2025-2026 49er Rocketry Team

Above is the 2025-2026 49er Rocketry Team structure. The Team competes in NASA's University Student Launch Initiative (USLI) every year. We compete against over 60 other schools to design, build, fly, and successfully recover a high powered rocket. Additionally, each year NASA requires the payload of the rocket (the electronics the rocket carries) to perform different tasks. This can range from reporting survivability data to launching a drone mid flight. The 49er Rocketry Team has been around for over 10 years and has a fierce reputation in the competition. In the past 8 years, the team has placed in the top 3 seven times!

The competition for this year has already begun. The competition this year is one of the most challenging yet. After we launch and successfully land our rocket, the payload (the electronics the rocket carries) must conduct automated soil sampling. To do this, the payload must self-orient, have a method of collecting soil, bring the soil into the payload, and test the soil for pH, nitrate/nitrite levels, and electro-conductivity. Due to the complexity of this year's challenge, it is more important than ever that we have your support. This competition will surely push our team to their limit, but with your support we can bring back another 1st place trophy.

2023-2024 Full-Scale Rocket Launch

In order to keep the success of the 49er Rocketry Team, we need your help! This project requires the creation and development of advanced systems, with specialized materials, that tend to cost a decent amount. Unlike our team, most other collegiate teams are backed by a well-funded aerospace program. The cost of the project, between the research, design, construction, and travel throughout the competition is estimated to be $25,000.

Of the $6,000 fundraising goal, the amount raised will be broken down into the following categories: Payload, Vehicle, and Travel. An estimated $2,000 will go toward the payload, which includes all of the electronics and mechanisms. $2,000 will go towards the vehicle, which includes the motor, exterior tubing, and interior structural components. For the team to be able to travel to Huntsville, AL for the 4-day competition, an estimated $1,000. Finally, $1,000 will go towards funding our outreach events.

 An extension of the 49er Rocketry Team and NASA USLI competition is STEM Engagement. Competing teams are required to interact with 250 people through outreach events. Many schools see this as a number but we see it as the future of STEM. Every year the 49er Rocketry Team has engaged far beyond the required scope because we understand how important it is to foster a love and curiosity for science early on in a person's life. This year, we plan to visit numerous k-12 schools in the charlotte area and beyond. We have also partnered with Discovery Place this year to increase not only the quantity of children reached, but also the quality of the engagement. We plan to bring interactive elements to all outreach events we do including 3D printed modular rockets, a 3D printed wind tunnel, and even previous competition rockets and payloads!

Donate today to be a part of the 49er Rocketry Team at UNC Charlotte

You can double or triple the impact of your gift if your employer participates in a matching gift program.  To see if your employer has a matching gift program, click here. If your company matches, complete your matching gift form and submit it to UNC Charlotte via mail (UNC Charlotte Foundation, 9201 University City Boulevard, Charlotte, NC 28223), fax (704-687-7259) or email (mwinslow@uncc.edu).

For more information and updates about the 49er Rocketry Team, visit the following pages:

Facebook: m.facebook.com/49errocketry/

Instagram: instagram.com/49errocketry/

Twitter: twitter.com/49erRocketry

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@49errocketry