About Us

Our History

Since its founding in 2016, the UVA Rocketry Team has been dedicated to providing students with invaluable hands-on experience in designing, building, and testing rockets. Initially focused primarily on research and development, the team has since expanded its scope to include participation in prestigious intercollegiate rocket competitions. One of our proudest achievements is competing in the Intercollegiate Rocketry Engineering Competition, the world’s largest rocketry competition, featuring over 150 collegiate teams launching vehicles to over 10,000 ft!

Beyond competition, we are committed to fostering the growth and development of our members. Our successful L1 Certification program equips students with high-powered rocketry certifications, opening doors to further opportunities in engineering. Additionally, our team continues to push the boundaries of rocket technology through ongoing research and development, particularly in the realm of hybrid rocket motors.

Fall 2016

UVA Rocketry Founded

Beginning as a small team focused on aerodynamic research and development, with a primary goal of improving nosecone and fin designs.

Fall 2016
Fall 2018

USRC SEDS 2018

In our debut competition, the team won 3rd place.

Fall 2018
Fall 2018 – Fall 2020

Solid Propulsion R&D

Our R&D team completed the initial design of a 38mm APCP solid rocket motor.

Fall 2018 – Fall 2020
Fall 2019 – Spring 2020

Battle of The Rockets 2020

The team secured 3rd place in the Deployable Payload Event.

Fall 2019 – Spring 2020
Fall 2020 – Spring 2022

Cardinal Liquid Propulsion R&D

Designed and started manufacturing of a kerolox engine and test stand.

Fall 2020 – Spring 2022
Spring 2023

Level 1 Certifications 2023

Ten members successfully obtained Tripoli L1 HPR Certifications.

Spring 2023
Fall 2022 – Spring 2023

Battle of the Rockets 2023

The team won 1st place in the Deployable Payload Event.

Fall 2022 – Spring 2023
Spring 2024

Level 1 Certifications 2024

Five more members achieved their Tripoli L1 HPR Certifications.

Spring 2024
April 2024

Sabre I Test Launch

Preparations for Spaceport America Cup: Our 10K COTS entry, Sabre I, achieved a successful test launch, reaching an apogee of 3200 feet.

April 2024
August 2023 – June 2024

Spaceport America Cup 2024

Our team attended the world’s largest intercollegiate rocketry competition in New Mexico. We placed 37th in the 10K COTS category and 60th overall—an impressive first-time performance.

August 2023 – June 2024
August 2024 – Current

Prometheus Hybrid Propulsion

Our research and development team is working on an N-class ABS/N2O hybrid motor. The plan is for the motor to undergo test fires in a few years, eventually to be used in an IREC competition rocket.

August 2024 – Current
August 2024 – Current

Intercollegiate Rocketry Engineering Competition 2025

Our competition team is now competing in the renamed IREC again, in the same 10K COTS category. We are working diligently to design, build, and test for this year’s competition.

August 2024 – Current
November 2025

Level 1 Certifications 2025

Our team got over 13 members certified with Tripoli L1 HPR Certifications, setting a new record for the team. We plan to return in spring to get even more members certified.

November 2025

Our Alumni

Ian Palmer (Former President) – Blue Origin

Gabriel Norris (Former President) – Rocket Lab

Timothy Mather (Former Vice President) – Pratt & Whitney

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