The 2026 International Rocket Engineering Competition (IREC) will take place in Midland, Texas from June 15–20, 2026.
The Experimental Sounding Rocket Association (ESRA) is a non-profit organization founded in 2003 for the purpose of fostering and promoting engineering knowledge and experience in the field of rocketry. ESRA’s mission is to provide safe and exciting opportunities for academic groups to compete in aerospace challenges.
In 2006, ESRA established the International Rocket Engineering Competition (IREC) which has since grown from a handful of U.S. based collegiate teams to welcoming over 180 collegiate teams from 22 countries on 6 different continents. During the IREC each team designs, builds, tests and launches rockets with a payload size >2kg and target altitudes of 10,000 to 100,000 feet. Rockets are typically 4 to 8 inches in diameter and 8 to 20 ft. long. Multistage rockets and all chemical propulsion types (solid, liquid, and hybrid) are allowed.
The IREC isn’t just a competition, it’s a launchpad for innovation and careers. This year, 175 teams have successfully applied and been accepted to participate in the 2026 IREC to push the limits of high-powered rocketry, applying classroom theory to real-world engineering challenges, and break new IREC records!
In partnership with the Experimental Sounding Rocket Association, AIAA is proud to support the world’s largest university rocket engineering competition.
For more information about the competition, please visit: esrarocket.org
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