Cornell Rocketry is an engineering project team dedicated to learning about how to design, assemble, and launch rockets.
Each year, the team participates in the NASA Student Launch competition, which typically involves launching a high-powered rocket to a certain altitude with a specific payload. Since the specifications for the rockets are dynamic, the team focuses on building an extensive skill set, which involves the use of materials such as hazard detection cameras to thermal coatings. The team continually grant
05/05/2026
Successful Wet Dress Rehearsal! 💨
On April 26th, members of our team successfully conducted a wet dress rehearsal for Valkyrie, validating our onboard fluid systems, ground support systems, on-the-pad commanding, and data acquisition. Over the course of 3 coldflow tests, we simulated our fill-to-fire procedure, and demonstrated that our propulsion system is ready to fly. Next up: IREC 2026! 🚀
Every second, every angle 📸
Get ready for our next L3 flight this weekend!
04/21/2026
L3 LAUNCH 🚀🔥🪂
Last week, we visited Penn Yan, NY to launch our L3 testbed rocket with brand new recovery and payload systems onboard. The COTS solid rocket housed 4 parachutes as part of a new recovery design and this year’s payload: a 360 degree camera that is levered out the side of the rocket to capture ascent, descent, and chute deployment. This launch was meant to provide data on how the systems above perform in flight and provide us with more information about recovery.
The results? A huge success. Payload successfully recorded every angle from start to finish with an extra camera onboard, we recorded useful altimeter data, the parachutes deployed as expected, and the rocket was recovered with no damage.
Be on the lookout for another L3 launch as we approach the end of this semester that may include this year’s brand new Avionics Bay and Airbrakes system as well as the ones mentioned above. All of this is ahead of the International Rocketry Engineering Competition in June, where we hope to fly this year’s brand new rocket, Valkyrie.
Stay tuned! 🚀🥳📸
03/12/2026
Today is Giving Day! 🚀 Help Cornell Rocketry reach our goal $5,000 goal to support the design, manufacturing, and testing of our competition rocket.
Meet our team leads, Airan and Claire, as they introduce Valkyrie our 2026 IREC competition.
Donate now at the link in bio 🔗
03/11/2026
ONE MORE DAY UNTIL GIVING DAY!
Meet Stanley and Jack as they break down the different components of the AV Bay!
Help us continue building and flying by supporting Cornell Rocketry tomorrow, March 12, at the link in bio 🚀
03/10/2026
Come into the machine shop as Ayanna and Deepti machine the run tank and bulkheads for our rocket's propulsion system!
Support Cornell Rocketry on March 12, link in bio 🚀
03/09/2026
Meet Amira, who gives a look at the flight software that helps our rocket communicate and operate in flight!
Support Cornell Rocketry on March 12, link in bio 🚀
03/08/2026
Take a look inside a Recovery and Payload work session as Isaac highlights the team's BLiMS system, designed to support the safe recovery of our rocket!
Support Cornell Rocketry on March 12, link in bio 🔗
03/07/2026
Meet Apollo and Claire as they walk through the process of a carbon fiber fin layup 🙌
Fin manufacturing is just one of the many projects Structures has been working on as we prepare for our 2026 competition rocket and upcoming test launch.
Help us continue building and flying by supporting Cornell Rocketry on March 12, link in bio! 🚀