IREC 2027 · 10K COTS

Earningour spot

We're applying to fly FP-1 at the International Rocket Engineering Competition in Midland, Texas, June 14–19, 2027.

Road to IREC 2027

From design review to the pad

One academic year to design, build and flight-prove our first competition rocket. Every test flight has backup dates, and we're building spare fins and recovery hardware so a rough landing doesn't stall the schedule.

Now
Apply to IREC 2027
Application in progress for the 10K COTS category.
Oct – Nov 2026
Design & procurement
Finalize the vehicle design, hold design reviews with our faculty advisor and mentors, and order components and motors.
Nov – Dec 2026
Subscale build
Update OpenRocket and RASAero with measured masses, then build a subscale rocket with the same avionics and dual deployment. Bench and ground deployment tests.
Dec 4 – 6, 2026
Subscale flight · MDRA
First flight at Higgs Farm to prove avionics, dual deployment, GPS tracking and recovery before full-scale manufacturing.
Dec 2026 – Jan 2027
Full-scale manufacturing
Build the competition vehicle, integrate the avionics, ground-test deployment and hold flight readiness reviews.
Jan 2027
Full-scale test 1 · Shakedown
Reduced-altitude flight at MDRA Higgs Farm to check structure, avionics, tracking and recovery.
Feb 2027
Full-scale test 2 · Competition motor
Fly at BattlePark, Virginia, on the competition motor to validate altitude predictions and transonic stability.
Mar 2027
Full-scale test 3 · Refinement
Tune ballast, wind response and altitude consistency based on what the first flights teach us.
Apr 2027
Full-scale test 4 · Competition configuration
The finished vehicle with its working payload, final avionics, recovery and ballast.
May 2027
Contingency & readiness
Spare launch dates for weather or design changes, then final inspections and flight readiness reviews.
June 14 – 19, 2027
IREC · Midland, Texas
If accepted: final prep, safety inspections and the competition flight.

Test launch sites

MDRA Higgs FarmMaryland · 5,000 ft ceilingSubscale and reduced-altitude winter tests
BattleParkVirginia · 7,000 ft standing ceilingMain full-scale test site; higher flights by prior approval
MARS GeneseoNew York · 8,000 ft (2026 waiver)Backup full-scale site; 2027 ceiling to be confirmed

Partner with us

Help us light the motor.

Sponsors fuel everything here: motors, materials, test flights and the 1,650-mile trip to Texas. If you'd like to help bring York College rocketry back to national competition, we'd love to talk.

Become a partner