Experimental Torsion Hybrid Onager System
We are a pumpkin chunkin’ catapult team founded in 2006 in Dayton Ohio. Most of our team members work for or are associated with Wright Patterson Air Force Base.
Our machine, “The Phoenix”, is based on the ancient Greek concept of torsion. It derives its throwing power from a bundle of twisted ropes. The Greeks, and later the Romans, had several types of catapults based on this concept, one of which was known as an Onager.
Our mission is to research and design a world-class onager using modern materials, modern experimental methods, and advanced analysis techniques. We are continuously experimenting with different concepts to improve performance, and we thrive on the pursuit of understanding the physics of these complex machines.
Events for 2017
Team ETHOS participates in demonstrations, contests, and educational activities. If you are interested in engaging us for a demonstration of educational event, please contact us!
Clark’s Farm Market
October TBD
Wright Patterson AFB
October 27th
World Championships
November 3rd-5th
Contest Results
Below is a summary of our contest ranges and placings. For more details of the current year contest shenanigans, see the Chunk-umentory page. “WPAFB" = Wright Patterson AFB contest, “World" = World Championships
2016
WPAFB: 1st, 3391 feet
World: 1st, 3202 feet
2015
WPAFB: 1st, 3224 feet
World: cancelled
2014
WPAFB: 1st, 3458 feet
World: cancelled
2013
WPAFB: cancelled
World: 2nd, 2424 feet
2012
WPAFB: 1st, 1908 feet
World: 4th, 2237 feet
2011
WPAFB: 1st, 2972 feet
World: 3rd, 2911 feet
2010
WPAFB: 1st, 1220 feet
World: 6th, pie
2009
WPAFB: 1st, 1461 feet
World: 1st, 2088 feet
2008
WPAFB: n/a
World: 4th, 1190 feet
2007
WPAFB: 2nd, 635 feet
World: n/a
Disclaimer
A Catapult can cause injury, death and/or damage to property, either through construction, operation, misuse, component failure, errant (or deliberate) aiming, impact of payload, etc. The ETHOS Catapult Endowment and Team ETHOS assumes NO responsibility for any use of the material contained in this website. Anyone who uses information obtained from or through this web site, for whatever purposes, is solely responsible for its use and the consequences thereof. Neither ETHOS Catapult Endowment and Team ETHOS nor any of its affiliates, shall be held liable for the information contained herein.
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