Brigham Young University Rocketry Team Competes in the International Engineering Rocket Competition held in Midland, TX
The International Rocket Engineering Competition (IREC) is the world's largest collegiate rocket engineering competition, bringing together student teams from around the globe to design, build, and launch high-powered rockets to target altitudes of 10,000, 30,000, or 45,000 feet while carrying a 2 kg payload.
The 2026 BYU Rocketry Team delivered an outstanding performance at the Intercollegiate Rocket Engineering Competition (IREC), placing 4th out of 21 teams in the 30k COTS category and earning a perfect score for build quality.
The team successfully launched and recovered a supersonic rocket for the first time in program history, reaching a higher altitude than any previous BYU rocket. In addition, the payload team was named a finalist in the BYU Student Innovator of the Year competition, earning 6th place overall.
The BYU Rocketry Team also secured one of the competition's prestigious podium presentation opportunities, where students shared their research on drag optimization.
Beyond competition success, the program achieved record-high industry placement, with more than 60% of participating students receiving internship offers from leading aerospace organizations, including NASA, Hermeus, Blue Origin, Anduril, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, and the U.S. Air Force Civilian Service.
Congratulations to the BYU Rocketry Team on an incredible year of innovation, achievement, and student success!
BYU Rocketry Team with their 2026 Snowbird rocket
BYU Rocketry Team celebrates as they watch the launch of Snowbird in the 30k COTS category at 2026 IREC.
BYU Rocketry Team at the 2026 International Rocket Engineering Competition at Midland, Texas.
BYU Rocketry Team at the 2026 International Rocket Engineering Competition at Midland, Texas.
