Image credit to Ben Adams Photography

  • 64 teams competed in the largest Northern Regional Final of the UK Youth Rocketry Challenge (UKROC)
  • Birkdale School (Day 1 Winners) and 230th Sheffield Air Scouts and Air Explorers (Day 2 Winners) have been crowned the North regional Champions
  • Regional winners will now refine their rockets as they prepare for the National Finals in June
York (7 May 2026) – Across two days, 64 teams from 30 schools and youth groups put their engineering skills to the test in the Northern Regional Finals of the 2026 UK Youth Rocketry Challenge (UKROC). The competition sees teams of students aged 11-18 design, build and launch a model rocket to an altitude of 750 feet, all while carrying a precious payload – a raw egg. Hosted at Elvington Airfield in York, Birkdale School and 230th Sheffield Air Scouts and Air Explorers will now advance on to the next stage of the competition where they will compete against fellow regional champions for the national title. Running for over 20 years, the competition is organised by ADS, the trade association for the aerospace, defence, security, and space sectors and sponsored by industry partners Airbus, Frankenburg Technologies, and Saab UK. Paul Oxley, Director General of ADS Skills, said:
“Congratulations to everyone who has competed in the regional finals! At ADS, we’re committed to building a strong pipeline of talent to meet the demands of the future. Continued support for initiatives like this is vital to tackling the UK’s growing skills gap and opening up high quality career opportunities for young people across the country. With our most in demand competition to date, I’m excited to see the level of talent heading into the National Final – best of luck to all!”
Kata Escott, Managing Director at Airbus Defence and Space, and ADS VP for Space, commented:
“We are delighted to continue to support this competition. Airbus is committed to supporting initiatives that not only celebrate innovation but also inspire the next generation of engineers and scientists. I am looking forward to seeing teams from across the UK progress to the National Final and the International Final at Farnborough International Airshow.”
Dan Hallett, UK Managing Director at Frankenburg Technologies, said:
“Specialising in rocket science, Frankenburg is extremely impressed with the hard work and dedication shown throughout the competition. The pipeline from UKROC into industry is essential, and by supporting the challenge we’re proud to help inspire and develop future engineering talent.”
Andy Fraser, Group Managing Director at Saab UK, commented:
“Saab UK is driven to support the next generation of defence and engineering talent, and we’re impressed by the drive and expertise demonstrated by the teams taking part in UKROC. Initiatives like this give young people across the UK the chance to push their abilities, build confidence in their skills and creativity, and take meaningful steps toward future careers in our industry. Their passion and potential are truly inspiring.”
Team ‘Little Red Rocket’ from Birkdale School and team ‘The Minions’ from 230TH Sheffield Air Scouts and Air Explorers will now refine their rockets before joining other regional champions for the National Final on 25 June in Buckminster. The 2026 UKROC competition will see over 1,600 schoolchildren from throughout the UK compete in nine regional events. The winners of the National final will go on to Farnborough International Airshow 2026 where they go rocket-to-rocket with teams from the United States, Japan and France to become the International Youth Rocketry Champions. Find out more about UKROC.

Birkdale School (Day 1 Winners)

230th Sheffield Air Scouts and Air Explorers (Day 2 Winners)