American Rocketry Challenge

The American Rocketry Challenge is a school-year aerospace engineering program in which teams design, build, and flight-test a model rocket against an annually changing mission. For 2026, the rocket carried one raw Grade A large egg weighing 55–63 grams, targeted 750 feet, and had to return in 36–39 seconds. The top 100 qualifying teams advanced to the May 16, 2026 National Finals at Great Meadow in The Plains, Virginia. The 2026 prize pool exceeded $100,000; first place earned $20,000 for the team and $1,000 for its school.