Documents, Forms and Branding
The documents below is everything a team needs to compete in the IREC and its Sponsored Challenges.
These documents are living documents and will be updated as the competition progresses and launch dates get closer.
Please check back periodically to make sure you have the most recent document. Unless otherwise noted, all documents and forms/templates remain valid from their effective date until they are either replaced or otherwise obsoleted by ESRA. Feel free to contact the ESRA Launch Ops Director with any questions.
Documents
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This document primarily defines the schedule on which participants in the IREC must submit the required deliverables to the event organizers in order to be considered "timely" in scoring. Furthermore, this document integrates other information useful to participants, such as the deadlines for early, on-time, or late payment of fees, due dates for required waivers/forms, and the detailed event schedule of the IREC itself.
2027 IREC Integrated Master Schedule Document REV P1
Last Updated: September 20, 2027 by Mohi Khan
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This document defines the rules and requirements governing participation in the IREC. Additional guidance for teams entered in the competition is contained in the IREC Design, Test, & Evaluation Guide (DTEG).
2026 IREC Rules & Requirements Document v1.0
Last Updated: April 29, 2026 by jem
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This document defines the minimum design, test, and evaluation criteria which the event organizers expect college and university student teams participating in the IREC to uphold. ESRA use these criteria to ensure a very high level of flight safety. Departures from the guidance this document provides may negatively impact an offending team’s flight status depending on the degree of severity. This document supplements the foundational, qualifying criteria for the IREC contained in the IREC Rules & Requirement Document.
2026 IREC DTEG V1.1 (Design, Test and Evaluation Guide) - REDLINES
2026 IREC DTEG V1.1 (Design, Test and Evaluation Guide)
2026 Frequency Student Band Plan Rev D 041426
Last Updated: February 26, 2026 by jem
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This document defines the overarching rules governing launch and launch site activities, most notably all IREC launch operations.
2025 IREC Range Standard Operating Procedures
Last Updated: April 23, 2024, by acb
Forms & Templates
Forms & Templates
SDL Forms
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SDL is excited to be involved with the IREC, focusing on the payload portion of the competition. After all, there’s no reason to launch a rocket unless there’s a payload! SDL is offering prizes to teams that produce meaningful payloads.
2026 IREC SDL Payload Challenge Rules and Information
Last Updated: Nov 4, 2025 by jem
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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
IREC Media Forms
IREC Templates
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Please use the following Word Document as a fillable template for the 2027 IREC Team Application.
2027 IREC Team Application Template
Updated: October 5, 2026 by Jessica McCarty
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See below the printouts for the 2027 Design Reviews. These reviews are intended to help progress and prepare teams prepare for the Design Review
Preliminary Design Review
Critical Design Review
NOTE: Please note that this is only a template and the actual form may be slightly different due to formatting
Last Updated: September 20, 2026 By Mohi Khan
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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 the provided document template. These files are to be submitted in pdf format.
IREC Project Technical Report Template 2027
Last Updated: September 20, 2027 by Mohi Khan
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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 the provided document template. The file should be submitted as a pdf format.
IREC Extended Abstract Template 2027
Last Updated: September 20, 2027 by Mohi Khan
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Each team shall have the academic institution(s) in which its members are enrolled provide a signed letter on the school’s letter head 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.
Sample of an IREC School Participation Letter
Last Updated: September 20, 2027 by Mohi Khan
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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: September 20, 2026 By Mohi Khan
IREC Sample Launch Forms
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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
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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
Policy Documents
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No student, sponsor, or spectator drones will be permitted to be operate at any site associated with the IREC. Please review the ESRA Official UAS (Drone) Policy and email media@esrarocket.org with any questions or concerns.
Updated: May 6, 2026 jem
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The Experimental Sounding Rocket Association can provide this letter to organizations financially supporting IREC teams, to explain and define the fee structure for the competition. Three separate fees make up the entire “IREC Registration Fee”. These are the Entry Fee, the Rocket Fee, and the Rocketeer Fee.
2027 IREC Competition Fees Overview
Last Updated: Sept 1, 2026 by jem
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Team Roster CSV Template for the 2027 IREC Application.
Please download the file and edit
IREC Guides
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IREC Contestant Solids Pad Operations Guide
Last Updated: June 7, 2025
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This document provides students, sponsors and volunteers with a highly recommended style of clothing for dealing with the harsh environment for our event.
Clothing Recommendations for the IREC
Last Updated: March 26, 2025 by Mohi Khan
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Instructions for shipping team equipment to Midland.
Last Updated: May 28, 2026 by acb
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This document provides shipping guidance and instructions for 2026, contact information for Flagship Forwarding, deadlines for specific activities, and a Shipment Declaration Form.
IREC International Shipping Guidance and Instructions for 2026
Last updated: 25 March 2026 tmy
Training & Resrouces
Training and Resources
Training Courses for IREC Rocketeers
Training Courses For ESRA Volunteers
Technical Documents
External Resources
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Everything you need to design simulate and fly better rockets.
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Solid Propellant Internal Simulation Research Rocket Motor Design Software
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RocketPy is an innovative rocket trajectory that includes features never seen before in state-of-the-art rocket trajectory simulators.
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RASAero Rogers Aerospace Aerodynamic Analysis and Flight Simulation Software
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The following list of possible mentors will be updated regularly. Please contact the mentor that interests your directly.
2027 IREC List of Possible Mentors (Coming Soon)
Updated: October 5, 2026 by Jessica McCarty
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Tripoli is a non-profit organization dedicated to education, advancement, and safe operation of armature high powered rocketry.
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The National Association for Amateur Radio -International Armature Radio Operation Permit Application
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Online forum for the rocketry enthusiast
Branding
Branding
Please note that when using ESRA and IREC branding this is for personal use on team paraphernalia, posters, etc. It is not intended to be used for mass distribution of materials without written consent from ESRA staff. Please email general.info@esrarocket.org with any questions regarding the use of ESRA and IREC branding.
2026 IREC Patch
The 2026 IREC Mission Patch is brought to you by Anthony Le Jeune of University College London - Team 60.
"When designing this patch, I aimed to reflect the natural and industrial beauty that make Midland, Texas distinct. Ranching remains central to West Texas, yet the work behind it is often overlooked. To recognize that effort and its importance, I chose to represent cattle alongside a pumpjack. Together, they reflect industries that help feed and power people far beyond the region.
I also wanted the patch to reflect American pride. The rocket revealing the American flag is meant as an unveiling, a reminder that Texas’ grit is part of the broader American dream.
Finally, I included two recurring Easter eggs from past IREC patches. The number of stars corresponds to the 19th edition of IREC, and the armadillo from last year’s mission patch is subtly hidden in the cloud. My hope is that the longer someone looks at the patch, the more meaning they uncover and the more they appreciate what Midland has to offer."
ESRA Insignia
Think our insignia looks pretty cool? Want a high quality version of it to display on things? Please feel free to download this full resolution file and use it as you see fit - for promotion, to decorate your rocket, etc... Have fun!
IREC Logo
Please feel free to download this full resolution file and use it as you see fit - for promotion, to decorate your rocket, etc.
Coin Logos
Color Branding
