Expanding the Frontier of Experimental Aerospace Education
Explore Our VisionESRA's 2030 vision is to become the premier organization for experimental rocketry education and competition, with a dedicated facility that serves as both a spaceport and a year-round educational center.
By establishing ESRA's permanent launch facility, we will create a permanent home for our competitions, workshops, and research initiatives, allowing us to expand our impact and reach more students than ever before.
Transform into an industry and academic membership organization with year-round engagement.
Create educational and research-focused events to complement our flagship competition.
Develop a liquids competition and team planting grants to grow collegiate rocketry.
Inspire the next generation through K-12 programs and educational resources.
Build financial sustainability to hire staff and support expanded operations.
ESRA is proud to announce our strategic initiative to establish a permanent home for the Intercollegiate Rocket Engineering Competition (IREC) at our dedicated launch facility. This ambitious project will create a dedicated spaceport facility tailored to collegiate rocketry needs.
Multiple launch pads designed specifically for solid and liquid propulsion systems, with reinforced infrastructure for high-power rocketry.
Collaboration with universities and local educational institutions to create year-round research opportunities.
Our permanent launch facility offers ideal geography, weather conditions, and accessibility for teams traveling from across North America.
Beyond IREC, the facility will host smaller competitions, testing opportunities, and educational programs throughout the year.
Land acquisition and preliminary site development
Infrastructure construction and initial launch pad completion
Grand opening and first IREC competition at ESRA's Permanent Launch Facility
Expansion of facilities to include research labs and year-round operations
Our permanent facility represents more than just infrastructure—it's a strategic investment in the future of experimental rocketry education. By transitioning from temporary tent structures to purpose-built facilities, we're creating a sustainable foundation that will serve generations of aerospace innovators.
Complete facility infrastructure for year-round operations
Core facility infrastructure: $2,350,000 (excluding horizontal test facility)
Building structure investment fully recovered by Year 14, with ongoing annual savings of $190K+
Includes horizontal test facility and all infrastructure components
Complete facility investment fully recovered by Year 22
Lease dedicated space to aerospace startups, testing companies, educational institutions, and research organizations. Our facility offers specialized infrastructure perfect for rocket development, testing, and training programs.
Host corporate events, educational workshops, and industry conferences during off-season months
Facilitate rocket launches for film productions, documentaries, and educational tourism
This isn't just about building structures—it's about building the future of experimental rocketry. Every dollar invested in our permanent facility creates exponential returns in education, innovation, and industry advancement.
Our flagship event bringing together the brightest minds in collegiate rocketry.
University students from around the world
Annual competition
Pushing the boundaries of collegiate liquid propulsion systems.
Advanced university teams with liquid engines
Annual or biannual
Pilot in 2026
Push high-thrust liquid propulsion development in academia; parallel to IREC but more advanced
Separate or adjacent venue with reinforced pads
High safety scrutiny
Tech judges from industry
Budget: $50K–75K annually
Advancing experimental rocketry through academic research and collaboration.
Grad students, professors, aerospace researchers
Annual
Pilot in 2026
Create peer-reviewed research venue adjacent to IREC, focused on experimental rocketry and propulsion
1–3 days
Venue partner (university)
Call for papers, reviewers, proceedings platform
Budget: $25K/year
Audience: Industry leaders, sponsors, students, startup innovators
Frequency: Annual (adjacent to IREC)
Start Year: 2026
Goals: Provide a B2B and B2C industry hub, networking, recruiting, innovation sharing
Requirements:
Revenue Potential: Sponsor packages and booths can break even or generate profit
Grants: $2500 per university
Start Year: 2025
Goal: Help 15–20 new schools per year start rocketry teams
Requirements:
Milestones:
Grants: $500 per school
Goal: Sponsor 20–30 schools/year
Curriculum Development: NGSS-aligned intro rocketry modules
Requirements:
Milestones:
To support our expanded programs and ESRA's permanent launch facility initiative, ESRA aims to raise $5 million by 2030 through corporate sponsorships, grants, and individual donations.
Source | Target Amount |
---|---|
Corporate Sponsorships | $1.5M |
Endowment Contributions | $1M |
Government & Educational Grants | $250K |
Event Revenue | $150K |
Individual Donations | $100K |
Category | Annual Cost |
---|---|
Executive Director (Full Time) | $120K |
Event Coordinator/Admin (Part Time) | $40K |
IREC Operations | $350K |
Other Events | $50K |
Grants to Schools and Colleges | $50K |
Marketing / Communications | $20K |
Travel / Outreach | $20K |
Misc Reserve / Legal / Insurance | $20K |
Total Annual Budget | $670K |
$5K–$50K/year
$500–$2500/year
$250/year
Whether you're an aerospace company looking to connect with top talent, a university interested in expanding your rocketry program, or an individual passionate about experimental rocketry, we want to hear from you.
media@esrarocket.org
ESRA Headquarters
839 Centennial Way, Suite 220
Lansing, MI 48917
501(c)(3) EIN: 61-1449397