Cadets from Durham Northumberland Wing soared to success at the UK Youth Rocketry Challenge (UKROC) 2025 Scottish Regional Heat held on the 18 March 2025. Entering three teams into the competition, Team Skylark II emerged as regional champions and secured their place in the national finals in May. Meanwhile, Team Rocketeers placed in the top three and could also progress to the national stage once all results are confirmed.
The national champions will win an all expenses paid trip to Paris, where they will represent the UK in an international showdown against teams from the USA, Japan, and France at the Paris Airshow in June 2025.
UKROC is the UK’s largest model rocketry competition, challenging young people to design, build, and launch a model rocket carrying a payload of two raw eggs representing astronauts. The goal is to reach an altitude of 790 feet and land safely within 41-44 seconds, keeping the eggs intact. Each year, competition rules change to encourage fresh thinking and innovative designs.
Warrant Officer Dan Rogerson-Parkin RAFAC, of 1801 (Alnwick) Squadron and the mentor for the teams, said:
"This is a great achievement for all involved. UKROC is a fantastic STEM activity that gets young people thinking, perfecting their designs, and gaining a real understanding of project management, physics, and more. It’s great to see their success, which reflects the effort and dedication our cadets put into this challenge."
Warrant Officer Dan Rogerson-Parkin
ADS Chief Executive, Kevin Craven, added:
“The UK Youth Rocketry Challenge is a fantastic example of how the aerospace, defence, security, and space sectors can support and encourage young people into fascinating and rewarding careers.
The future success of these industries will be driven by a new generation of talent with strong STEM skills. UKROC is a brilliant way to inspire young people to explore high-skilled careers in aerospace, defence, and space.
I’m delighted to see such strong engagement in this year’s competition and look forward to seeing the UK teams compete at the international finals—perhaps even securing another victory as they have in previous years.”
Kevin Craven
Chief Executive, ADS