IREC, held in Midland, Texas, United States, concluded with the 1.5 Adana Rocket Team taking second place. The team, made up of students studying mechanical, electrical and electronics, and computer engineering, represented Türkiye in the competition.
A total of 141 teams from 25 countries participated in the event, held from June 15 to 20. The 1.5 Adana Rocket Team finished second in the James Barrowman Flight Prediction Accuracy Award after predicting the target altitude with 99.92% accuracy.
They developed a reusable rocket
The students designed the rocket to conduct scientific measurements in specific layers of the atmosphere and carry experimental payloads to high altitudes. The team's work, including the project's electronics, software and manufacturing stages, was carried out with support from ROKETSAN, TÜBİTAK and Turkish Airlines.
After delivering its payload to the target altitude, the rocket uses a parachute to make a controlled descent to the ground. This design allows the vehicle to be reused.
The target is a TEKNOFEST championship
The team is continuing its manufacturing and testing work for the TEKNOFEST rocket competition, which will be held in Aksaray from September 7 to 14. Following its result in the United States, the students have intensified their preparations for the event.
Team captain Muhammed Mustafa Kemal Karaoğlu said winning an award among 141 teams in the United States was a source of pride. Karaoğlu said the result constituted an engineering award validating their analysis, manufacturing and design work.
Egemen Büyükaltay, a mechanical engineering student, said the rocket they designed reached an altitude of 10,000 feet in the competition. Büyükaltay said they wanted to win first place at TEKNOFEST after finishing second at IREC.
Berke Demirtaş said the team would participate in TEKNOFEST with two rockets and was aiming for the championship.
