Spaceport America Cup 2017

The Spaceport America Cup brought to you by ESRA and Spaceport America is an intercollegiate engineering competition for rocket teams from all over the country and around the world. Student teams competing in the Spaceport America Cup Intercollegiate Rocket Engineering Competition must design, build, and launch a rocket carrying no less than 8.8 lb. of payload to a target apogee either 10,000 ft. or 30,000 ft. above ground level (AGL).

Projects will be divided into one of the following six categories based on the type of project attempted – defined by the target apogee and selected propulsion system.

1) 10,000 ft. AGL apogee with commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) solid or hybrid rocket propulsion system

2) 30,000 ft. AGL apogee with COTS solid or hybrid propulsion system

3) 10,000 ft. AGL apogee with student researched and developed (SRAD) solid rocket propulsion system

4) 30,000 ft. AGL apogee with SRAD solid rocket propulsion system

5) 10,000 ft. AGL apogee with SRAD hybrid or liquid rocket propulsion system

6) 30, 000 ft. AGL apogee with SRAD hybrid or liquid rocket propulsion system

Multistage launch vehicles and all chemical propulsion types (solid, liquid, and hybrid) are allowed.

Regardless of the category in which a project is entered, ESRA encourages student research and development (including modification of COTS components) of other systems, such as airframes, fins, nosecones, and parachutes. Efforts in this regard will be positively reflected in scoring – regardless of whether fabrication is performed by students directly, or by a third party working to student-supplied specifications.

Spaceport America Cup Schedule Highlights

Tuesday, June 20 – Open to the public with free admission 9:00am – 5:00pm.

Official opening of inaugural Spaceport America Cup with Conference Day, Podium, and Poster Sessions gives students, judges, recruiters, sponsors, the public, and media a chance to see all the projects. Las Cruces Convention Center located at 680 E University Ave, Las Cruces, NM 88001.

Wednesday, June 21 – The Spaceport America Vertical Launch Area (VLA) will be CLOSED to the public. 

Spaceport America Cup team photo out on the Gateway to Space apron. After rocketeers establish base camp in the VLA and begin preparing their rockets for flight. Judging panel continues evaluations.

Thursday, June 22 – Vertical Launch Area open to the public 7:30am – 20:00pm.

Launch activity begins in the VLA with spectator viewing. Judging panel continues. Space is limited please purchase spectator tickets in advance here: http://bit.ly/2q3KojF . Food and beverage available for purchase.

Friday, June 23 – Vertical Launch Area open to the public 7:30am – 18:00pm.

Launch activity continues within the VLA with spectator viewing. Judging panel continues evaluations. Space is limited please purchase spectator tickets in advance here: http://bit.ly/2q3KojF . Food and beverage available for purchase.

Saturday, June 24 – Vertical Launch Area open to the public 7:30am – 17:00pm.

Launch activity continues within the VLA with spectator viewing. Judging panel continues evaluations. The United Launch Alliance (ULA) Future Heavy Launch is scheduled for a 9:30am take-off! Space is limited please purchase spectator tickets in advance here: http://bit.ly/2q3KojF . Food and beverage available for purchase.

Spaceport America Cup Under the Stars Awards Banquet and closing ceremonies on the Gateway to Space apron at Spaceport America featuring Keynote Speaker Michael P. Moses, President, Virgin Galactic. This event is open to rocketeers, judges, volunteers, sponsors, recruiters, and media with advanced ticketing.