Welcome to the 2025 International Rocket Engineering Competition!
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The Experimental Sounding Rocket Association (ESRA) welcomes the general public to the 2025 International Rocket Engineering Competition (IREC) in Midland, Texas. We are very excited for you to join us!
Our competition takes place in three separate locations in and around the greater Midland area beginning Monday, June 9th. Spectators are welcome to join in the festivities beginning Tuesday, June 10th during our Conference Day with Opening Ceremonies and Podium and Poster Sessions at the Midland Horseshoe Pavilion and ending with an Awards Ceremony on Saturday evening, June 14th at the George Bush Convention Center. |
Launches are expected to begin bright and early Wednesday morning at 7 am. Spectators are also welcome to join us at the Midland Spaceport Rocket Launch Area, located approximately 2.5 hours outside of Midland, just outside Saragosa, TX. (Map with coordinates provided below.) ALL SPECTATORS attending the launch are required to register and sign a liability waiver. Upon entering the launch site you will be asked to provide proof of registration. In an effort to streamline the process we highly encourage you to register in advance.
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Spectator Information Flyer Download
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Spectator FAQs
Is this event open to the public?
ABSOLUTELY! All 3 events are open to the public. You do need to register beforehand in order to attend. Registration is completely free.
ABSOLUTELY! All 3 events are open to the public. You do need to register beforehand in order to attend. Registration is completely free.
Where do I register?
www.soundingrocket.org/spectator (but you are already here, click here to register!)
www.soundingrocket.org/spectator (but you are already here, click here to register!)
Where do I find out more about the IREC?
Visit www.soundingrocket.org for more information. More specifically choose from the "IREC Competition" menu above. You are welcome to browse information related to the current and past IREC events.
Visit www.soundingrocket.org for more information. More specifically choose from the "IREC Competition" menu above. You are welcome to browse information related to the current and past IREC events.
Where is the schedule?
Visit http://www.soundingrocket.org/spectator for more information on the schedule
Visit http://www.soundingrocket.org/spectator for more information on the schedule
Will there be food available at the events?
YES. Food will be available at the Convention on Tuesday and at the launch site (Wed - Sat). There will NOT be any food for the awards ceremony on Saturday evening.
YES. Food will be available at the Convention on Tuesday and at the launch site (Wed - Sat). There will NOT be any food for the awards ceremony on Saturday evening.
How close can we get to the rockets?
If you attend the Convention on Tuesday, you can literally walk right up to the rockets. Once they are at the launch site, safety rules require us to keep spectators ~2,500 feet away from the launch pads.
If you attend the Convention on Tuesday, you can literally walk right up to the rockets. Once they are at the launch site, safety rules require us to keep spectators ~2,500 feet away from the launch pads.
Is this event being LiveStreamed?
ABSOLUTELY! Visit our Youtube channel and subscribe for alerts: www.youtube.com/@esrarocket
ABSOLUTELY! Visit our Youtube channel and subscribe for alerts: www.youtube.com/@esrarocket
My family member is competing. Can we visit with them?
Student competitors may go to the spectator area and visit with anyone. Spectators are NOT ALLOWED to enter the student rocket prep areas.
Student competitors may go to the spectator area and visit with anyone. Spectators are NOT ALLOWED to enter the student rocket prep areas.
Can we bring our own shade, chairs, or food to the events?
For the Convention Tuesday, you may bring chairs and food. For the launch site days (Wed - Sat), you can bring shade, chairs and food. For the Saturday awards ceremony, you should NOT bring shade, chairs or food.
For the Convention Tuesday, you may bring chairs and food. For the launch site days (Wed - Sat), you can bring shade, chairs and food. For the Saturday awards ceremony, you should NOT bring shade, chairs or food.
Is there a shuttle or some form of public transportation to the launch site?
Unfortunately at this time, there are no options for public transportation to the launch site. We are looking into options for both private and public transportation.
Unfortunately at this time, there are no options for public transportation to the launch site. We are looking into options for both private and public transportation.
Have a question? Email [email protected]
What do I wear to a Rocket Competition?
Competition Day 3 - Launch Day 1
2024 SA Cup - Tahoma Photography |
Proper Clothing for the IRECThis document provides student team members, staff and volunteers with a highly recommended style of clothing for dealing with the environment. Wearing inappropriate clothing such as flip flops, swimming attire, etc. can lead to points deductions or even removal from the site.
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Specific Event Location Details
Tuesday, June 10, 2025, 7 AM until 4:30 PM
Opening Ceremony, Conference Day Podium and Poster Sessions
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Midland Horseshoe Pavilion
2514 Arena Trl, Midland, TX 79701 Phone: (432) 682-1300 www.midlandhorseshoe.com/ Free parking in main parking lot |
Wednesday, June 11, 2025 beginning at 7 AM
Launch Site
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Midland Spaceport Rocket Launch Area
31°02'59.3"N 103°32'50.3"W This site is approximately 2.25 hours south of Midland so please schedule appropriately |
Optional Launch Livestream viewing in Midland at the Blakemore Planetarium
Beginning at 7 AM until 4:30 PM
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Blakemore Planetarium
Museum of the Southwest 1705 West Missouri Ave. Midland, Texas 79701 Phone: (432) 683-2882 https://www.museumsw.org/planetarium |
Saturday, June 14, 2025, doors open at 6 PM, ceremony begins at 7 PM
Final Awards Ceremony
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George Bush Convention Center
105 North Main Street Midland, TX 79701 Phone: (432) 687-8250 https://www.bushconventioncenter.com/ Free city parking within 1 block. Click on link above |
The 2025 IREC will be hosted in MIDLAND,TEXAS Monday, June 9 - 14, 2025.