International Rocket Engineering Competition 2025

• Doors open at 6pm at the Bush Convention Center
• https://maps.app.goo.gl/PnyT6qzAfzcjAmDT6
• 105 N Main St, Midland, TX 79701
• Awards ceremony begins at 7pm
• All attendees must wear their name badges!
• Use the map below for parking and where to enter the building
• Concessions and Merchandise sales will be open

Important Update from the City of Midland

    We wanted to make you aware of a planned protest scheduled to take place in Centennial Park today, with gatherings expected around 10:00 AM and again at 5:00 PM. This is part of the nationwide “No Kings” protest movement.

      While this event is not affiliated with the Convention Center or any scheduled activities, we have been in contact with the City Parks Department, Midland Police Department, and the Sheriff’s Office to ensure everyone is informed and that necessary precautions are in place. At this time, there are no indications of disruptions to your event. However, we will have additional security on-site throughout the day to ensure the safety and comfort of all guests.

     As a precaution and due to heightened security and the potential for increased foot traffic in the park, the Bush Convention Center will have limited entry points on that day. All entrances will be locked, and all attendees must enter through the Main Street entrance on the east side of the building, located next to the Circle Drive.

We also kindly ask that all attendees wear their name badges while inside the facility for identification and security purposes.

For your convenience, I’ve included a map that shows the closest parking lots, with their entrances marked, as well as the designated entrance to the Bush Convention Center.

Every year, ESRA has a monumental task of recovering, cleaning and packing up all of the launch operations equipment we use to get your rocket projects launched.

By volunteering to assist, Student teams are eligible for bonus points which could help your overall standing (particularly if you submitted deliverables late) .

Student teams are asked to arrived at the LCO area at 10am (with work gloves if possible).  Launch rails will need to be taken down, cleaned and stored.  With some luck and sufficient numbers of volunteers, we can make quick work of this challenging task so we can depart in preparation for the Closing Award ceremony in Midland. 

Gates will open at 5am as normal.

There will likely be a 2nd (the last of the IREC) Launch Salvo around 10am.  

Post Flight Data Recovery will CLOSE AT 10AM. NO EXCEPTIONS!    

IREC 2025 Launch Operations, the Airspace and the FAA Waiver close at 12n.  No rocket will be allowed to launch after 12n (even if it is prepped and on the rail).  ESRA will not risk our incredible FAA waiver

Teams who are launching in the first salvo (those in Quarantine now), must recover their rocket and bring it to Post Flight Data Recovery before 10am to receive credit for the flight.  If you arrive after 10am and the Post Flight team collects your data, it is still too late to submit it to the judges. They will not accept it as they have already begun their final deliberations on competition winners.

There will be two additional HeroX updates over the next few hours which are very important.

• Information for Student teams who wish to assist the ESRA team as we close down the range
• Important information for attending the 2025 IREC Awards Ceremony Saturday evening.

All teams are welcome tomorrow. Gates open at 5am.   Teams who have flown on previous days should do there best to allow other teams who have not flown to have a spot under the big tents.  

Also, our medical team has asked us to remind everyone that water + electrolytes are critical to avoiding heat related injuries. Please be prepared.

Friday is your last full day to fly.  Saturday is a very short half day.  Teams are warned that waiting until Saturday to launch is a very, very bad idea. We cannot promise or guarantee your rocket will be able to launch on Saturday due to the overwhelming demand.  You should Launch on Friday to avoid heartache and frustration. Show up early, and be highly prepared to launch before noon at the latest.

Be safe and see everyone on Friday.

All remaining teams who can bring their own shade may now depart for the launch site. Please understand that we have no space remaining under the student tents.  Temperatures are rising rapidly and will exceed 100 degrees today.  Walmart and home depot have canopies for sale so pick one up before heading out.  Flight safety review is open and ejection charge testing is available.