PSP IREC competes annually at the International Rocket Engineering Competition in Texas
PSP IREC, previously known as PSP Spaceport and PSP Solids, is dedicated to manufacturing and launching a completely “Student Researched And Designed” (SRAD) rocket. The team competes annually at the International Rocket Engineering Competition in Texas, the largest collegiate rocketry competition in the world. Having placed 2nd in the 10k SRAD category in 2025, PSP IREC is looking to build on past accomplishments and failures.
CURRENT PROJECTS
Mission Result: 2nd place in 10k SRAD category
Design Phase: August 2024 – February 2025
Apogee: 11,182 ft
Motor: “bia” – 98mm M-class SRAD solid propellant motor
Airframe: 6′ Fiberglass tube
Top Speed: 928.4 ft/s
Payload: Experimental plant-based epoxy
PAST PROJECTS
- Midas (2023-2024)
- Prometheus (2022-2023)
- Icarus Re-Launch (Fall 2022)
- Frankenstein (Fall 2022)
- Icarus (2021-2022)
Midas (2023-2024)
Mission Result: Successful launch but unsuccessful recovery – 13th place in overall competition.
Design Phase: August 2023 – February 2024
Apogee: 10,058 ft
Motor: Loki M3000 COTS Solid Propellant Motor
Airframe: 4” – 6″ Fiberglass transition
Top Speed: 1,013 ft/s
Payload: Experimental CubeSat
Prometheus (2022-2023)
Mission Result: Successful launch and recovery – 10th place in overall competition.
Design Phase: August 2022 – January 2023
Apogee: 10,327 ft
Motor: SRAD N-Class Solid Propellant Motor
Airframe: 4” Fiberglass
Top Speed: 839 ft/s
Payload: Refrigeration System
Icarus Re-Launch (Fall 2022)
Mission Result: Successful Launch and Recovery
Design Phase: August 2022 – November 2022
Apogee: 11,200 ft
Motor: Aerotech M2500
Airframe: 5” Fiberglass
Top Speed: 1154 ft/s
Purpose: To verify our previous design and test new components.
Frankenstein (Fall 2022)
Mission Result: Successful Launch and Recovery
Design Phase: August 2022 – November 2022
Apogee: 6,000 ft
Motor: Aerotech L2500
Airframe: 6” Blue Tube
Top Speed: 1024 ft/s
Purpose: To provide experience to new team members.
Icarus (2021-2022)
Mission Result: CATO due to COTS motor malfunction
Design Phase: December 2021 – April 2022
Apogee: N/A
Motor: Aerotech M2500
Airframe: 5” Fiberglass
Top Speed: N/A
Payload: Onboard dual-camera video transmission
SUBTEAMS
Structures
The PSP IREC Structures team designs and tests student-built rocket components. This team is focused on the research and design of the airframe, fins, and nose cone. This year, they developed an in-house winder to create an SRAD fiberglass airframe for competition next year.
Avionics & Recovery
The Avionics and Recovery Team dedicates its time to the programming, fabrication, and design of all flight computers and sensor components in addition to the testing of rocket recovery systems. They work closely with the other teams to integrate all data necessary for a successful flight. This year, they will be designing and testing their own flight computer as well.
Aerodynamics
The Aerodynamics Team is focused on developing an experimental nose cone concept and evaluating its effects on the performance of the rocket. Furthermore, they are concerned with the analysis of the overall aerodynamic capability of the project.
Payload
The Payload Team’s main objective is to design a payload to meet all of the competition requirements. This year, the payload team is developing an innovative experimental payload system.
Manufacturing
The PSP IREC Manufacturing team works closely with the Structures team to fabricate SRAD components, as well as provide consulting on the manufacturing feasibility of prospective components for all subteams. In 2025, they were able to successfully manufacture a fiberglass nosecone, carbon fiber fins, aluminum bulk plates, aluminum & 3D printed payload bay, and aluminum motor retention system at the Bechtel Innovation and Design Center on Purdue’s own campus.
Propulsion
The Propulsion Team is dedicated to the research and design of a solid propellant rocket motor. The team is formulating their own propellant and using the facilities at Zucrow Labs to validate their concept.
