About UKROC
The UK Rocketry Challenge has been organised annually by ADS since 2006.
Registration for 2027 is now open
Current competition stage: Register for 2027Welcome to UKROC
A national challenge for tomorrow’s engineers
UKROC is an exciting, hands-on competition that promotes STEM, creativity, innovative thinking and essential life skills. Aimed at students aged 11–18 from secondary schools, colleges, educational institutions, or youth groups, the challenge invites teams to design, build and launch a model rocket carrying a fragile payload — two raw eggs!!
Each year, teams must meet a set of specific rules that change annually to inspire innovation and fresh design approaches. Rockets must reach a target altitude and flight duration while keeping the payload intact. Participating in UKROC boosts confidence and self-esteem, preparing the future workforce with practical skills.
Key dates for 2026
- 31 December 2026:
Registration deadline - 19 March 2027:
Scottish regional, Kinross - 22, 23 & 24 March 2027:
North regional, York - 25 March 2027:
Wales regional, Llanbedr - 12, 13 & 14 April 2027
South East regional, Essex - 16 April 2027:
Northern Ireland regional, Antrim - 17 & 18 April 2027
South West regional, Chippenham - 30 April 2027:
UK National Final, Buckminster - 17 & 18 June 2027:
International Final at Paris Air Show 2027**
**We ask teams to note that the International Final will be held at Paris Air Show 2027. If your team progresses to the National Final, we ask that you only take part if your team can attend the International Final in person if crowned UKROC champions. Accommodation & flights are covered by UKROC.
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The Regional Events
UKROC hosts nine regional events across the UK. At the regional events, your team will launch your rocket and record your qualifying flights. Your rocket launch will be scored by our rocketry experts.
The best scoring team from each Regional Event will automatically go through to the National Final.
The National Final
The 20 top scoring teams from across the UK will meet at our National Final in Buckminster, Grantham. Teams will launch their model rockets and present their logbook and learnings to the expert panel of judges. The winning team will go head-to-head against teams from USA, France and Japan at the International Final.
The International Final
In the final stage of the competition, the UK winning time will compete against teams from USA, Japan, Ukraine and France. Hosted at Paris Airshow 2027, teams will again launch their model rockets and present their logbook and learnings to the expert panel of judges. UKROC will fund the UK winning team to attend the Airshow.
Resources
UKROC 2027 Team Handbook
We know entering the UK Rocketry Challenge can feel a little daunting, particularly if you’re taking part for the first
UKROC 2027 Rocket Materials List
The UKROC 2027 Rocket Materials List outlines the materials that are permitted for use when designing and building your competition