United States Senate certificate of Recognition presented to the Experimental Sounding Rocket Association for hosting the 2026 International Rocket Engineering Competition in Spaceport Midland, Texas from Senator Ted Cruz of Texas.

Midland & Saragossa, Texas — July 22, 2026 — The Experimental Sounding Rocket Association (ESRA) is proud to accept national recognition for our efforts in hosting the International Rocket Engineering Competition.

Since its establishment in 2006, IREC has grown from a small U.S. collegiate gathering into a global showcase of innovation, now welcoming over 180 teams from 22 countries across six continents. Participation continues to rise each year—pushing the boundaries of student rocketry, accelerating aerospace career pathways, and driving new engineering breakthroughs. In 2026, 196 teams applied, 143 arrived in Midland, and 125 successfully cleared for launch, underscoring the competition’s scale, rigor, and international momentum.

Thank you, again Ted Cruz for your kind words. You may watch the initial reading of Ted Cruz’s letter by ESRA President, Mr. Steve Taylor, during the 2026 International Rocket Engineering Competition’s opening ceremonies on the ESRA YouTube channel.

A text copy is available below.

Dear Friends,

It is a pleasure to join the Midland community and the Experimental Sounding Rocket Association in welcoming each of you to compete in the 2026 International Rocket Engineering Competition (IREC) at Spaceport Midland. Earning your place here reflects the discipline, creativity, and technical skill required to design, build, and fly a rocket at the highest collegiate level. Congratulations on this outstanding accomplishment.

At the core of every great engineer is the drive to ask “How can we push this further?” and “What can we build next?” When combined with teamwork, integrity, and a commitment to learning, those questions power the innovations that keep Texas and the United States on the front edge of aerospace advancement. That same spirit defines collegiate rocketry, where students turn ideas into real-world hardware, testing, and teamwork that strengthen the community behind events like the IREC and support the growth of our nation’s aerospace workforce and economy.

As each team steps forward at this year’s IREC, know that all of Texas is proud of you and your work. Your drive, your discipline, and the way you turn STEM curiosity into real-world engineering set you apart. I wish you every success and look forward to the milestones still ahead as you carry this knowledge into the workforce. My best wishes go to you and to all competitors as you advance the future of rocketry, supported by the partners and sponsors who make this event possible.

Sincerely,

Ted Cruz

United States Senator