AEM Events
Space Grant Midwest High-Power Rocketry Competition
Saturday, May 16, 2026, 5 p.m. through Sunday, May 17, 2026, 4 p.m.
Day 1: Akerman Hall
The Minnesota Space Grant is hosting both a Rocketry Competition and a Rocketry Challenge on the weekend of May 16-17, 2026.
Saturday, May 16:
The first day runs from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Akerman Hall at the University of Minnesota (110 SE Union St, Minneapolis), with safety checks and competition team oral presentations to judges
Sunday, May 17:
The event’s second day runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a rocket fly-off at the Tripoli Minnesota high-power rocketry club launch site just outside of North Branch.
The Rocketry Competition teams are from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Macalester College, Bethel University, Augsburg University, and Normandale Community College, as well as teams from Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, Maryland, North Dakota, Ohio, Louisiana, Tennessee, and one team from overseas.
The Rocketry Challenge teams are from Century (Community) College, Anoka-Ramsey Community College, Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College, St. Johns University and the College of St. Benedict, Minnesota State Moorhead, Gustavus Adolphus College, and University of Minnesota Morris. (The Rocketry Challenge is for newer, less-experienced student teams.)
Spectators are welcome. More details about this year's challenge are posted at: https://www.mnspacegrant.org/high-power-rocketry-competition-set-for-may-16-17-2026/