ESRA 2030

Strategic Growth Plan

Expanding the Frontier of Experimental Aerospace Education

Explore Our Vision

Our Vision

Expanding Horizons

Building the next generation of aerospace leaders through hands-on experience and educational excellence.

ESRA'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.

High-Level Goals (2025–2030)

Establish ESRA as a Year-Round Organization

Transform into an industry and academic membership organization with year-round engagement.

Launch New Events

Create educational and research-focused events to complement our flagship competition.

Expand Collegiate Initiatives

Develop a liquids competition and team planting grants to grow collegiate rocketry.

Early Education Outreach

Inspire the next generation through K-12 programs and educational resources.

Secure $3M in Funding

Build financial sustainability to hire staff and support expanded operations.

Strategic Timeline

2025

Foundation Building

  • Membership framework development
  • Launch K-12 grants program
  • Begin collegiate team planting grants
  • Initiate major fundraising campaign
2026

Program Expansion

  • Pilot academic research conference
  • Pilot liquids competition with 5-10 teams
  • Hire Executive Director
  • Host 1-day "Aerospace Careers & Innovation Expo"
2027

Organizational Growth

  • Full launch of Experimental Rocketry Research Conference (ERRC)
  • Establish IREC Industry Forum
  • Hire part-time Event Coordinator
  • Hold first annual Member Summit
  • Inaugural IREC at ESRA's Permanent Launch Facility
2028

Scaling Programs

  • Scale early education and collegiate grants
  • Expand membership base
  • Rotate ERRC hosting among university members
  • Publish ESRA Technical Reports
2029

National Recognition

  • Develop new competition formats
  • Reach 200+ member institutions
  • Achieve national recognition in aerospace education
  • Expand ESRA curriculum kits
2030

Vision Realized

  • Fully operational multi-program organization
  • $3M+ raised with sustainable funding model
  • National leader in experimental rocketry education
  • Comprehensive membership benefits program

ESRA's Permanent Launch Facility Initiative

ESRA's Permanent Launch Facility Location

A Permanent Home for IREC by 2027

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.

Purpose-Built Launch Facilities

Multiple launch pads designed specifically for solid and liquid propulsion systems, with reinforced infrastructure for high-power rocketry.

Academic Partnership

Collaboration with universities and local educational institutions to create year-round research opportunities.

Strategic Location

Our permanent launch facility offers ideal geography, weather conditions, and accessibility for teams traveling from across North America.

Year-Round Operations

Beyond IREC, the facility will host smaller competitions, testing opportunities, and educational programs throughout the year.

Development Timeline

2025

Land acquisition and preliminary site development

2026

Infrastructure construction and initial launch pad completion

2027

Grand opening and first IREC competition at ESRA's Permanent Launch Facility

2028+

Expansion of facilities to include research labs and year-round operations

Support the Spaceport Initiative

Investing in Our Future

Building Tomorrow's Launch Complex Today

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.

Permanent Infrastructure

Complete facility infrastructure for year-round operations

Building Structures (3 Buildings) $750,000
Building Installation $400,000
Concrete Foundation (64,000 sq ft) $1,200,000
HVAC Systems (3x 20,000 sq ft coverage) $450,000
Power Infrastructure $200,000
Fiber Internet $350,000
Septic System $75,000
Roads & Access $100,000
Horizontal Test Facility $250,000
Total Infrastructure Investment $3,825,000

Current Reality

Annual Tent Rentals $100,000
Setup/Teardown $25,000
Weather Risk $50,000
Annual Total $175,000

Permanent Solution

Initial Investment $3,825,000
Annual Maintenance $25,000
Revenue Generation -$40,000
Net Annual Cost -$15,000

Building Structure Investment Payback Timeline

Core facility infrastructure: $2,350,000 (excluding horizontal test facility)

Year 1
$175K saved
Year 2
$350K saved
Year 3
$525K saved
Year 4
$700K saved
Year 5
$875K saved
Year 6
$1,050K saved
Year 7
$1,225K saved
Year 8
$1,400K saved
Year 9
$1,575K saved
Year 10
$1,750K saved
Year 11
$1,925K saved
Year 12
$2,100K saved
Year 13
$2,275K saved
Year 14
$2,350K saved

Building structure investment fully recovered by Year 14, with ongoing annual savings of $190K+

Complete Facility Investment: $3,825,000

Includes horizontal test facility and all infrastructure components

Year 1
$175K saved
Year 2
$350K saved
Year 3
$525K saved
Year 4
$700K saved
Year 5
$875K saved
Year 6
$1,050K saved
Year 7
$1,225K saved
Year 8
$1,400K saved
Year 9
$1,575K saved
Year 10
$1,750K saved
Year 11
$1,925K saved
Year 12
$2,100K saved
Year 13
$2,275K saved
Year 14
$2,450K saved
Year 15
$2,625K saved
Year 16
$2,800K saved
Year 17
$2,975K saved
Year 18
$3,150K saved
Year 19
$3,325K saved
Year 20
$3,500K saved
Year 21
$3,675K saved
Year 22
$3,825K saved

Complete facility investment fully recovered by Year 22

Commercial Revenue Opportunities

Commercial Tenants

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.

$150K /year
Year-Round Events

Host corporate events, educational workshops, and industry conferences during off-season months

$50K /year
Media & Tourism

Facilitate rocket launches for film productions, documentaries, and educational tourism

$25K /year
Commercial Tenant Opportunities
Aerospace Startups
Testing Companies
Educational Institutions
Research Organizations
Manufacturing Companies
Training Programs

Join the Investment in Aerospace Education

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.

Support the Capital Campaign View Financial Details

Our Programs

Intercollegiate Rocket Engineering Competition

Our flagship event bringing together the brightest minds in collegiate rocketry.

Audience

University students from around the world

Frequency

Annual competition

150+ Teams
1000+ Students
$350K Annual Budget

IREC Budget Breakdown

Venue & Range Operations $120K
Safety & Technical Staff $75K
Equipment & Infrastructure $60K
Logistics & Transportation $40K
Volunteer Support $30K
Insurance & Permits $25K
IREC Competition

Liquids Propulsion Competition

Pushing the boundaries of collegiate liquid propulsion systems.

Audience

Advanced university teams with liquid engines

Frequency

Annual or biannual

Start Year

Pilot in 2026

Goals

Push high-thrust liquid propulsion development in academia; parallel to IREC but more advanced

Requirements

Separate or adjacent venue with reinforced pads

High safety scrutiny

Tech judges from industry

Budget: $50K–75K annually

Milestones

2026
Pilot with 5–10 teams
2027
Standalone competition or integrated week
2029+
Formal rulebook, safety cert program
Liquid Rocket Engine

Academic Research Conference – ERRC

Advancing experimental rocketry through academic research and collaboration.

Audience

Grad students, professors, aerospace researchers

Frequency

Annual

Start Year

Pilot in 2026

Goals

Create peer-reviewed research venue adjacent to IREC, focused on experimental rocketry and propulsion

Requirements

1–3 days

Venue partner (university)

Call for papers, reviewers, proceedings platform

Budget: $25K/year

Milestones

2026
1-day pilot event
2027
Expand to 2–3 days, proceedings published
2029+
Potential IEEE/AIAA indexing
Academic Conference

IREC Industry Forum / Careers & Innovation Expo

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:

  • 1-day venue, expo floor or outdoor tents
  • Keynote speakers, panel sessions
  • Employer booth packages
  • Budget: $25K/year

Revenue Potential: Sponsor packages and booths can break even or generate profit

Industry Forum

Collegiate Team Planting Program

Grants: $2500 per university

Start Year: 2025

Goal: Help 15–20 new schools per year start rocketry teams

Requirements:

  • Application portal
  • Mentorship match system
  • Budget: $30K/year (with matching in-kind tools/supplies from sponsors)

Milestones:

  • 2025: Launch pilot with 10 grants
  • 2027+: Expand, include summer training bootcamp
Collegiate Rocket Team

K–12 Rocket Grants and Outreach

Grants: $500 per school

Goal: Sponsor 20–30 schools/year

Curriculum Development: NGSS-aligned intro rocketry modules

Requirements:

  • Grant application/review platform
  • Volunteer mentors
  • Budget: $20K/year

Milestones:

  • 2025: Launch grant program and develop pilot curriculum
  • 2026–2028: Create ESRA STEM kits, partner with STEM nonprofits
K-12 Rocket Program

Financial Plan (2025–2030)

Fundraising Goal: $5M Over 5 Years

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.

Funding Sources

Source Target Amount
Corporate Sponsorships $1.5M
Endowment Contributions $1M
Government & Educational Grants $250K
Event Revenue $150K
Individual Donations $100K

Annual Operating Budget (2027)

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

Membership Tiers

Industry

$5K–$50K/year

  • Recruiting access
  • Brand visibility
  • Competition judging
  • Technical committee seats

Academic

$500–$2500/year

  • Research collaboration
  • Conference participation
  • Curriculum resources
  • Grant opportunities

Collegiate

$250/year

  • Competition discounts
  • Technical resources
  • Mentorship access
  • Industry connections

Join Our Mission

Get Involved with ESRA 2030

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

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