Introducing WAARP, Michigan Aerospace’s Newest Student Group
A New Student Organization is ready to hit the ground running, setting their sights on 2026 competition
The University of Michigan Department of Aerospace Engineering is proud to announce its newest student organization, the Women in Aeronautics and Astronautics Rocketry Program (WAARP). Founded in the fall of 2024, WAARP is a subset of the Women in Women in Aeronautics and Astronautics (WAA) and aims to recruit and train members to design, build and test a rocket for the 2026 International Rocket Engineering Competition (IREC), hosted by the Experimental Sounding Rocket Association.
According to the IREC rules, there can only be one team representing each competing university. In previous years, the University of Michigan was represented by the Michigan Aeronautical Science Association (MASA) student organization until recently when MASA began focusing on new goals to design, build and launch pioneering liquid-fueled rockets.
With the change of pace in MASA, and the team no longer competing at the IREC, Michigan has been without an IREC-eligible team. WAARP aims to fill that gap and simultaneously provide a safe space for gender minorities to explore technical challenges while representing the University of Michigan on an international level.
“Our founding members recognized a discrepancy in the intersection between technical and professional development skills in project teams and student organizations on campus. WAARP’s relationship with WAA provides a direct connection for members to develop themselves in both arenas,” explained WAARP President Lydia Steeby.
We recently caught up with members of WAARP to learn more about their goals and IREC in the below interview.
What is the goal/mission behind WAARP:
To foster a sense of community among women and other gender minorities in aviation and space. WAARP’s primary mission is to develop the technical and professional skills necessary to design, test and build a rocket to be launched in the IREC.
What does community mean to WAARP:
To WAARP, community signifies the creation of a safe and inclusive space for women and gender minorities in the aviation and space fields. It is dedicated to fostering technical and professional skill development among its members, particularly in rocketry design, testing and construction.
WAARP aims to provide opportunities for underrepresented groups to explore technical challenges and represent the University of Michigan in the IREC Competition. By bridging the gap between technical and professional development skills through its relationship with WAA, WAARP builds a supportive network that empowers members to grow, learn and collaborate in rocketry and aerospace engineering.
Additionally, it addresses the lack of representation in university rocketry teams by forming an IREC-eligible team composed of gender minorities, cultivating a sense of belonging and empowerment in these traditionally male-dominated fields. WAARP’s commitment to community is exemplified by its goals to recruit, train and certify members, ultimately working towards participation in IREC in June 2026.
Do you already have plans on the type of rocket design and details for the 2026 IREC Competition?
WAARP is designing a solid rocket with the goal of reaching 10,000 feet apogee, utilizing a commercial off-the-shelf engine. The design will include custom avionics, a payload, and an active recovery system. The team is still in the early design phase, it is never too late to get involved!
Who is open to joining:
Anyone who identifies as a gender minority and has an interest in aerospace applications is welcome to join the team. Members who wish to join and compete in the IREC competition must be an active member of WAA. Members can be from outside the Aerospace Engineering Department and are welcomed from all majors and backgrounds.
Any fun facts:
Among members, we call ourselves WAA-cketeers!
Contact information and how people can join: Interested in being a part of WAARP? Contact board members to see how your knowledge and expertise can help them with their upcoming goals here: [email protected]