 km apogee or 0.8kg of payload for 1 km apogee or 4 kg of payload for 3 km apogee. Payload is definedas being replaceable with ballast of the same mass, with no change to the launch vehicletrajectory in reaching the target apogee, or its successful recovery.

This payload may be assumed present when calculating the launch vehicle's stability. Inother words, launch vehicles entered in the LASC need not be stable without therequired payload mass on-board.

6.1.2. INDEPENDENT PAYLOAD FUNCTIONALITY

Although non-functional "boiler-plate" payloads are permitted, teams are encouraged tolaunch creative scientific experiments and technology demonstrations; however, launchvehicles shall be designed to deliver the payload to the target apogee and recoverthemselves independent of any active or passive payload function(s).

For example, an active launch vehicle stability augmentation system is a launch vehiclesubsystem – not a payload. Such launch vehicle subsystems will contribute tocompetition officials’ overall evaluation of a project, and may be submitted to the 2021LASC Online Virtual Podium Session, but they are not payloads.

6.1.3. PAYLOAD LOCATION AND INTERFACE RESTRICTED

Neither the payload location in the launch vehicle nor its method of integration andremoval is specified; however, competition officials will verify simulated weight of thepayload(s) independent of all launch vehicle associated systems.

6.1.4. RESTRICTED PAYLOAD MATERIALS

Payloads shall not contain significant quantities of lead or any other hazardous materials(e.g. radioactive materials). Finally, payloads shall not contain any live animals.

6.1.5. PAYLOAD FORM FACTOR

The following sections concern the required shape and dimensions of payload(s)submitted for weigh-in. These requirements are different if the payload is a




non-functional “boilerplate” (i.e. mass emulator) or if it is a functional scientificexperiment/technology demonstration.

6.1.5.1. BOILERPLATE PAYLOAD

Any launch vehicle carrying strictly non-functional “boilerplate” mass as itspayload shall do so in the form of one or more PocketQubes, CanSats orCubeSats depending on apogee target. Each apogee target categories has itsminimum payload size:

• For 0.5 and 1 km AGL apogee categories: Each PocketQube shall be no lessthan 1P in size. One PocketQube Unit (1P) is defined as a 5cm×5cm×5cm cubicstructure. Similarly, three PocketQube Units (3P) constitute either a singlestructure or a stack measuring 5cm×5cm×15cm. CanSats are also permitted anddefined as a 66mm diameter and 115mm height.

• For 3 km AGL apogee categories: Each CubeSat shall be no less than 1U insize. One CubeSat Unit (1U) is defined as a 10cm×10cm×10cm cubic structure.Similarly, three CubeSat Units (3U) constitute either a single structure or astack measuring 10cm×10cm×30cm.

6.1.5.2. SCIENTIFIC EXPERIMENT OR TECHNOLOGYDEMONSTRATION PAYLOAD

Any functional scientific experiment or technology demonstration payload andits associated structure may be constructed in any form factor, provided theexperiment/technology and its associated structure remain in compliance withSections 6.1.1, 6.1.2, 6.1.3, and 6.1.4 of this document. With special regard tocompliance with Section 6.1.1, the required minimum payload mass should beachieved primarily by the experiment(s)/technology and associated supportstructure.

The payload design may incorporate a limited amount of additional“boilerplate” mass (limited at 1/4th the required minimum) to meet the requiredminimum. Competition officials may impose a point penalty on any teambelieved to be violating the spirit and intent of this rule.

Finally, despite this exemption, LASC highly encourages teams to adopt thePocketQube, CanSat or a CubeSat standard for their payload(s) wheneverpossible depending on its apogee target.

6.2. ROCKET LIMITATION

Launch vehicles entered the LASC Event shall not exceed an installed total impulse of 40,960Newton-seconds.




6.3. RANGE TRACKING

Launch vehicles, and any deployable payload(s), shall carry a radio beacon or similartransmitter aboard each independently recovered assembly to aid in locating them afterlaunch.

Tracking systems using the Global Positioning System (GPS) or equivalent global navigationsatellite systems (GNSS) and an automatic packet reporting system (APRS) are stronglypreferred, but not mandatory.

6.4. OFFICIAL ALTITUDE LOGGING

Launch vehicles shall carry a COTS barometric pressure altimeter with on-board data storage,which will provide an official log of apogee for scoring. This may either be a standaloneCOTS product or a feature of a COTS flight computer - also used for launch vehicle recoverysystem deployment. If a deployable payload is integrated on the launch vehicle, the officialaltitude logging system shall be mounted to the launch vehicle and not the payload.

While the on-board log is considered the primary data source for official altitude reporting,telemetry – if implemented – may be accepted under certain circumstances defined in thisdocument. If implemented, this telemetric data shall originate from the same sensor source asthe official on-board data log.

7. SATELLITE CHALLENGE

In general, teams competing in the 2021 LASC Online Satellite Challenge must design a spacemission and present a satellite project. LASC will accept registrations for the Satellite Challengeof teams competing only with a satellite project. A rocket project will not be mandatory forthis challenge.

Projects will be divided into one of the following three categories based on the type of projectattempted. Teams are permitted to switch categories as necessary prior to submitting their finalProject Technical Report.

• PocketQube-style satellite project;• CanSat-style satellite project;• CubeSat-style satellite project.

Each PocketQube project shall be no less than 1P in size. One PocketQube Unit (1P) is definedas a 5cm×5cm×5cm cubic structure. Similarly, three PocketQube Units (3P) constitute either asingle structure or a stack measuring 5cm×5cm×15cm.

Each CanSat project shall be defined as a 66mm diameter and 115mm height.




Each CubeSat project shall be no less than 1U in size. One CubeSat Unit (1U) is defined as a10cm×10cm×10cm cubic structure. Similarly, three CubeSat Units (3U) constitute either asingle structure or a stack measuring 10cm×10cm×30cm.

Teams may use Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) educational satellites for the 2021 LASCSatellite Challenge. For the 2021 LASC Online, only educational satellites from the PION LabsEngenharia Ltda. are approved as a COTS. More information on COTS educational satellitesmay be accessed on <www.pionlabs.com.br>.

Competition Officials will evaluate competitors for Place Awards within each competitioncategory based on the quality of required project documentation, a Virtual Poster Session, thequality of their system’s overall design and simulation, and finally the team’s overall excellence,efficiency and performance demonstrated at the Virtual Project Session.

Furthermore, Competition Officials will select no less than five teams to present a particularaspect of their work in a Virtual Podium Session held during the 2021 LASC Online. Theseteams are eligible to receive certain Technical Achievement Awards.

8. DELIVERABLES

The following sections define the deliverable materials (e.g., paperwork and presentationmaterials) competition officials require from teams competing in LASC – including eachdeliverable's format and minimum expected content. All deliverables will be submitted to LASCper the instructions provided to the teams.

Only correct, complete, and timely submission of deliverables will guarantee that the maximumpoints possible are achieved in the overall team score. The scheduled due dates of all requireddeliverables will be recorded on the LASC website.

8.1. PROGRESS UPDATES

Teams shall submit updated versions of a specific form, the Progress Update, on occasionsprior to the competition. The Progress Update link will be available on the LASC website.

This form will record changes in the project's technical characteristics during development.Competition officials understand not all technical details will be known until later in thedesign process. Therefore, all Progress Updates prior to the final submission will be evaluatedbased only on their timeliness and completeness – defined as follows.

Total completeness of the Progress Update form is required at all times. Reasonableengineering estimates and approximations are expected during the application process, butwill be subject to progressive additional scrutiny in the subsequent Progress Updates.

Teams should briefly mention their ongoing discussions and analysis in the comment fieldsfor any numerical submissions that are known to be unreasonable or remain undecided.




Teams may also respond to undecided criteria by demonstrating their understanding of anyapplicable event guidance or best practice governing the particular detail.

In general, LASC expects technical information to change, but information must always beprovided. Only teams whose application meets this standard will be evaluated for entry intothe competition. Accepted teams will be announced by the release of a Team ID list after theend of the application deadline.

Between the time when a majority of Entry Forms are received and the due date of the firstprogress update, LASC will issue every team a numeric Team ID. Entries made later in theacademic year should be accompanied by an email addressed directly to LASC:[email protected], alerting the organizers to check for the late entry. Such entries will receivetheir Team ID shortly after receipt of the entry form.

The Team ID is the competition officials’ primary means of identifying and tracking all themany teams. Once assigned, any correspondence between a team and the organizers mustcontain that team's ID number to enable a timely and accurate response.

8.2. CRITICAL DESIGN REVIEW VIDEO

Each team shall submit a Critical Design Review Video explaining the rocket or/and satelliteproject: mission, general concept of operations, systems, projected cost, schedule constraintsand the basis for proceeding with detailed design.

The Critical Design Review Video shall be no longer than five minutes of total duration. Thevideo shall be submitted via link that will be available on the LASC Website.

8.2.1. ROCKET CHALLENGE CDR VIDEO

• Mission, performance: flight profile simulations, altitude predictions with simulatedvehicle data, component weights, simulated motor thrust curve, stability margin,simulated center of pressure and simulated center of gravity;• Selection, design, and simulation of the Propulsion Subsystem;• Recovery subsystem and Avionics subsystem.• Airframe and Structures subsystem;

8.2.2. SATELLITE CHALLENGE CDR VIDEO

• Selection and design of the Space Mission;• Satellite concept features and systems: power system, command and data handling,communication system, antenna system, payloads.• Describe the budget, timeline and its status.

On or before a specified date prior to the event, teams shall submit the YouTube link of thevideo using the appropriate location indicated on LASC website. The video shall be uploaded




on YouTube with a title as “Team Your Team ID Critical Design Review to the 2021 LatinAmerican Space Challenge".

For example, a team assigned the Team ID "19", competing in the 2021 LASC, would subtitletheir YoutUbe Video as "Team 19 Critical Design Review to the 2021 Latin American SpaceChallenge".

8.3. PODIUM SESSION MATERIALS

Each team shall submit an Extended Abstract on a particular aspect of their work forcompetition officials and the judging panel to consider including in a Virtual Podium Sessionheld during the 2021 LASC Online.

Teams whose topics are accepted into the Podium Session will be considered eligible forTechnical Achievement Awards defined in a specific section of this document.

The Extended Abstract shall be formatted according to the style guide of the AmericanInstitute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), using a provided Microsoft® Worddocument template.

The Latin American Space Challenge Extended Abstract template is available for downloadon the LASC website. Always check the template maintained on the website before draftingyour Extended Abstract to ensure you are using the latest version.

The Extended Abstract's main title is left to the team's discretion, however; the documentshall be subtitled "Team Your Team ID Technical Presentation to the Year Latin AmericanSpace Challenge". For example, a team assigned the Team ID "19", competing in the 2021LASC, would subtitle their Extended Abstract "Team 19 Technical Presentation to the 2021Latin American Space Challenge".

The Extended Abstract shall be no less than 500 words long and shall not exceed two pages,not including footnotes, sources, or source endnotes. The Extended abstract should notcontain any tables, figures, nomenclature lists, equations, appendices etc. The submissionmust include sufficient detail to demonstrate its purpose, the technical foundation for thetopic discussed, and any preliminary results to date.

The topic a team selects for their Virtual Podium Session submission should be an aspect oftheir project which they are particularly proud of, excited about, learned the most in theprocess of, creates new knowledge, advances the field's understanding of a particular area,presented a unique technical challenge they overcame, and/or otherwise best demonstrates theteam's technical excellence and/or innovation in a particular aspect of their work.

On or before a specified date prior to the event, teams shall submit a digital, PDF copy oftheir Extended Abstract using an appropriate link on LASC website, with the file name "Your




Team ID_Extended Abstract". For example, a team assigned the Team ID "19" would submita digital copy of their Extended Abstract using the filename "19_Extended Abstract".

The event organizers will post these files in an online archive of the conference dayproceedings. At the same time they submit their Extended Abstract, teams shall also submit adigital, PDF copy of any slides they wish to use in their presentation, with the file name"Your Team ID_Presentation_Slides".

For example, a team assigned the Team ID "19" would submit a digital copy of their slidedeck using the filename "19_Presentation Slides". The event organizers will post these files inan online archive of the conference proceedings.

No more than 10 teams will be accepted into the Podium Session. Each presentation will beallotted 15 minutes, with an additional 5 minutes reserved for Q&A with judges and otheraudience members.

8.4. PROJECT TECHNICAL REPORT

Each team shall submit a Project Technical Report which overviews their project for thejudging panel and other competition officials. The Project Technical Report shall beformatted according to the style guide of the American Institute of Aeronautics andAstronautics (AIAA), using a provided Microsoft® Word document template or LaTeXtemplate.

The Latin American Space Challenge Project Technical Report template is available fordownload on the LASC website. Always check the template maintained on the website beforedrafting your Project Technical Report to ensure you are using the latest version.

On or before a specified date prior to the event, teams shall submit a digital, PDF copy oftheir Project Technical Report, with the file name "Your Team ID_Project Report". Forexample, a team assigned the Team ID "19" would submit a digital copy of their ProjectReport using the filename "19_Project Report".

The Project Technical Report's main title is left to the team's discretion, however; the papershall be subtitled “Team Your Team ID Project Technical Report to the Year Latin AmericanSpace Challenge". For example, a team assigned the Team ID "19", competing in the 2021LASC, would subtitle their Project Technical Report "Team 19 Project Technical Report tothe 2021 Latin American Space Challenge".

The Project Technical Report shall be no longer than 30 pages, including figures, footnotes,sources, source endnotes, nomenclature lists, equations, explanations of variables etc. Thisdoes not include the Appendices. However, appendices can have additional pages but are notnecessarily read in detail by the officials.




Further information is given in Appendix B: Details for the Technical Report, including anoverview of the required minimum Technical Report sections and appendices. Additionalsections, subsections, and appendices may be added as needed.

9. SCORING AND AWARDS

Teams will be scored in four different scoring categories or areas, which are (1) Team Effort, (2)the Technical Report, (3) the Design Implementation, and (4) the Podium Session. These areweighted according to the table below.

Table 2: Weight of the Scoring Categories.

Scoring Categories Possible Points % of Total Points

Team Effort 200 20%

Project Technical Report 350 35%

Design Implementation 300 30%

Podium Session 150 15%

TOTAL 1000 100%

In each scoring category, a set of grading criteria is established. These criteria will be evaluatedby the jury for each team individually. Each grading criterion has several, more detailed, topicsthat establish what the jury will look for during the grading process. These detailed topics areweighed equally within each criterion, while the main criteria are weighted differently withineach competition category. The details of the grading criteria can be found in Appendix C:Detailed Grading Criteria.

Bonus Points may be awarded for Student Teams and/or LASC Teams participating in bothLASC Challenges limited up to 50 points.

9.1. AWARDS

The 2021 LASC Online will award teams on the First Place and Second Place of eachCategory for both challenges, the two Technical Achievement Awards, the Team Awards, andthe Overall Winner for the 2021 LASC Online Rocket Challenge and Overall Winner for the2021 LASC Online Satellite Challenge. There will be a total of 23 awards.

9.1.1. CHALLENGE OVERALL WINNER AWARD

One team among the First Place Award winners in each challenge defined in thisdocument will be named the overall winner. The recipient of this prestigious award isdetermined by qualitative assessments of the competition officials made throughout theentire event.




9.1.2. CATEGORY "PLACE" AWARDS

A First Place Award will be granted to the highest scoring, eligible team in each of theChallenges and Categories defined in this document. A Second Place Award will begranted to the second highest scoring, eligible team in each category.

A team is considered eligible for the place award(s) in its category after participating inthe 2021 LASC Online submitting all documents, reports and activities. In the event noteams meet this definition in a given category, competition officials may issue CategoryPlace Awards at their discretion based on multiple factors – including points accrued,participation and engagement, and overall performance.

9.1.3. TECHNICAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

LASC presents two awards recognizing technical achievement to deserving teamscompeting in the 2021 LASC Online. One of these is awarded based on thecompetition officials’ qualitative assessments made during the Virtual Podium Session.The final award is awarded to any LASC team based on their performance in the overallevent.

9.1.3.1. JOÃO B. G. CANALLE AWARD FOR TECHNICAL EXCELLENCE

The João B. G. Canalle Award for Technical Excellence recognizes a team whichdemonstrates exceptional overall engineering discipline and technical skill throughtheir analyses and conclusions, project or program planning and execution,operational procedure, manufacturing processes, iterative improvement, systemsengineering methodology, robust design, etc.

A team is considered eligible for the João B. G. Canalle Award for TechnicalExcellence if they are accepted into – and participate in – the Virtual PodiumSession held during the conference day at the Latin American Space Challenge.

9.1.3.2. RICK MASCHEK ENGINEERING AWARD FOR INNOVATION

The Rick Maschek Engineering Award for Innovation recognizes a team whoseproject includes one or more features (including analytic or operational processesas well as components or assemblies) the judging panel finds genuinely "novel","inventive", or solving a unique problem identified by the team.

A team is considered eligible for the Rick Maschek Engineering Award forInnovation if they are accepted into – and participate in – the Podium Session heldduring the conference day at the Latin American Space Challenge. In 2021, theRick Maschek Engineering Award for Innovation will be awarded also based oncompetition officials’ qualitative assessments.




9.1.4. TEAM CONDUCT AWARD

LASC presents one award recognizing a team competing in the LASC whose conductthroughout the Latin American Space Challenge is exemplary of goals and ideals heldby the event organizers. The Latin American Space Challenge should be an eventwhere academia, industry, and the public may come together to preserve, popularize,and advance space science in a collaborative environment energized by friendlycompetition. The Team Conduct Award will be awarded to a single team chosen by theLASC Organization.

9.1.5. TEAM SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD

The Team Sportsmanship Award recognizes a team which goes above and beyond toassist their fellow teams and the event organizers assure the Latin American SpaceChallenge is a productive, safe, and enjoyable experience for all involved. They may dothis in many ways, such as making themselves available to lend-a-hand whenever andhowever they can (whether they are asked to or not), being positive role models for theirfellow teams, and generally being a "force for good" in every activity in which theyinvolve themselves. The Team Sportsmanship Award will be awarded to a single teamchosen by the LASC Organization.

9.1.6. TEAM SPIRIT AWARD

The Team Spirit Award recognizes a team that has displayed an outstanding effort asworking as a unit towards a common goal, by being exceptionally organized, reliable,and prepared in all aspects of the competition, be it deliverables, communication, oroperation, and goes above and beyond to display a great sense of team spirit andsportsmanship.The Team Spirit Award will be awarded to a single team chosen by theLASC Organization.

9.2. PENALTIES FOR UNSAFE OR UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT

Teams will be penalized 100 points off their total earned score for every instance of unsafe orunsportsmanlike conduct recorded by competition officials. Unsportsmanlike conductincludes, but is not limited to, hostility shown towards any Latin American Space ChallengeParticipant, intentional misrepresentation of facts to any competition official, intentionalfailure to comply with any reasonable instruction given by a competition official.

9.3. PENALTIES FOR VIOLATING PAYLOAD REQUIREMENTS

Teams will be penalized 100 points off their total earned score for each of the five payloadrequirements described in this document in spirit or intent. These include Mass, IndependentFunction, Location & Interface, Restricted Materials, and Form Factor. With regard to mass,




due to the allowance made for differences in measuring devices, teams will not be permittedto modify their payloads with additional mass to avoid penalty at the event.

9.4. DISQUALIFICATION FROM CONSIDERATION FOR ANY AWARD

A limited number of criteria constitute grounds for disqualification from consideration forany award. These can include a failure to meet the defining LASC mission requirements ofthis document, failure to submit a Project Technical Report or final progress update at anytime prior to the Latin American Space Challenge (or otherwise failing to provide adequateproject details in required deliverables), and failure to send eligible team memberrepresentatives to the Latin American Space Challenge.

Finally, any Team or Individual found to have accrued safety or unsportsmanlike conductinfractions at any time during the Latin American Space Challenge will be disqualified orremoved and barred from participation in the remainder of the Latin American SpaceChallenge.

9.5. WITHDRAWAL FROM COMPETITION

Teams that decide to formally withdraw from the LASC at any time prior to the event mustsend an e-mail entitled "TEAM Your Team ID FORMALLY WITHDRAWS FROM THECompetition Year LASC" to [email protected].

For example, a team assigned the Team ID "19" would withdraw from the 2021 LASC bysending an e-mail entitled "TEAM 19 FORMALLY WITHDRAWS FROM THE 2021LASC" to [email protected].

10. INSURANCE

The organization of the event will NOT be responsible or pay for any accidents, damagedproperty, and injuries related to the event and caused by enrolled teams; including if a team’sactivity damages a person or property. Also, if the person or property owner decides to sue theteam, the event’s policy does NOT protect the team from the additional lawsuit.




APPENDIX A: ACRONYMS, ABBREVIATIONS, AND TERMS

ACRONYMS & ABBREVIATIONS

AGL Above Ground Level

AIAA American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics

APCP Ammonium Perchlorate Composite Propellant

APRS Automatic Packet Reporting System

CONOPS Concept of Operations

GPS Global Positioning System

LOX Liquid Oxygen

STEM Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics

TERMS

Amateur Rocket

14 CFR, Part 1, 1.1 defines an amateur rocket as an unmanned rocketthat is "propelled by a motor, or motors having a combined totalimpulse of 889,600 Newton-seconds (200,000 pound-seconds) or less,and cannot reach an altitude greater than 150 kilometers (93.2 statutemiles) above the earth's surface".

Excessive Damage

Excessive damage is defined as any damage to the point that, if thesystems intended consumables were replenished, it could not belaunched again safely. Intended Consumables refers to those itemswhich are - within reason - expected to be serviced/replaced followinga nominal mission (e.g. propellants, pressurizing gasses, energeticdevices), and may be extended to include replacement of damaged finsspecifically designed for easy, rapid replacement.

Non-toxicPropellants

For the purposes of the LASC, the event organizers considerammonium perchlorate composite propellant (APCP), potassiumnitrate and sugar (aka "rocket candy"), nitrous oxide, liquid oxygen(LOX), hydrogen peroxide, kerosene, propane and similar, as non-toxicpropellants. Toxic propellants are defined as requiring breathingapparatus, special storage and transport infrastructure, extensivepersonal protective equipment, etc.




APPENDIX B: DETAILS FOR THE TECHNICAL REPORT

B.1. ABSTRACT

The Project Technical Report shall contain an Abstract. At a minimum, the abstract shallidentify the launch vehicle mission/category in which the team is competing, identify anyunique/defining design characteristics of launch vehicle, define the payload mission (ifapplicable), and provide whatever additional information may be necessary to convey any otherhigh-level project or program goals & objectives

B.2. INTRODUCTION

The Project Technical Report shall contain an Introduction. This section provides an overviewof the academic program, stakeholders, team structure, and team management strategies. Theintroduction may repeat some of the content included in the abstract, because the abstract isintended to act as a standalone synopsis if necessary.

B.3. SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE OVERVIEW

The Project Technical Report shall contain a System Architecture overview. This section shallbegin with a top-level overview of the integrated system, including a cutaway figure depictingthe fully integrated launch vehicle and its major subsystems – configured for the mission beingflown in the competition. This description shall be followed by the following subsections.

Each subsection shall include detailed descriptions of each subsystem, and reflect the technicalanalyses used to support design and manufacturing decisions. Technical drawings of thesesubsystems should be included in the specified appendix.

B.4. MISSION CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS OVERVIEW

The Project Technical Report shall contain a Mission Concept of Operations (CONOPS)Overview. This section shall identify the mission phases, including a figure, and describe thenominal operation of all subsystems during each phase (e.g. a description of what is supposed tobe occurring in each phase, and what subsystem[s] are responsible for accomplishing this).

No matter how a team defines mission phases and phase transitions, they will be used to helporganize failure modes identified in a Risk Assessment Appendix – described in this document.

B.5. CONCLUSIONS AND LESSONS LEARNED

The Project Technical Report shall contain Conclusions and Lessons Learned. This section shallinclude the lessons learned during the design, manufacture, and testing of the project, both froma team management and technical development perspective.




Furthermore, this section should include strategies for corporate knowledge transfer from seniorteam members to the rising underclassmen who will soon take their place.

B.6. WEIGHTS, MEASURES, AND PERFORMANCE DATA APPENDIX

The first Project Technical Report appendix shall contain Weights, Measures, and PerformanceData. This requirement will be satisfied by appending the Final Progress Report as the firstappendix of the Project Technical Report.

B.7. HAZARD ANALYSIS APPENDIX

The second Technical Report appendix shall contain a Hazard Analysis Report. This appendixshall address as applicable, hazardous material handling, transportation, storage procedures, andany other aspects of the design which pose potential hazards to operating personnel. Amitigation approach – by process and/or design – shall be defined for each hazard identified.

B.8. RISK ASSESSMENT APPENDIX

The third Technical Report appendix shall contain a Risk Assessment. This appendix shallsummarize risk and reliability concepts associated with the project.

All identified failure modes which pose a risk to mission success shall be recorded in a matrix,organized according to the mission phases identified by the CONOPS. A mitigation approach –by process and/or design – shall be defined for each risk identified.

A common description of the Risk Assessment is FMECA (Failure Mode and Effect CriticalityAnalysis). A risk assessment/FMECA is often represented as a spreadsheet matrix. The input tothe matrix is listed as follows:

• A description of the identified failure mode.• The likelihood of the failure mode occurring.• The severity and impact of the failure mode occurring

The likelihood of a failure mode occurrence and the severity of the occurrence is assignedvalues according to the following tables:

Table B.1: Likelihood of Failure.

Failure Probability Value Assessment of Risk

Remote 1 This is unlikely to happen.

Occasional 2 This might happen.

Probable or likely 3 This is likely to happen.




Table B.2: Severity of Occurrence.

Mishap Severity Value Effect of Failure Mode

Minor or negligible 1 Minor impact on mission.

Critical 2 Deterioration of performance and mission.

Catastrophic 3 Safety hazard and/or likely loss of mission

The "Criticality Ranking" is the product of the Failure Probability and the Mishap Severity. Thecriticality rating is a measure of how urgent and how severe mitigation actions will have to betaken, to reduce the Criticality Ranking.

Table B.3: Criticality Ranking.

Mishap Severity Value Effect of Failure Mode

1 Minor This failure mode is not a concern.

2 Minor This failure mode is of very minor concern.

3 Medium Justification needed. Jury may decide to review.

4 High Technical jury approval needed before launch / injection.

6 Critical Action required to reduce ranking before launch / injection.

9 Critical Action required to reduce ranking before launch / injection.

The output of the matrix is highlighting and ranking failure mode liabilities to the mission, andthe justifications and mitigations to reduce the Criticality Ranking. A typical FMECA scale forthe complexity of projects attending LASC should feature no less than 10 identified, ranked,commented, and justified failure modes – these should address at the minimum all importantand critical failure modes. An illustrating excerpt is given below:

Table B.4: Risk Matrix.

FailureMode

MissionPhase

FailureProbability

MishapSeverity

CriticallyRanking Team’s Comments

Ignitionfailure

Ignitionphase 1 1 1

COTS solid motor with COTSigniter is highly reliable andconsequences of a misfire arevery minor.

AntennaDeployment

failure

Deploymentphase 2 3 6

Antenna deployment of Pico &Nano satellites are mandatory forcommunication to the groundstation. A redundant system isrequired.




B.9. ENGINEERING DRAWINGS APPENDIX

The final Project Technical Report appendix shall contain Engineering Drawings. This appendixshall include any revision controlled technical drawings necessary to define significantsubsystems or components.

B.10. OPTIONAL APPENDICES

Other optional appendices can include, but are not limited to further Subsystem Details, LaunchSupport Equipment Details, Detailed Structural and Mechanical Calculation, Detailed LogicalProcess Diagrams, Detailed Software Architecture, and Detailed Electrical Architecture.




APPENDIX C: DETAILING GRADING CRITERIA

The grading will be conducted by the jury based on the individual grading criterion in therespective competition categories and scored according to a scheme of 1 to 4. This is meant tobe an intuitive and transparent scheme for the jury to follow and the teams to understand.

For countable criteria, "2" is the standard grade and can be understood in a sense that a criterionis fulfilled by the team in general conformity, but no complete conformity is reached(corresponding to "3") or a outstanding conformity (corresponding to "4"), nor complete lack ofconformity (corresponding to "1").

An example of a countable criteria would be the amount of errors in scientific terms or formulasin the technical report and the engineering details developed.

For relative criteria,"2" is the standard grade and can be understood in a sense that a criterion isfulfilled by the team in an average satisfactory manner, but neither sticks out to be particularlywell done (corresponding to "3") or to be of exceptional quality (corresponding to "4"), nor doesit stick out to be poorly done or of below average quality (corresponding to "1").

An example of a relative criteria would be the quality in description of system architecture andmission concept of operations in the technical report.

An exception is the absolute criteria, meaning things that can be either done or not done, thescoring scheme simplifies fulfilment or non-fulfilment corresponding to either 0% or 100% ofthe points. An example of an absolute criteria would be the submission of deliverables (they areeither delivered or not).

Teams will get feedback on their scoring after the award ceremony, but no more than 90 daysafter the closing ceremony. A summary and overview of the grading scheme is given below forclarity.

Table C.0: Grading Scheme.

Count For CountableCriteria Count For Relative

Criteria Count For AbsoluteCriteria

4 OutstandingConformity 4 Outstanding

Quality 1 Yes

3 GeneralConformity 3 High Quality 0 No

2 Lack ofConformity 2 No Greater than

Average

1 Absence ofConformity 1 Poor Quality




C.1. TEAM EFFORT

Table C.1: Team Effort Grading Criteria.

Criterion Possible Points Details

Deliverables(correct,complete,

timely)

120

Entry Form

Progress Update

CDR Video

Student Team Ticket


Organization,Operation,

Communication80

Clear, open, honest, reliable, timely, and efficientcommunication in written and spoken word prior andduring the event.

Organization and Reliability of the Team, e.g., team ispresent in time at the start of the event, team is reliableand in time for scheduled briefings and meetings, clearresponsibilities and roles within the team, clear pointsof contact towards the event officials.

High quality, clarity, and competency of CDR Videopresentation of the team towards the jury and thepublic.

C.2. PROJECT TECHNICAL REPORT

Table C.2: Project Technical Report Grading Criteria.


Correctness 100

Grammar, spelling, typing errors ("typos"),punctuation, sentence structure.

Correct use of scientific terms, units, dimensions,consistency, and usefulness of significant digits.

Technical clarity and disambiguation, correctness ofscientific statements regarding general scientificknowledge.

Coherent stylistic appearance in terms of font, font size,style elements, colours, paragraphs, headlines,sufficient resolution of figures, presence of figure axislabels, clear and readable graphs/tables, etc.





Completeness 100 Contains all required contents according to therequirements in a complete but concise fashion.


Analysis 150

Explanation of key-design decisions, includingtradespace analysis description (e.g., why was oneoption chosen over the other), constraints, and decisionrationale.

Clarity, understandability, and thoughtfulness indescription of system architecture and mission conceptof operations

Discussion of key verification & validation testsperformed on final design and possible previousdesigns, demonstrate complete and valid conclusionsdrawn from the results.

Appropriate use of tables, figures, and appendices toclearly organize and communicate information to thereader.

Quality, thoughtfulness, usefulness, and practicabilityof risk assessments, hazard analysis, checklists,technical drawings

C.3. DESIGN IMPLEMENTATION

Table C.3: Design Implementation Grading Criteria.


Competency ofDesign 120

All features of the project reflect strong competency inthe physical principles governing the design.

Design quality enables operation as intended withoutrisk of premature failure due to fatigue or reasonablyexpected loading.

Robustness of design characteristics, decreasing thedesign's sensitivity to reasonably expected variations in"real-world" operations.

Overall system engineering maintained throughoutdevelopment (e.g., not having any features which areboth critical systems, and yet clearly implemented as"afterthoughts" to the intended system).





Strategic DesignDecisions 100

Demonstration of a clear, achievable strategic vision forhow challenges were selected to advance strategicgoals, mirrored by the project’s design implementation.

Degree of strategic consideration given to the designand inclusion of COTS and SRAD in the project, alsoin keeping in line with the teams' articulated strategicvision.


DesignChallenges 80

Selection and implementation of a challenging andnovel design feature in one or more particular aspects,either to enhance the team’s understanding of thatsubject, or to develop technology necessary forachieving a longer term performance goal (e.g., activecontrol, guidance).

Selection and implementation of a novel or challengingpropulsion and/or staging system, and development ofthe technology necessary for achieving a successfulimplementation.

C.4. PODIUM SESSION

Table C.4: Team Effort Grading Criteria.


TechnicalExcellence and

Innovation150

Selection and implementation of an aspect of theirproject which they are particularly proud of, excitedabout, learned the most in the process of, creates newknowledge, advances the field's understanding of aparticular area, presented a unique technical challengethey overcame, and/or otherwise best demonstrates theteam's technical excellence and/or innovation in aparticular aspect of their work.

Technical clarity and disambiguation, correctness ofscientific statements regarding general scientificknowledge.


2021 lasc rules & requirements document r00

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