In addition to the top prize, the Vanderbilt University team also took home the Best Payload Design for the most creative and innovative payload experiment.

Third-place Tarleton State also won three additional recognitions: the Rookie Award; the Science Mission Directorate Payload Award for most creative and innovative payload design while maximizing safety and science value; and the Best Team Spirit prize, a peer award voted on by all the rocket teams.

Alabama A&M University in Huntsville won the Altitude Award for coming closest to the 1-mile mark without going over -- only 11 feet shy of 5,280 feet above ground.

The University of Louisville team won three awards: Best Vehicle Design for the most creative, innovative and safety-conscious rocket; Best Web Design; and the Education Engagement Award. The team from Mississippi State University in Starkville won the Project Review Award for their reviews and formal presentations and also finished in fifth place overall. The student teams voted the University of Nebraska in Lincoln as winner of this year's Best-Looking Rocket.

NASA's Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate, Science Mission Directorate and Office of Education, all in Washington, sponsor the Student Launch Projects challenge. ATK provides corporate sponsorship. The National Association of Rocketry provides technical review and launch support.

Hundreds of flight enthusiasts cheered the student rocketeers at the launch site. More than 8,000 individual viewers also watched the event live on Marshall's UStream channel. Archived launch-day coverage is available at:

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/nasa-msfc

For complete lists of participating students, visit:

http://education.msfc.nasa.gov/slp

Visit NASA Student Launch Projects on Facebook and Twitter:

http://www.facebook.com/NASAStudentLaunch

and

http://twitter.com/SLI_1MILEHIGH

For more information about NASA education projects, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/education

There is a 10,000' waiver for this field and flights can be made to 14,000' with a call in.

Motors allowed are 1/2A through M impulse. If you plan on flying L or M motors please contact either Whitney Richard or Paul Sansoucie to arrange for pad placement or if you require the large rail (1515 rail). If you plan on flying hybrid motors, please contact us in advance thru our web site.

There will be a porta-potty on site to provide its relief efforts.

To stay up-to-date on launch information please check our site http://www.tra-la.org

Order your copy today, from Liberty Launch Systems.
$17.95 DVD, $19.95 HD Blu-Ray

The Tripoli Rocketry Association is a 501(c)(3) corporation involved in supporting hobby rocketry. One component of its charter is the furthering of educational opportunities that are part of this high tech hobby.   

As one part of this mission, the Tripoli Rocketry Association has created a scholarship fund in honor of past Director; Erik Gates.  Erik lived a full and active life.  His contributions to promote high powered rocketry and represent our hobby in a professional and positive manner will forever be appreciated.  Erik’s tragic death was the catalyst that set into motion the creation of the Erik Gates Memorial Scholarship Fund. 

This fund will be used to annually award an educational scholarship to assist in the continued education of the award recipient. 

If you or a family member is interested in pursuing this scholarship please look at the eligibility requirements and information on how to submit an application located on the Tripoli website: www.Tripoli.org click on the “About” tab on the home page.

Application submissions must be postmarked by June 1.

There is a mechanism on that page for making online donations to the scholarship fund.  You will make a lasting tribute to Erik Gates when you contribute as well as helping educate our community.