Moonbuggy - The great Moonbuggy Race

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

The Rules

Moonbuggy Rules and Penalties

Construction Requirements Race competitors
  1. Moonbuggy Teams- each moonbuggy must be the work of a student team of a high school or an accredited institution of higher learning. A group of high schools may also work in collaboration toward building a moonbuggy entry.
  2. Propulsion System- human powered (one or both passengers); energy storage devices- such as springs, flywheels or others- are not allowed.
  3. Un-Assembled Dimensions- Prior to course testing, assembly judging is conducted the morning of the race, prior to the first run. The un-assembled vehicle must fit (or be collapsible) to fit in a volume of maximum dimension 4'x 4'x 4'. A container of this dimension will be placed over the collapsed or un-assembled moonbuggy for verification.
  4. Weight- the vehicle must be lifted and carried 20 feet by the two passengers, without aid of any sort (e.g., no wheels) in the unassembled 4'x 4'x 4' volume.
  5. Assembled Dimensions- the maximum width of the assembled vehicle is four (4) feet, including wheels. There are no constraints for height and length of the assembled vehicle.
  6. Other than the stated configuration requirements, no constraints are imposed regarding materials and design.
  7. Vehicles, or parts of vehicles not constructed by the entering team are not acceptable. Vehicles that have been previously entered should contain major modifications that attempt to improve on design and performance. Students are expected to build their own buggies, and the course drivers, chosen from each team, must also be builders of the vehicle.
  8. No constraints are imposed in the means of contact between the buggy and the simulated lunar surface. We encourage creativity and participants are open to using wheels, belts, treads, etc.
  9. No body part of either passenger may be closer than 15" to the flat surface on which the vehicle is supported.
  10. The vehicle must have a turning radius of 15 feet or less.
  11. For safety reasons, it is recommended that the center of gravity of the "vehicle plus passengers" be low enough to safely handle slopes of 30 degrees forward and sideways. Any moonbuggy exhibiting handling characteristics or other vehicle dynamics that are deemed unsafe or unstable by the judges will be disqualified from the competition. This determination will be made by inspection of the assembled moonbuggies prior to course testing.
  12. Each vehicle must have seat restraints for each of the two passengers. The restraints must be worn during runs of the course.
  13. All sharp edges and protrusions must be eliminated (i.e. padded) or guarded as necessary to the satisfaction of the judges.
  14. The vehicle must be equipped with the following elements: simulated TV camera (approximately 2" x 3" x 6"), simulated high gain antenna (minimum diameter of reflector: 2'), two simulated batteries (each approximately 4"x 6"x 8"), moon dust abatement devices (aka fenders) over each wheel, simulated electronic controls- radio and display console (total combined minimum size 1 cubic foot) and national or school flag. These items (and their sizes) will be checked prior to, and after, each course run.
  15. Backing up is not required, but may be useful.
  16. Vehicles that do not satisfy the intent of the moonbuggy competition can be disqualified.
  17. Only vehicles registered for the competition will be allowed in the pits area.
  18. Brakes must be present to insure the ability to safely stop the vehicle.
Passenger Rules
  1. Moonbuggy Passengers- two (2) student team members (one female and one male)
  2. Eye protection (e.g. goggles or face shield), head protection (a bicycle helmet), and appropriate clothing (gloves WITH fingers, long pants, socks, shoes, short or long sleeved upper garment covering the torso) must be worn during operation of the moonbuggy.
  3. No appendages such as stilts may be used on the feet of the moonbuggy passengers.
  4. Pushing the moonbuggy with a pole or other implement is not allowed.
  5. The consumption of alcoholic beverages or controlled substances by any team member at any time during the event is strictly prohibited and is grounds for disqualification of the team.
Penalties

Penalties may be incurred for the following:

Pre-Race:

  1. Carry (weight) requirement, 2:00 minutes
  2. 4'x4'x4' Volume requirement, 2:00 minutes
  3. 15" Clearance requirement, 2:00 minutes
  4. Assembled size width (4') requirement, 2:00 minutes
  5. Late start penalty- Moonbuggy teams will be called for pre-race qualifying (before the 1st run) and to the start line (2nd run). The following penalties will be assessed to teams that are not present and ready to begin: 5 minutes late-4 minute penalty; 10 minutes late- disqualification

Race:

  1. Obstacle (1-15) penalties, full/0 of standard penalty
  2. Passenger/ground, course contact penalties, full/0 of standard penalty
  3. (One passenger/ground contact penalty will be incurred if there is ground, rope or railing contact in an "obstacle judging area". An obstacle judging area is defined as the area from the previous obstacle to the "current" obstacle. Maximum of 1 penalty in each obstacle judging area). Standard Penalty: 1 minute.

Post/Pre Race:

  1. Final Condition- seven items (Fenders, US flag, simulated: 1st battery, 2nd battery, high gain antenna, tv camera, radio and display console)- 0:30 seconds ea.

Disqualification:

  1. Passenger requirement (1 male, 1 female)
  2. Missing an obstacle
  3. Safety Disqualification (judges discretion)
  4. 10 minute late start

Penalty Appeals

The scoring decisions of the judges are considered to be final. Only in extraordinary circumstances should appeals of penalties be proposed. If the appeals process is chosen, the advisor/instructor or the team leader must submit the appeal of the penalty. Appeals must be submitted in writing to the scoring tent within 1/2 hour of the posting of the score in question. The team risks forfeiting 1 standard penalty if the appeal is rejected. The final decision of the Great Moonbuggy Race Director shall prevail.

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