SPA Cup Winners

Spaceport America, the world’s first purpose-built commercial spaceport and the Experimental Sounding Rocket Association (ESRA), congratulate the University of Washington Society for Advanced Rocket Propulsion as the Champion of the Third Annual Spaceport America Cup. Champions were selected in each category, and the University of Washington team was chosen by judges from the group of category champions as the overall winner.

“We’re honored to have Spaceport America serve as the host site for the world’s largest intercollegiate rocket engineering competition,” added Dan Hicks, CEO of Spaceport America. “This competition showcases some of the brightest minds of Universities from around the world, and we know that the rockets launched at the Spaceport America Cup are the result of months of hard work and planning. As evidenced by their teamwork, dedication, innovations, and tremendous successes this week, the future workforce of the World’s space industry sector is in good hands! We congratulate all of the 2019 Rocketeers and extend our deepest gratitude to the sponsors, volunteers, and those who traveled to New Mexico to be a part of the Spaceport America Cup.”

From June 18–22, thousands of students and spectators flocked to southern New Mexico from all over the globe, creating an economic and tourism boost for surrounding communities as part of their attendance at the 2019 Spaceport America Cup. This year’s competition was the largest to date, with over 120 teams registered including a large international presence from 14 different countries.

The weeklong event kicked off on June 18 at the Las Cruces Convention Center, where students displayed their rockets to judges and spectators, and had the opportunity to network with top commercial space companies and recruiters. From June 19–22, students competed, launching liquid, solid and hybrid rockets from Spaceport America’s Vertical Launch Area.

With over 90 rockets launched, the majority reaching their intended altitudes, this year marked more successful launches and increasing ingenuity from students, as well as continually improved experiences for spectators.