The Challenge

ADS is the proud organiser of the UK Youth Rocketry Challenge (UKROC) and has been running the event annually since 2006.

The challenge is aimed at students aged 11 – 18 from any secondary schools, colleges, educational facilities or youth groups to design, build and launch a model rocket with a fragile payload.

The rocket must reach a set altitude with specific total flight duration and must adhere to the specific set rules. The competition’s rules and scoring parameters change each year to challenge the students’ ingenuity and encourage a fresh approach to rocket design.

• 2023 Mission
• 2023 Rules
• Best practice Guide

After submitting your registration online there are three main stages of the competition;

• Regional Events,
• The National Final
• The International Final

Key Dates

• 24 February – Deadline for entries
• 20 April – Northern Ireland Regional
• 20 April – Scottish Regional
• 25 April – North Regional
• 27 April – South East Regional
• 29 April – South West Regional
• 17 May – National Final, Buckminster
• 22 & 23 June – International Final at Paris Airshow 2023

The Regional Events

In order to attend a Regional Event, you must register for the competition before the deadline date. You and your team can then attend a Regional Event nearest to you to 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 UK National Final.

The National Final

The 20 top scoring teams from the Regional Events will meet at our National Final in Buckminster, Grantham. Similar to the Regional Events, you and your team will launch your rocket and if you win, well then you can start packing your suitcase as you’ll be going to compete in the International Finals!