International Rocket Engineering Competition (IREC)
The annual International Rocket Engineering Competition (IREC) is an incredible opportunity to share your knowledge and experience by becoming a Mentor or a Flyer of Record (FoR) for the brightest minds in the field. If you are unfamiliar with this incredible competition, you can find more information on the
IREC website.
Why Mentor for IREC?
Over 2,000 students and faculty members from more than 150 institutions worldwide will converge for this prestigious event. It's a unique blend of academic conference and design-build-fly competition that offers something for everyone in the aerospace industry. ESRA encourages teams to identify Mentors who can meaningfully support their success. For Mentors, it’s an opportunity to have fun, and to give back.
How Can You Help?
Student teams from around the globe are preparing for IREC. These talented teams are building and launching Cert Level 3 rockets, but they need the assistance of Mentors and FoRs like you. The process will be a little different for 2027 than in past years:
- Teams must identify and list their Mentors in their IREC Application (due October 23, 2026). Mentors are individuals who can provide guidance in the specific areas where the team needs project support. Teams need your help right now!
- Teams must also find FoRs, but they are not required to identify a FoR until around the end of the year.
What Does a Mentor Do?
A Mentor works closely with the team from project inception through the design, build and testing phases. Mentors assist in activities such as appropriate scoping of the project, designing & building the rocket & supporting systems, and preparation of progress reports, and mentors promote safety through the competition cycle. Many teams need critical assistance in areas not directly related to the rocket such as fundraising, scheduling & project management techniques, vendor identification & university procurement hurdles, team member recruiting, social media, obtaining visas, etc. Mentors are not required to be members of the Tripoli Rocketry Association or the National Association of Rocketry. They do not need to be certified, and they are not obligated to attend the competition. Their job is to assist the teams in a variety of ways, starting immediately.
What does a Flyer of Record (FoR) do?
The job of the FoR is to serve as the Flyer of Record at the launch and help to ensure that the Team’s activities are performed safely. The FoR must review progress reports and attend review sessions for the purpose of gaining confidence that the flight will be safe (such that they will be willing to sign the Flight Card). Then, they attend the launch and assist the team to safely launch the rocket. In contrast to Mentors, FoRs
must be Tripoli members who are certified to the level of the flight (these are mostly L3 flights, but some are L2), and they must be able to attend the launch, which is
scheduled for June 14-19, 2027. A FoR can also support the team at test launches, but this is not mandatory. Teams must identify their FoR by the end of the year, and the Team and FoR should discuss compensation for travel-related expenses at that time. Note that Mentors can also serve as the FoR if they are qualified and willing to do so.
More information about Senior Mentors and Flyer of Record
Ready to Make a Difference?
Your expertise could be the catalyst that propels talented students to new heights. Join us in shaping the future of aerospace and fostering the next generation of space innovators at the IREC. You may already be serving as a Mentor or FoR for an IREC team, but if you are willing to take on this role for additional teams that you are not currently working with, please use the link below to sign up. Your information will be made available to teams, and they will contact you if they would like your assistance.
Become a Mentor or FoR