UC Irvine Rocket Project Liquids 2025-26
In 2023, we successfully launched UC Irvine’s first liquid-fueled rocket. Now, our Rocket Project Liquids Team is determined to break the collegiate methalox altitude record at 13,250ft by the end of spring! This accomplishment would place us among a select group of university teams to successfully develop methalox propulsion. We see this as our biggest challenge yet – and an opportunity to demonstrate what student engineers can achieve while securing a major milestone for UC Irvine.
PTR Launch: Our first liquid methalox rocket that launched in 2023 and reached an altitude of 9,100 ft
Who Are We
Founded in 2005, the UC Irvine Rocket Project began as a small group of engineering students passionate about rocketry –launching high-power solid rockets and bringing their creations to the skies. After a decade of experimental designs, the project shifted its trajectory towards a higher goal and joined the collegiate race to space as part of the Base11 Space Challenge. Since the debut of the Base 11 UC Irvine Rocketry Lab in 2018, the UC Irvine Rocket Project Liquids team has grown to include over 30 undergraduates and a legacy of alumni who are now at the forefront of aerospace innovation.
Why Methalox? Fueling the Future of Space Travel
In the pursuit of deep-space exploration and the dream of becoming a multiplanetary species, methalox – the combination of liquid methane and liquid oxygen – has emerged as a game-changing propellant. Now an industry standard, methalox burns cleaner than traditional fuel and can be manufactured on Mars. Its relevance is underscored by the ambitions of industry leaders such as SpaceX, whose Raptor engine powers the Starship – a vehicle designed not only to launch payloads into orbit but also to carry humans to Mars.
The Methalox Challenge: Pushing the Boundaries of Safety and Innovation
Cold Flow 19, one of many tests we run to validate our rocket's feed system before progressing to vertical test fires in the Mojave Desert.
Working with methalox is both groundbreaking and inherently perilous. Being cryogenic, the fuels demand storage and handling at extremely low temperatures – conditions under which materials can become unexpectedly brittle, and even minor leaks can escalate into major hazards. These challenges require not only technical precision but also specialized safety equipment and rigorous protocols to ensure that every test and launch is as safe as possible.
This is where your support becomes even more vital. While we have made significant progress in our design and testing phases, our current safety equipment – though reliable – is operating at its limits. Additional funds will enable us to invest in state-of-the-art cryogenic safety gear, advanced leak-detection systems and upgraded containment facilities. These enhancements are essential for maintaining the rapid pace required to break records and meet our ambitious goals without compromising the safety of our team.
Over the past year, we have finalized designs, begun constructing our launch vehicle, refined our avionics and validated our propulsion system through multiple cold flow tests under cryogenic conditions. We are currently preparing for additional hot fire tests in order to launch the second liquid rocket, MOCH4, by the end of spring 2026. Each of these steps – from advanced cryogenic handling protocols to intricate instrumentation upgrades – depends on you!
Your support is the key to unlocking our future successes. When you donate to the UC Irvine Rocket Project Liquids Team, you are not just helping us secure aerostructure or engine parts; you are directly funding essential safety measures and research opportunities that empower a new generation of engineers. You are ensuring that we can safely harness the immense power of methalox.
2025-26 Rocket Project Liquids Team photo
We invite you to join us on this incredible journey. Every donation, no matter the amount, will directly contribute to the launch of our next rocket. Thank you for believing in our mission and investing in our students' safety, progress and limitless potential.
Connect With Us
Check out our website, follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn or reach out to us directly via email at ucirocketprojectteam@gmail.com.
$25
Troposphere
Your generosity helps fund our day-to-day operations – from essential safety equipment to new tools. You keep our mission on track.
$50
Stratosphere
Your donation helps advance our solid rocket recovery tests, generating crucial data to ensure our recovery system’s success.
$150
Mesosphere
Your gift helps support our manufacturing, transforming digital designs into tangible components that propel our project forward.
$500
Thermosphere
Your contribution helps power large-scale cryogenic testing to perfect our methalox propulsion system, ensuring both safety and innovation. To show our thanks, we will give you a personal shoutout in our recap video and an invitation to a launch event!
$1,000
Exosphere
Your generous gift helps enable the manufacture and development of critical components – from our engine to our nose cone – pushing our project to new heights. To show our thanks, we would love to display your name prominently on the rocket, feature you on our social media and invite you to a launch event!
