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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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Summary
Timeline
Updates44
Forum176
Teams2.8K
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
Updates44

Challenge Updates

Upcoming Video Flight Readiness Reviews - REMINDER

March 18, 2025, 6:09 a.m. PDT by ESRA Executive Director

The Video Flight Readiness Review (VFRR) does not need a powerpoint slide presentation.  The VFRR needs to be a HANDS-ON LIVE video INSPECTION of the rocket itself...  The safety reviewer needs to inspect the rocket like we do when you arrive at the event... 
 

  • Safety Reviewers need confirmation that the rocket is complete (or nearly complete) and ready to fly.
     
  • Example Safety Reviewer Request:  "Pull off the nosecone and show me the recovery harness linkage".  
     
  • Be prepared to have handheld phone cameras or other portable cameras and a big area to take your rocket apart.  
     
  • RECORD THE VIDEO and submit it to as soon as the review is complete.

CRITICAL: Pre-Registration Is Now Open!!

March 17, 2025, 5 a.m. PDT by ESRA Registration Sierra Stockwell

Hello Rocketeers,

Thank you all for your patience while we prepared Pre-Registration. Pre-Registration is a little different this year, it will be completed on an individual basis using a Microsoft Form. The same form will be used for all types of attendees, Students, Advisors, Flyers of Record, Mentors, Volunteers, Spectators, Sponsors, Vendors, and Press alike. There will be some questions that are specific to your category (i.e., student). 

Remember that ALL attendees must obtain a Tripoli membership for insurance purposes. The Liability Waiver is now apart of the form, so once you digitally sign and accept the terms in the form your waiver will be complete. 

I have linked a tutorial to explain, as well as a document that lays out the information that we will be collecting, and the link to the form itself. You will have until April 28th to complete pre-registration, but remember that the earlier your entire team completes Pre-Registration the better time-slot you will get! This information is critical for many aspects of our operation, the earlier we get it the better, so please submit as soon as possible. 

Pre-Registration Instructions 2025

Pre-Registration Tutorial

Pre-Registration Form

Thank you for your time,
Sierra Stockwell

Registration Coordinator

Uprange Operations Manager

registration@esrarocket.org


ESRA MARCH TOWNHALL LIVE NOW

March 6, 2025, 5:04 p.m. PST by ESRA Executive Director

The ESRA leadership will be hosting a monthly Town Hall Q&A session for all IREC 2025 student competitors leading up to competition week. These virtual meetings will provide important updates, competition guidelines, and an opportunity for teams to ask questions directly to the ESRA leadership.

Meeting Details:
🕒 Time: 7:00 – 8:00 PM Central (UTC -6)
📅 Dates:
    •    Thursday, March 6, 2025
    •    Thursday, April 3, 2025
    •    Thursday, May 1, 2025
    •    Thursday, June 5, 2025 (subject to cancellation)

🔗 Zoom links: linktr.ee/esra.rocket
🔑 Password: IREC2025

All teams are strongly encouraged to attend and stay informed on competition-related details. This is your chance to get your questions answered directly by the ESRA leadership!


IREC Rules and Requirements Updates 1.6 has been published

March 5, 2025, 6:59 a.m. PST by ESRA Executive Director

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

 

Specific updates to 1.6:
1.  Updated Section 2.0 to include 45,000 ft category
2.  Changed the cutoff time for Saturday’s recovery time to 10 am and the cutoff time for Wednesday – Friday to 20:00 in Section 2.5
3.  Clarified ESRA’s social media platforms and team responsibilities in Section 2.6.1.1
4.  Underlined Submission format in Section 2.6.2
5.  Underlined Submission format in Section 2.6.4
6.  Underlined Submission format in Section 2.6.4.1
7.  Underlined Submission format in Section 2.6.6.1
8.  Updated Section 2.6.6.2 to include 45k
9.  Updated Section 2.8.1 to include 45,000 ft category
10.  Added a note to Section 2.8.1.2 for feedback on Technical Reports
11.  Updated Section 2.8.1.4 to include 45,000 ft category
12.  Deleted Section 2.8.1.8
13.  Updated Appendix C to include lost badge as a violation


Town Hall Reminder!

March 4, 2025, 6:27 p.m. PST by ESRA Registration Sierra Stockwell

The ESRA leadership will be hosting a monthly Town Hall Q&A session for all IREC 2025 student competitors leading up to competition week. These virtual meetings will provide important updates, competition guidelines, and an opportunity for teams to ask questions directly to the ESRA leadership.

Meeting Details:
🕒 Time: 7:00 – 8:00 PM Central (UTC -6)
📅 Dates:
    •    Thursday, March 6, 2025
    •    Thursday, April 3, 2025
    •    Thursday, May 1, 2025
    •    Thursday, June 5, 2025 (subject to cancellation)

🔗 Zoom links: linktr.ee/esra.rocket
🔑 Password: IREC2025

All teams are strongly encouraged to attend and stay informed on competition-related details. This is your chance to get your questions answered directly by the ESRA leadership!


Forum176
Teams2.8K
Resources
FAQ