Cornell Rocketry Team
Cornell Rocketry Team is a 501(c)(3) student engineering project team at Cornell University that designs, builds, and launches high-powered SRAD rockets to compete annually in the Spaceport America Cup, funded by corporate sponsorships and donations.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2012
- HeadquartersIthaca, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Cornell Rocketry Team does
Cornell Rocketry Team (CRT) is a registered engineering project team at Cornell University, founded in 2012 and operating as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. The team designs, assembles, and launches high-powered rockets to compete annually in the Spaceport America Cup, the world's largest intercollegiate rocket engineering competition. CRT is composed of 50 members drawn from 10 academic majors across Cornell's College of Engineering, organized into six subteams: Business, Electrical, Software, Propulsion, Recovery & Payload, and Structures.
The team's core technology centers on Student Researched and Developed (SRAD) rocket systems, including a machined N2O-HTPB hybrid motor generating over 1,300 pounds of thrust, an avionics bay housing a Central Flight Computer, and a BLiMS (Break Line Manipulation System) that autonomously steers a steerable parafoil to a predetermined GPS coordinate during descent. The team has built and launched 8 rockets since 2012, progressing from commercial off-the-shelf propulsion (Big Red 1, 2022) to fully SRAD solid motors (Ursa Major, 2023, 10,115 ft apogee) to fully SRAD hybrid motors (Andromeda, 2025, 12,100 ft test flight). Competition results include 1st place in 10K Solid SRAD (2023), 2nd place overall (2023), and 3rd place in 10K Hybrid SRAD (2025) at the Spaceport America Cup.
CRT's business model is nonprofit sponsorship- and donation-funded rather than revenue-generating. The team maintains a five-tier sponsor structure (Diamond, Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze) with roughly 28 named corporate sponsors spanning aerospace primes (Boeing), defense technology (Anduril, Varda, Northwood Space), industrial software (Altium, Ansys, SolidWorks), and energy (Exxon, Shell), plus institutional support from Cornell's College of Engineering. The GTM motion is event-driven and recruitment-focused, with fall application cycles targeting Cornell students through information sessions, Project Team Fest, and Club Fest, followed by an August-to-June design and competition cycle.
Cornell Rocketry Team firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Cornell Rocketry Team
- Legal name
- Cornell Rocketry Project Team
- Website
- https://cornellrocketryteam.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2012
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Cornell Rocketry Team is a 501(c)(3) student engineering project team at Cornell University that designs, builds, and launches high-powered SRAD rockets to compete annually in the Spaceport America Cup, funded by corporate sponsorships and donations.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Cornell Rocketry Team industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Student Aerospace Engineering Programs
- NAICS
- Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414), Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Propulsion Unit and Propulsion Unit Parts Manufacturing (336415), Other Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336419)
- SIC
- Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Launch Vehicles & Orbital Rockets (IMABACAA)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Hybrid Rocket Engines (IMABADAG)
Keywords
Where Cornell Rocketry Team is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Ithaca
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Cornell Rocketry Team business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Personnel
Revenue model
- Sponsorship and Donations: Cornell Rocketry Team operates as a 501(c)(3) organization relying on corporate sponsorships and individual donations. Sponsors are categorized into Diamond, Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze tiers with corresponding benefits. Individual family contributions also form part of the funding base.
- Sponsorship Tiers: Multi-tiered sponsorship structure including Diamond sponsors (Marotta), Platinum sponsors (Altium, Ansys, Boeing, Cornell Engineering, Kennametal, Monster, Omega, SBG Systems, SKB Cases, SolidWorks, Titan, Varda, Xmake), Gold sponsors (Anduril, Firebird, NY Space Grant), Silver sponsors (Determinate Systems, Exxon, Lutron, Seco Seals, Shell, Winsource), and Bronze sponsors (Celsius, Graphite Store, Northwood Space, OSH Park, Overleaf)
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels6 records
Cornell Rocketry Team product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Cornell Rocketry Team designs, assembles, and launches high-powered rockets to compete in the annual Spaceport America Cup. Each annual rocket incorporates Student Researched and Developed (SRAD) subsystems including a hybrid propulsion motor, avionics bay, autonomous guided parafoil recovery, and a competition payload, with the goal of reaching a 10,000-foot apogee. The team is funded through corporate sponsorships and donations and operates as a 501(c)(3) educational organization within Cornell University's College of Engineering.
Product overview
Cornell Rocketry Team is a student engineering project team that designs, assembles, and launches high-powered rockets for the annual Spaceport America Cup competition. The team builds rockets from scratch each year, incorporating SRAD (Student Researched and Developed) components including the rocket airframe, propulsion systems, avionics, recovery systems, and payloads. The product portfolio includes multiple named competition rockets (ANDROMEDA, JAVELINA, URSA MAJOR, BIG RED 1, POLARIS, FLAMMEA, EZRA, SPACE JAM, CHEWBACCA), key subsystems (BLiMS for autonomous guided descent, AV Bay with Central Flight Computer), propulsion systems (SRAD Hybrid and Solid motors), and innovative payloads (deployable camera systems, guided parafoils, deployable rovers).
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Andromeda Rocket Andromeda is the team's 2025 competition rocket and its first student-researched-and-designed (SRAD) hybrid rocket. It incorporates SRAD avionics, guided descent, and propulsion components and is built to reach a 10,000-foot target apogee at the Spaceport America Cup.
- Javelina Rocket Javelina is the team's 2024 competition rocket for the Spaceport America Cup, with nearly all major systems (avionics, software, motor casing, and grains) developed in-house as SRAD. It is the team's second rocket to compete in the 10,000 ft SRAD solid motor category.
- Ursa Major Rocket Ursa Major is the team's 2023 competition rocket and the first to feature a student-researched-and-developed (SRAD) solid motor. It achieved 10,115 ft apogee (against a 10,201 ft prediction) and won 1st place in the 10K Solid SRAD category and 2nd place overall at the Spaceport America Cup.
- Big Red 1 Rocket
- Polaris Rocket Polaris is the team's 2019 competition rocket for the Spaceport America Cup. It featured a guided parafoil payload that ejects from the forward section during descent, an early demonstration of autonomous guided recovery technology.
- Flammea Rocket Flammea is the team's 2018 NASA Student Launch competition rocket. Its payload, the Deployable Rover System (DRS), deploys a rover from the rocket upon landing that autonomously traverses terrain using object avoidance and unfolds solar panels.
- Ezra Rocket Ezra is the team's 2017 NASA Student Launch competition rocket. It utilizes a Controlled Landing Mechanism (CLM) for upright landing, a Roll Control System (RCS) for roll management, and a Target Detection System (TDS) to capture ground targets, and placed 3rd overall with Safety and Documentation awards.
- Space Jam Rocket Space Jam is the team's 2015-2016 NASA Student Launch competition rocket. It features a full fiberglass airframe and fins, a Payload Enclosure Mechanism (PEM), and an avionics bay with tracking electronics and radios for telemetry, and reached 5,277 ft altitude.
- Chewbacca Rocket Chewbacca is the team's 2015 NASA Student Launch competition rocket. It successfully competed and accomplished all milestones, achieving 4th place overall at the NASA Student Launch competition.
- Corporate Sponsorship Packages A structured corporate sponsorship program offered to companies in five tiers (Diamond, Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze) with corresponding benefits such as logo placement, recruitment access, and brand association with a Cornell University student aerospace engineering team. Diamond sponsor: Marotta. Platinum sponsors include Altium, Ansys, Boeing, Cornell Engineering, Kennametal, Monster, Omega, SBG Systems, SKB Cases, SolidWorks, Titan, Varda, and Xmake. Gold sponsors include Anduril, Firebird, NY Space Grant, and Valworx.
Quantifiable outcome
- First ever student research and designed (SRAD) hybrid rocket - Andromeda reached 12,100 ft on test flight
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Cornell Rocketry Team
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Cornell Rocketry Team technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Cornell Rocketry Team partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.
- Spaceport America CupcoreAnnual intercollegiate rocket engineering competition held in Southern New Mexico. Over 1,700 students from 150+ institutions compete annually. Cornell Rocketry has competed annually since 2012, winning multiple awards including 1st place (2023), 2nd place overall (2023), and 3rd place (2025).
- NASA Student LaunchmajorNASA-sponsored student rocketry competition. Cornell Rocketry competed from 2015-2019, achieving 3rd place overall (2017), Safety Award (2017), Documentation Award (2017), and 4th place overall (2015).
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Cornell Rocketry Team competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Cal Poly CubeSat / Cal Poly Space Systems: Cal Poly's cross-disciplinary aerospace student organization active in high-powered rocketry and student launch competitions; comparable engineering project-team structure with aerospace focus.
- Purdue Space Program (PSUB / PSTAR): Purdue University's student rocketry organization that builds and launches high-powered SRAD rockets in national competitions; similar competition-focused, multi-disciplinary student team structure.
- UT Austin Texas Rocket Engineering Lab (TREL): University of Texas student rocket engineering lab competing at Spaceport America Cup with SRAD solid and hybrid motors; comparable in competition tier and propulsion development.
- Penn State Hybrid Rocketry Club / PSRC: Penn State's student rocketry competition team working on hybrid propulsion systems and competing at Spaceport America Cup; directly comparable SRAD hybrid motor development trajectory.
- Georgia Tech Yellow Jacket Space Program: Large, multi-subteam Georgia Tech rocketry project team building SRAD solid and hybrid propulsion rockets for Spaceport America Cup; comparable scale, competition tier, and propulsion development focus.
- University of Michigan MASA: Michigan's student aerospace project team competing with SRAD rockets in events like Spaceport America Cup; comparable operational scale, propulsion ambition, and university-affiliated nonprofit funding model.
- Virginia Tech Space Shot: Virginia Tech student rocketry team developing SRAD motors for collegiate competitions including Spaceport America Cup; directly comparable in SRAD propulsion innovation and competition participation.
- MIT Rocket Team: Ivy-tier intercollegiate rocketry team that designs, builds, and launches high-powered rockets for competitions such as Spaceport America Cup; directly comparable in mission, competition focus, and SRAD approach.
- Stanford Student Space Initiative (SSI): Stanford University's student-run rocketry and space organization that competes in Spaceport America Cup with SRAD rockets; similar profile of elite university talent, sponsor roster, and competition focus.
- UC Berkeley Space Technologies and Rocketry (STArS): Berkeley's student-run rocketry organization developing and launching high-powered SRAD rockets in intercollegiate competition; comparable engineering-project-team structure and competition focus.
Market position
Strengths3 records
Weaknesses3 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Cornell Rocketry Team social profiles
Digital presenceCornell Rocketry Team financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Cornell Rocketry Team leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Cornell Rocketry Team funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
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Cornell Rocketry Team M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
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Frequently asked questions about Cornell Rocketry Team
What does Cornell Rocketry Team do?
Cornell Rocketry Team designs, assembles, and launches high-powered rockets to compete in the annual Spaceport America Cup. Each annual rocket incorporates Student Researched and Developed (SRAD) subsystems including a hybrid propulsion motor, avionics bay, autonomous guided parafoil recovery, and a competition payload, with the goal of reaching a 10,000-foot apogee. The team is funded through corporate sponsorships and donations and operates as a 501(c)(3) educational organization within Cornell University's College of Engineering.
Is Cornell Rocketry Team a public or private company?
Cornell Rocketry Team is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Cornell Rocketry Team founded?
Cornell Rocketry Team was founded in 2012. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Cornell Rocketry Team based?
Cornell Rocketry Team is headquartered in Ithaca, United States, in the North America region.
How does Cornell Rocketry Team make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Sponsorship and Donations are the primary driver. The others are sponsorship Tiers.
Who are Cornell Rocketry Team's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Cal Poly CubeSat / Cal Poly Space Systems, Purdue Space Program (PSUB / PSTAR), UT Austin Texas Rocket Engineering Lab (TREL), Penn State Hybrid Rocketry Club / PSRC, Georgia Tech Yellow Jacket Space Program, University of Michigan MASA, Virginia Tech Space Shot, MIT Rocket Team, Stanford Student Space Initiative (SSI) and UC Berkeley Space Technologies and Rocketry (STArS).
Does Cornell Rocketry Team have an API?
No public API is recorded for Cornell Rocketry Team.
What industry is Cornell Rocketry Team in?
Cornell Rocketry Team's product category is Student Aerospace Engineering Programs. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABACAA, Launch Vehicles & Orbital Rockets, with a secondary code of IMABADAG, Hybrid Rocket Engines. Its NAICS code is 336414 and its SIC code is 3760.