Lift Off! American Rocketry Challenge to be Awarded Challenger-7 Recognition at National Rocket Launch Competition

Washington, D.C. — May 12, 2026 – As part of its 40^th anniversary, Challenger Center is proud to award the Aerospace Industries Association’s (AIA) American Rocketry Challenge (ARC) the Challenger-7 Recognition, a national honor celebrating organizations whose work reflects the spirit, vision, and values of the Challenger 51-L crew.

The Challenger-7 Recognition is a tribute offered to multiple organizations that embody the crew’s commitment to exploration, learning, and inspiration, and a celebration of those advancing this mission for future generations. Throughout 2026, Challenger Center will continue to honor the legacy of the Challenger crew by uplifting several leading organizations in STEM education that are inspiring curiosity, advancing education, and empowering students to reach for the stars.

Since its founding in 2002, the American Rocketry Challenge has engaged more than 100,000 middle and high school students in hands-on STEM learning through the design, construction, testing, and launch of model rockets. As the world’s largest student rocketry competition, ARC continues to grow—reaching a record-breaking 1,107 teams in this year’s challenge alone.

Challenger Center is recognizing ARC not only for its scale, but for its deep and lasting impact on students’ confidence, teamwork, and real-world problem-solving skills. Through its programs, ARC inspires students to see themselves as future engineers, scientists, and innovators.

The recognition also reflects the growing partnership between Challenger Center and ARC. Since 2025, select ARC teams have been offered access to Challenger Center’s Satellite Challenges—immersive, team-based simulations that place students in the role of aerospace professionals tackling real-world mission scenarios. Together, the two organizations are expanding access to high-quality STEM experiences and strengthening the pipeline of future talent.

“STEM education is the workforce pipeline of the future—building the skills, confidence, and teamwork students need to thrive in tomorrow’s aerospace and advanced manufacturing careers,” said Eric Fanning, President and CEO of the Aerospace Industries Association. “The American Rocketry Challenge sparks curiosity in students and translates classroom learning into real-world experience year after year, helping ensure America continues to lead the world in innovation. We thank the Challenger Center for this recognition and their great partnership in bringing STEM education to even more students.”

“The American Rocketry Challenge exemplifies a spirit of exploration and hands-on learning,” said Mike Kincaid, President and Executive Director of Challenger Center. “Our partnership has been incredibly meaningful, creating new opportunities for students to apply their skills in dynamic, real-world contexts. ARC is truly inspiring the next generation of innovators and problem solvers, and we’re proud to recognize them as a Challenger-7 honoree.”

The award will be formally presented at the 2026 American Rocketry Challenge National Finals on May 16 in northern Virginia, where the top 100 teams from across the country will compete. The winning team will go on to represent the United States at the International Rocketry Challenge, held at the Farnborough International Airshow in the United Kingdom in July 2026.

Media Contacts

Challenger Center:

Julia Austin
Director, Communications
jaustin@challenger.org

American Rockery Challenge:

Katy Summerlin
Senior Director of Policy Communications
katy.summerlin@aia-aerospace.org