Solid-Fuel Rocketry + CAD Design
Design, build and fly a compliant solid-propellant model rocket optimized for maximum altitude while maintaining stability and reliable recovery.
- Eligibility
- Currently enrolled college or university students
- Date
- 5 October 2026
- Location
- Haldwani, Uttarakhand
- Team size
- 1–5 participants per team
- Mode
- On-site launch
- Registration fee
- ₹2,500
About
The Solid Fuel Rocketry Challenge is a college-level engineering competition conducted as part of World Space Week 2026. Teams must design, build and fly a compliant solid-propellant model rocket while demonstrating aerodynamic stability, structural engineering, reliable recovery and technical documentation.
The challenge
Can you engineer a rocket that flies higher, flies straighter and comes back safely? Teams must develop a solid-fuel model rocket optimized for maximum vertical altitude while maintaining stable powered ascent and successfully executing its recovery sequence.
What you need to do
Design a compliant rocket, optimize it for stable high-altitude flight, integrate a parachute or streamer recovery system, prepare technical documentation and clear the mandatory technical and safety inspection before launch.
How you are evaluated
- Height
- Aerodynamic stability
- Recovery performance
- Rocket engineering
- Technical documentation
- Safety compliance
Technical specifications
| Rocket diameter | 40–100 mm |
|---|---|
| Rocket length | 50–100 cm |
| Maximum solid propellant | 500 g per rocket |
| Recommended launch weight | 900–1300 g |
| Body materials | PVC, cardboard, kraft paper tube or 3D-printed plastic |
| Metal body/casing | Not permitted |
| Launch guide | Minimum 10 cm using PVC, ½–1 inch diameter |
| Recovery | Parachute or streamer mandatory |
| Stability | Appropriate CG, CP and COM considerations required |
| Propulsion | Organizer-approved propulsive units only |
Key rules and safety
- Maximum solid propellant is 500 g per rocket.
- Only organizer-approved propulsive units may be used.
- Metal rocket bodies or casings are prohibited.
- Rockets should arrive at the launch site already assembled.
- Participants must not manufacture, mix, cook, cast, load, modify or prepare propellant at the competition site.
- Damaged, leaking, altered or unsafe propulsive units may be removed from the launch process.
- Manual ignition using a matchstick or fuse is strictly prohibited.
- Launches may only use the approved wireless/electric remote ignition system.
- Only the designated launch authority may authorize ignition.
- All spectators and non-essential personnel must remain outside the designated exclusion zone.
- Every rocket must have a parachute or streamer recovery system.
- A rocket without the required recovery system will not be cleared for launch.
- Launches may be postponed or stopped because of unsafe weather, visibility, wind, lightning or site conditions.
- No participant may approach a failed or abnormal launch until authorized safety personnel declare the area safe.
- Teams must comply with all technical inspection and range-safety requirements.
This is a summary. The official guidelines document is the binding version and takes precedence in all cases.