The space derby was a racing event for
Cub Scouts
Cub Scouts, Cubs or Wolf Cubs are programs associated with Scouting for young children usually between 7 and 12, depending on the organization to which they belong. A participant in the program is called a Cub. A group of Cubs is called a 'P ...
in the
Boy Scouts of America
The Boy Scouts of America (BSA, colloquially the Boy Scouts) is one of the largest scouting organizations and one of the largest List of youth organizations, youth organizations in the United States, with about 1.2 million youth partici ...
that is similar to the
pinewood derby car race. Cub Scouts (the young-age division of the Boy Scouts) race miniature
balsa wood
''Ochroma pyramidale'', commonly known as the balsa tree, is a large, fast-growing tree native to the Americas. It is the sole member of the genus ''Ochroma''. The tree is famous for its wide usage in woodworking, with the name ''balsa'' being ...
gliders that are propelled by a
rubber band
A rubber band (also known as an elastic band, gum band or lacky band) is a loop of rubber, usually ring or oval shaped, and commonly used to hold multiple objects together. The rubber band was patented in England on March 17, 1845 by Stephen P ...
and
propeller
A propeller (colloquially often called a screw if on a ship or an airscrew if on an aircraft) is a device with a rotating hub and radiating blades that are set at a pitch to form a helical spiral which, when rotated, exerts linear thrust upon ...
. During the 1960s, this was also known as the "rocket derby".
Construction
The space derby kit consisted of a balsa wood block,
propeller
A propeller (colloquially often called a screw if on a ship or an airscrew if on an aircraft) is a device with a rotating hub and radiating blades that are set at a pitch to form a helical spiral which, when rotated, exerts linear thrust upon ...
assembly,
rubber band
A rubber band (also known as an elastic band, gum band or lacky band) is a loop of rubber, usually ring or oval shaped, and commonly used to hold multiple objects together. The rubber band was patented in England on March 17, 1845 by Stephen P ...
s, plastic sheet (for fins), and a mounting bracket. The wood block came out of the box with a drilled out center hole. The block was carved into the desired shape, sanded and painted. The mounting bracket and fins could be added either before or after painting. The rubber band was inserted through the center hole with one end on the propeller and the other held in a cross-piece at the rear.
Race
The completed gliders were wound up with as many as 100 or more turns on the propeller and suspended on a string from a separate bracket with the propeller held in place. Two, three or four string lanes were typically used. The gliders were held in place and launched when the mechanism released the propeller.
Retirement
In 2022, the supplier of space derby kits experienced supply-chain issues and was no longer able to make the kits available. After a review of participation in the program over the previous several years, the National Council decided to retire the space derby program.
See also
*
Raingutter regatta
The raingutter regatta is a racing event for Cub Scouts in the Boy Scouts of America that is the sailboat equivalent of the pinewood derby. The sailboat kit consists of a seven-inch (178 mm) long balsa wood hull, a -inch mast, plastic sail, ...
References
External links
{{DEFAULTSORT:Space Derby
Boy Scouts of America
Scouting events
Racing
Wooden toys