About RRS
The Rensselaer Rocket Society is RPI's student-run high-power rocketry club. We design, build, and launch our own rockets, from a member's very first certification flight to advanced competition vehicles built for national competition.
What We Do
RRS operates through a few core programs.
New members typically start with our Level 1 Certification Program, working alongside experienced mentors to build and fly their first high-power rocket. From there, members can pursue Level 2 certification through our mentorship program, taking on more advanced builds and electronics.
Our most experienced members lead and contribute to our IREC team, designing and building a competition rocket for the Intercollegiate Rocket Engineering Competition, one of the largest collegiate rocketry competitions in the world.
Who We Are
RRS is run entirely by students, for students. Our Executive Board oversees club operations, safety, finances, and outreach, but every build, launch, and competition project is a team effort. We are open to members at every experience level, from first-years with no rocketry background to upperclassmen leading competition teams.
Monthly Launches
Once a month, RRS travels to URRG (Upstate Research and Rocketry Group) in Penn Yan, NY for a full day of launches. If you've got something built and ready to fly we can help you get there! We organize carpools to ensure everyone has a ride, and our experienced members are always happy to help get your rocket inspected and cleared to fly.
How to Join
New members are welcome to join RRS at any time, just come to a general body meeting, held the first Wednesday of each month from 6-8pm, and pay club dues ($25/semester). From there, you're free to attend our open shop hours, Mondays and Wednesdays from 6-9pm in our lab on the 4th floor of the Ricketts Building. All majors are welcome!
No experience or certification is required to join our IREC team. The first IREC meeting will be anounced at the first general body meeting of each school year. Subteam meeting times are set once IREC officially kicks off each cycle.
New Level 1 certification participants are accepted at the start of each semester. This gives members enough time to build before our launches mid-semester.
Next enrollment opens: August 27th
Can't make this window? You're still welcome to join RRS anytime. Come to open shop hours or a general body meeting to get involved while you wait for the next L-1 cycle. We can also help you work on an L-1 that you purches yourself.
