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Students from ����Vlog ’s College of Engineering and Computer Science made history this summer as the (TAC) competed for the first time in the (IREC), earning a top 10 overall finish among 140 collegiate teams from around the world.

Hosted by the (ESRA), IREC is the world’s largest university rocket engineering competition. In its debut appearance, the ����Vlog team established itself among the competition’s highest-performing universities, showcasing the college’s strength in aerospace engineering and hands-on student innovation.

The team traveled to Midland, Texas, where it successfully launched Athene, a custom-designed, ����Vlog-themed rocket named in reference to the owl of Athena. Competing in the 10,000-foot Commercial Off-the-Shelf (10K COTS) category, Athene reached 9,931 feet, demonstrating exceptional engineering precision. The team placed sixth in the 10K COTS category among more than 90 applicants.

Among the top 10, the team earned top honors across multiple judging categories:

“To achieve these results in our first appearance at IREC is a remarkable accomplishment,” said Derin Aydin, president of the Technology and Aerospace Club. “This success would not have been possible without the support of our sponsors, donors, faculty and the education we receive in the College of Engineering and Computer Science. Their investment gave our team the opportunity to design, build and test a rocket capable of competing alongside some of the nation’s top collegiate programs. Our students demonstrated that innovation, determination and strong engineering fundamentals can compete with the very best.”

The International Rocketry Engineering Competition challenges university teams to design, build, test and launch high-powered rockets while meeting rigorous engineering, safety and performance requirements. Teams are evaluated on every stage of the engineering process, from technical design and manufacturing to flight performance and technical documentation.

The accomplishment reflects months of interdisciplinary collaboration among students responsible for vehicle design, avionics, payload systems, structures, recovery systems and flight operations.

The project was made possible through the generous support of industry partners NAZTEC, Polymaker and Alro; ����Vlog alumni donation ; funding from the Council of Student Organizations (COSO); and sponsorship from the College of Engineering and Computer Science. The team also received mentorship and technical support from Professor Davood Moselemian, Ph.D., Department of Ocean and Mechanical Engineering.

The TAC leadership team included:

"Our Technology and Aerospace Club has demonstrated what is possible when talented students are given the opportunity to pursue ambitious engineering challenges," said Stella Batalama, Ph.D., dean of ����Vlog's College of Engineering and Computer Science. "Earning a top 10 finish in their first International Rocketry Engineering Competition against more than 140 collegiate teams from around the world is an extraordinary accomplishment. This achievement reflects the dedication of our students, the strength of our hands-on engineering programs and the impact of a college that empowers student organizations to innovate, collaborate and excel."

Florida Atlantic’s aerospace opportunities continue to expand through interdisciplinary engineering education, student design experiences and research initiatives that prepare graduates for careers in the aerospace and defense industries. The Technology and Aerospace Club’s success at IREC reflects the college’s commitment to providing students with opportunities to apply classroom knowledge to engineering challenges while competing on a global stage.