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International Rocket Engineering Competition

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International Rocket Engineering Competition 2025

Join us as we host thousands of the world's most ambitious collegiate rocketeers in a one-of-a-kind event.

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stage:
Video Flight Readiness Review Deadline

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Summary
Timeline
Updates70
Forum235
Teams2.9K
Resources
FAQ
Summary

Overview

International Rocket Engineering Competition 2025

June 9-14, 2025

Over 2,000 students, faculty and mentors will gather for the 18th annual International Rocket Engineering Competition (IREC)in June of 2025.  Drawn by the opportunity to collaborate and compete in a world class event, you represent the best and brightest from more than 150 colleges and universities located across the USA and around the world. 

Join us as we host thousands of the world's most ambitious collegiate rocketeers in a one-of-a-kind event. Part academic conference and part design-build-fly style competition, the IREC has something to offer students, faculty, industry representatives, and amateur aerospace aficionados alike.

 

The biggest rockets, the highest altitudes and largest payloads! 
​How will you answer the call?

Whether you are an academic, an industry representative, a retired professional, or simply a passionate amateur supportive of young minds who seek new horizons... there are many ways you may become a part of an event impacting the future of aerospace...

As a Sponsor...

You could interact with over 1,800 university STEM students from top ranked universities and colleges in a professional and competitive setting. Not only can your organization interact with them face to face but you can also learn about how their aerospace hardware performs in real world conditions. Finally, you will help make possible an event which inspires the best possible candidates for your company! 

As a Volunteer...

You will join a highly motivated and talented ESRA team which brings together the thousands of moving pieces to build the world's largest collegiate rocket engineering conference and competition. From directing crowds to directing launches and everything in between, we need you at the IREC! 

As a Judge...

You will join a group of respected experts and professionals who interact with the student teams to evaluate and score the deliverables, including technical design documents, overall team performance and launch success.  This team determines who will receive the coveted Genesis Trophy as the Overall Winner of the IREC.

As a Student... 

You will demonstrate your hard work on an international stage, in front of thousands of your peers, professors, and prospective employers. You will engage in design-build-fly style rocket and payload engineering competitions in a professional setting, at world class facilities, where the sky is not the limit!


Guidelines

Guidelines for the International Rocket Engineering Competition (IREC) are hosted on our website! www.soundingrocket.org/irec-documents--forms.html

You'll want to review the following documents:

  • IREC Rules and Requirements Document
  • IREC Design, Test, and Evaluation Guide
  • Integrated Master Schedule
  • SDL Payload Challenge Rules & Information
  • IREC Range Standard Operating Procedures
  • Pre-Registration Forms and Instructions
  • Explanation Letter for IREC Fees
  • Proper Clothing for the IREC
  • Maps to travel to the Vertical Launch Area

 

 





 

Timeline
Updates70

Challenge Updates

May 17 edition of Integrated Master Schedule has been posted to the ESRA website

May 20, 2025, 1:18 p.m. PDT by ESRA Executive Director

Please refer to this as the latest and most up to date schedule for the ESRA IREC.  Make sure your ENTIRE TEAM is aware of this schedule.

https://www.soundingrocket.org/irec-documents--forms.html

 


ACTION REQUIRED: IREC2025 Launch Member Portal Signup

May 15, 2025, 6:54 p.m. PDT by ESRA Registration Sierra Stockwell

Hello Rocketeers,


Each team has been sent an email from launch@davincimakerlabs.com to their primary and secondary team lead contacts regarding an invitation to join the IREC2025 Launch Member Portal, this is NOT spam. If you cannot find this email please check the spam folder of your team lead primary contact entered on HeroX. There is an enclosed instructional video which can also be found here (https://youtu.be/3l-QrYh0Hd8) about how to complete this process. There are four steps: point of contact registration, team member invitations, enter rocket information, and enter RF information, ALL of which MUST be completed AT LEAST ONE WEEK PRIOR to check-in day in Midland TX. Failure to complete this process promptly could inhibit your ability to begin flight safety reviews on Monday.


It is recommended that all members attending are added to your team in this portal, however these should be your top priority:

  • Team lead(s)
  • Anyone needed to complete the rocket profile
  • GPS Members
  • Recovery members
  • Any backup recovery members
     

This system is CRITICAL to the function of the event, it will handle frequency allocation and deconfliction, recovery member verification and training, queue management, and provide valuable insight to reviewers onsite.
If you have watched the entire instructional video and still have any questions, please reach out via the Data Collection Tracking Forum on HeroX for assistance.


Thank you for your time,
Sierra Stockwell
Uprange Operations Manager
Registration Coordinator

 


 


Update to shipping instructions

May 14, 2025, 10:58 a.m. PDT by ESRA Executive Director

NO ENERGETICS ALLOWED.  NO MOTORS OR ANY OTHER TYPE OF ENERGETICS INCLUDING CO2 CARTRIDGES


REMINDER - Team Videos due on May 30th, 2025

May 11, 2025, 5:59 p.m. PDT by ESRA Executive Director

SHIPPING ADDRESS for the 2025 IREC in Midland

May 10, 2025, 11:37 a.m. PDT by ESRA Executive Director

2025 ESRA IREC Shipping Instructions

To ensure the smooth handling and delivery of your materials or equipment, please use the following shipping information and guidelines.

 

DO NOT SHIP MOTORS OR ANY TYPE OF ENERGETICS including Black Powder, Pyrodex or CO2 cartridges.

 

Address to SHIP TO:

Legacy Artificial Lift Solutions

Attn: ESRA IREC [Student Team Name] or [ESRA - Name]  ex: ESRA IREC Team 139 Smith College

3000 W. Interstate 20

Midland, TX 79701

United States

 

IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS FOR PREPARING YOUR PACKAGE:

  • On the package, include the following in writing:
    • HOLD FOR: IREC
    • Contact Person: [Student Team Name & Phone Number] or [ESRA & Phone Number]
    • Box Number of total boxes (e.g., Box 1 of 3).
  • Ensure all shipments arrive no earlier than May 7, 2025 and no later than June 9, 2025.
  • IMPORTANT!  Return shipments must be coordinated with your shipping provider.  You cannot return the items to the SHIP TO site.  It is only for receiving packages before the event
  • The facility is a large, secured warehouse but it is NOT AIR CONDITIONED
  • You may pick up your shipments at the following days and times: 
    • Thursday, June 5, 2025 from 9am until 4pm
    • Friday, June 6, 2025 from 9am until 4pm
    • Sunday, June 8, 2025 from 2pm until 6pm
    • Monday, June 9, 2025 from 9am until 4pm

https://www.soundingrocket.org/uploads/9/0/6/4/9064598/2025_esra_irec_shipping_instructions.pdf

DO NOT SHIP MOTORS OR ANY TYPE OF ENERGETICS including Black Powder, Pyrodex or CO2 cartridges.


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Resources
FAQ