Newport High School places second in International Rocketry Challenge

Team Japan came in first place, marking the first time an all-girls team won the title.

By Hannah Saunders • July 22, 2022 10:03 am
Newport High School representing Team USA at the International Rocketry Challenge. Courtesy of Aerospace Industries Association.
Newport High School representing Team USA at the International Rocketry Challenge. Courtesy of Aerospace Industries Association.

After placing first in the American Rocketry Challenge national finals on May 14, the Newport High School team went on to represent the United States at the International Rocketry Challenge, held at Farnborough International Airshow outside of London.

On July 22, it was announced that Newport High School team, which consists of Arthur Gwozdz, Samuel Chen, Rita Liu, Rose Liu, Brandon Luo, Ethan Luo, Kavin Manivasagam, Vanu Rao, Shreyas Subramanian and Minghan Sun, placed second at the International Rocketry Challenge.

Team Japan came in first place, marking the country’s first ever title in the International Rocketry Challenge, as well as the first time an all-girls team claimed first place. France followed Team USA in third place, while the United Kingdom took fourth place.

“I am incredibly proud of the Newport High School team,” said Eric Fanning, Aerospace Industries Association President and CEO. “They garnered hands-on engineering experience and overcame countless technical challenges–just as the engineers throughout our industry do every day–on their way to the International Rocketry Challenge.”

The international competition allows middle and high schoolers to design, build and launch model rockets to precise requirements, with the goal of inspiring students to pursue careers in aerospace or STEM.

For the challenge, teams were required to launch two raw hen eggs 835 feet into the air while safely returning the eggs to earth within 41-44 seconds. Teams were also required to deliver a presentation about their rocket design and lessons learned to a panel of industry experts. Rocket flights were worth 60% of the team’s overall score, while the presentation accounted for 40% of the total score.

This year marks the 15th that Raytheon Technologies has sponsored Team USA at the International Rocketry Challenge. Chairman and CEO of Raytheon Technologies, Greg Hayes, congratulated Team USA on their success.

“Solving our customers’ toughest challenges is foundational to our mission at Raytheon Technologies, and these students, with their incredible ability to collaboratively innovate, are exactly what we need in our future leaders as we look to create a safer, more connected world,” said Hayes.