UC Irvine Giving Day 2025

In 2023, we successfully launched UC Irvine’s first liquid-fueled rocket. Now, our Liquids Team is determined to break the collegiate methalox altitude record at 13,250ft within three years, placing us among a select group of university teams developing methalox propulsion. We see this as our biggest challenge yet—an opportunity to demonstrate what student engineers can achieve while securing a major milestone for UC Irvine.

Founded in 2005, the UC Irvine Rocket Project began as a small group of engineering students passionate about rocketry—launching high-power solid rockets and bringing their creations to the skies. After a decade of experimental designs, the project shifted its trajectory towards a higher goal and joined the collegiate race to space as part of the Base11 Space Challenge. Since the debut of the Base 11 UCI Rocketry Lab in 2018, the UC Irvine Rocket Project Liquids team has grown to include 40 undergraduates and a legacy of alumni who are now at the forefront of aerospace innovation.

Why Methalox? Fueling the Future of Space Travel

In the pursuit of deep-space exploration and the dream of becoming a multiplanetary species, methalox—the combination of liquid methane and liquid oxygen—has emerged as a game-changing propellant. Not only does methalox burn cleaner than traditional fuel, but it is also able to be manufactured on Mars. Its relevance is underscored by the ambitions of industry leaders such as SpaceX, whose Raptor engine powers the Starship—a vehicle designed not only to launch payloads into orbit but also to carry humans to Mars. 

The Methalox Challenge: Pushing the Boundaries of Safety and Innovation

Working with methalox is both groundbreaking and inherently perilous. Being cryogenic, the fuels demand storage and handling at extremely low temperatures—conditions under which materials can become unexpectedly brittle, and even minor leaks can escalate into major hazards. These challenges require not only technical precision but also specialized safety equipment and rigorous protocols to ensure that every test and launch is as safe as possible. 

This is where your support becomes even more vital. While we have made significant progress in our design and testing phases, our current safety equipment—though reliable—is operating at its limits. Additional funds will enable us to invest in state-of-the-art cryogenic safety gear, advanced leak-detection systems, and upgraded containment facilities. These enhancements are not just about protecting our team; they are essential for maintaining the rapid pace required to break records and meet our ambitious goals without compromising safety.

Over the past year, we have finalized designs, begun constructing our launch vehicle, refined our avionics, and validated our propulsion system through multiple cold flow tests under cryogenic conditions. Looking ahead, we are preparing for upcoming hot-fire tests and planning the launch of UC Irvine’s second liquid rocket by fall 2025. Each of these steps—from advanced cryogenic handling protocols to intricate instrumentation upgrades—depends on crucial funding.

Your support is the key to unlocking our future successes. When you donate to the UC Irvine Rocket Project Liquids Team, you are not just helping us secure aerostructure or engine parts; you are directly funding essential safety measures and research opportunities that empower a new generation of engineers. You are ensuring that we can safely harness the immense power of methalox—a propellant at the cutting edge of collegiate rocketry and a cornerstone technology for companies like SpaceX in their quest to colonize Mars.

We invite you to join us on this incredible journey. Every donation, no matter the amount, will directly contribute to the launch of our next rocket. Thank you for believing in our mission and investing in our students' safety, progress, and limitless potential.