Moonbuggy - The great Moonbuggy Race

Moonbuggy Home
The Competition
The Rules
The Course
Registration
Food, Shelter and Travel
Competitors
Press Info

Files in PDF Format
require Adobe Reader

The Course

Course Description and Procedure

Moonbuggy TeamThe Great Moonbuggy Race course winds around rockets and other space vehicles including a Saturn Moon Rocket, an engineering test unit of the Space Shuttle with its external fuel tank and solid rocket boosters and a model of the LEM (Lunar Excursion Module). The total length of the course is about 7/10 of one mile and is strewn with miscellaneous lunar-like obstacles distributed randomly over the course. One of the interesting terrains on the course is a lunar crater area in which the life-size replica of the LEM is located.

The course map and description present the general course outline.

Moonbuggy Course Procedure

  1. The competition begins when the vehicle is tested for the 4'x4'x4' volume constraint. Then the two passengers carry their moonbuggy in the collapsed (i.e., un-assembled) condition a distance of 20 feet and set it at the starting line. (The passengers are the only two individuals who may be involved in the carry and assembly procedures.) Carry time is not included as a part of the assembly time.
  2. After the volume test, a signal will be given to the two passengers to assemble their vehicle and the clock is started. The clock is stopped when the vehicle is fully assembled, the riders are in their seats with their belts fastened and feet are on pedals as if ready to race. No more work will be allowed on the buggy before the first run.
  3. After the buggy is assembled, the vehicle is inspected for safety and the 15" clearance test for passengers is conducted. The 4' width requirement for buggies will also be checked after assembly. (A safety test will also be conducted before the second run.) A pre-race review will be conducted at the start of each run to determine that all seven required items (fenders, flag, simulated: 1st battery, 2nd battery, high gain antenna, radio and display console, tv camera) are attached to the vehicle.
  4. All pre-race assembly and testing will be conducted only in the morning, and before the first run of the course. No opportunity for testing and pre-race assembly will be available before the second run, and the pre-race assembly and testing will be conducted only one time.
  5. The two moonbuggy passengers ready themselves by determining they are wearing the appropriate protection gear, take their place in the vehicle and buckle-up their seat restraints. Pants legs and shoe strings should be taped down.
  6. The passengers will receive a signal to start the race, at which time the clock for that team is re-started. The team has to traverse the entire course. The event clock stops when the vehicle containing the two crewmembers crosses the finish line.
  7. A team will receive a time penalty if the team is not able to traverse the obstacle in question. All obstacles must be attempted. A "missed" obstacle will result in disqualification for the run.
  8. Each time either crewmember driver touches the ground, or other course items such ropes or railings, a time penalty will be added to the total clock time for the event.
  9. Individuals may NOT follow the moonbuggy during a run. We suggest teams post their other members at locations along the course route. Course judges will have the authority to disqualify any team that follows its moonbuggy during a run.
  10. Judges have authority to remove a disabled vehicle from the course when they feel it will affect the course time of the next successive buggy. The course run for the disabled buggy will end at this point. Failure to yield to the judge's request will result in disqualification of the buggy for the race.
  11. A final conditions test will be conducted at the end of each run to determine that all seven required items (fenders, national or school flag, simulated: 1st battery, 2nd battery, high gain antenna, radio and display console, tv camera) are still attached to the vehicle.
  12. Two runs of the course are permitted. The drivers for the first run must be those individuals who carry and assemble the buggy before the first run. Substitutes from the six member moonbuggy team may be made for either or both drivers for the second run of the course.

NASA LogoTHIS IS AN OFFICIAL NASA WEB PAGE
NASA Owner: Frank Six
Point of Contact: Sabrina Pearson