SportRocketry July/August,'96
Makoto Yamada, president of the Japan Association of Rocketry, recently
sent the NAR some material describing hobby rocketry activities in his country.
Although much of the literature was in Japanese, the photos of rocketeers
having fun were certainly universal enough to understand!
Most of the report was about the first H-II Scale Contest held at the Tukuba
Space Center in November 1994.
Each of the 18 participants built a scale model of Japan's new H-II space
launch vehicle.
The models had to be under 1 kilogram, less than 1/30 scale, and were limited
to using D engines.
Many of the models were beautifully detailed and used advanced techniques
such as separation of the solid rocket boosters, multi-staging, and deployment
of model satellites to garner additional flight points.
The winner was Mr. Naoyuki Mayumi of the Tokoyo Model Rocket Club, whose
model flew using four D engines.
A special prize was awarded to Miss Yoko Watanabe for her 1/500 scale (4
inches tall) model flown with an A3-4T engine. Not entered in the con test,
but flown as a demo, was a 1/20 scale (over 8 feet tall) model of the H-II
powered by an H motor, built by Mr. Youichi Kuge.
Photos of several "odd-rocs" were also included, all constructed
by Mr. Kuge (apparently the Randall Redd of Japan). Along with a squid,
flying egg, and a giant cartoon head with big ears as fins, was my favorite:
A rocket that looks like a traffic sign post until liftoff.
The JAR has had some recent success in loosening government restrictions
on model rocketry in Japan. Previously, modelers under 18 years of age were
limited to using A engines.
Under a new 1995 law, anyone can now use engines having less than 20 grams
of propellant, delay, and ejection charge (essentially, C engines) as long
as they have passed a rocketry safety course from the JAR. Larger motors
are still limited to adults with a higher class JAR license and a permit
from the Japanese government.