To enter the SDL Payload Challenge, each interested team shall submit a payload challenge entry form to SDL no later than May 31, 2025; email to: payloadchallenge@sdl.usu.edu ​

2026 IREC SDL Payload Challenge Entry Judging Sheet

Last Updated: Nov. 9, 2025 by jem

Each team shall submit a Project Technical Report which overviews their project for the judging panel and other competition officials. The Project Technical Report shall be formatted according to the style guide of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), using a provided Microsoft® Word document template. These files are to be submitted in pdf format.

IREC Project Technical Report Template 2022

Last Updated: October 1, 2021

In accordance with the IREC Rules & Requirements Document, the Project Technical Report appendix shall contain a Risk Assessment. This appendix shall summarize risk and reliability concepts associated with the project. All identified failure modes which pose a risk to mission success shall be recorded in a matrix, organized according to the mission phases identified by the concept of operation (CONOPS). A mitigation approach – by process and/or design – shall be defined for each risk identified. An example of such a matrix is available here.

Example Risk Assessment Matrix

Last Updated: October 9, 2016

Each team shall submit an Extended Abstract on a particular aspect of their work for competition officials and the judging panel to consider including in a Podium Session held during the conference day at the IREC. Teams whose topics are accepted into the Podium Session will be considered eligible for Technical Excellence and Innovation Awards defined in the IREC Rules & Requirements Document. The Extended Abstract shall be formatted according to the style guide of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), using a provided Microsoft® Word document template. The file should be submitted as a pdf format.

IREC Extended Abstract Template 2017

Last Updated: October 9, 2016

Each team shall have the academic institution(s) in which its members are enrolled provide a signed letter to the event organizers, acknowledging the team's participation in the IREC. The signature shall be that of a faculty member or other paid, non-student staff representative. This will affirm the team in question does in fact represent the academic institution(s) its members claim affiliation with. Academic institutions sending more than one team to the IREC need only write one participation letter, covering all their teams, but each included team must submit an individual copy of that letter. In the case of a joint team, comprised of students from multiple academic institutions, each affiliated institution must provide its own letter to the team. 

Example IREC School Participation Letter

Last Updated: October 9, 2016

Every individual attending the IREC – including team members, faculty advisers, and other invited guests – shall digitally sign the IREC Waiver and Release of Liability Form. Individuals who do not sign this form will be unable to participate in any activities during the IREC. 

​The IREC Waiver and Release of Liability Form is available for digital signature at the following web address:​ 
TBD

Last Updated: Aug 23, 2025 by jem

The following sample of the IREC Flight Safety Review Resolution Form is provided for participants' reference purposes only. The flier's actual form will be issued at the event by an inspector from the Flight Safety Team. The Launch approval process, including the Flight Safety Review, is defined in the Standard Operating Procedures.

IREC Flight Safety Review Resolution Form

Last Updated: June 3, 2019

The following sample of the IREC Consolidated Flight Card and Post Flight Record is provided for participants' reference purposes only. The flier's actual form will be issued at the event by an inspector from the Launch Operations Team. The Launch approval process, including the use of the Consolidated Flight Card and Post Flight Record is defined in the Standard Operating Procedures.

Sample IREC Consolidated Flight Card & Post Flight Record v1.1

​Last Updated: June 3, 2019

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