Requirements for UPGAFS Qualifications
In order for space ships to receive official qualification under the United Planetary Galactic Allied Federation Society's rather stringent rules, attendees must observe several rules. Specifically, all spaceships must conform to the following standards:
- Spaceships must be no longer than 18 inches in width or breadth, and no more than 9 inches in height.
- Spaceships must reflect your team's identity.
In addition, we will be inviting all spaceships to participate in spaceship challenges at a date and time to be specified. While your ship does not need to participate in every challenge, you should make sure your spaceship can do at least two of the following:
- Emit a laser to hit a target (nothing that can cause permanent or temporary physical damage).
- Shoot a physical object as far as possible (think Nerfball...nothing that can cause permanent or temporary physical damage).
- Navigate remotely.[1]
- Pick things[2] up via hook.[3]
- Press an overhead[4] button[5] remotely.[6]
Looking forward to seeing your ships at ZyzzlCon!
- [1] By "remotely", we mean: you may not step into a 9' square. Whatever propulsion device you choose to install on your ship is up to you; our testing facilities do not discriminate against nontraditional propulsion methods. [7]
- [2] By "things", we mean: small lightweight objects in the neighborhood of 2 inches in height.
- [3] By "hook", we mean: a SSOPUT (Some Sort Of Picker-Upper-Thingy) that can descend and retract about 2 feet. [8]
- [4] By "overhead", we mean: a choice of "directly overhead at about 15 inches" or "on the wall at about 11 inches, which is still overhead because our ship designer has adhered to the maximum dimensional guidelines as noted above".
- [5] By "button" we mean: an object that, when impacted with the force that an average 9-inch spaceship is expected to be able to generate, will Do Something. [9]
- [6] By "remotely", we mean: your hands may not directly touch your ship or the buttons. The second point is moot, because your hands will not be able to reach the buttons, anyway. [9]
- [7] Should you find it necessary at any point in the testing process, your ship's mechanics will be allowed to perform field modifications. [9]
- [8] We do not expect your ships to be equipped with the most expensive, state-of-the-art equipment. All tasks can be performed by ships constructed with standard, readily-available parts. You may choose to be more creative at your discretion, with the understanding that your efforts will only gain you a slight edge, but will most certainly Make Your Ship Look Badass. [9]
- [9] My, this is all terribly vague and anticipation-building, isn't it? Why, yes, yes it is! Exciting full details will only be revealed to attendees of ZyzzlCon 3009!