Magherafelt's Rainey Endowed through to UK Final in rocket-building competition

Rainey Endowed School are through to the final of the UK Aerospace Youth Rocketry Challenge (UKAYRoC).

If successful in the UK finals ,the Rainey Endowed students could be on their way to the famous Farnborough International Airshow in July for the international final to compete against students from the USA, Japan and France.

Working with strict measurement conditions and a target altitude of 850 feet, the Rainey pupils - who were sponsored by Moyola Precision Engineering based in Castledawson - had to design and build a rocket, which would carry two raw eggs and return them safely to the ground.

Teams gained an insight into the aerospace industry’s engineering design and testing processes.

Designed to encourage teamwork, creativity and innovation, The UK Aerospace and Rocketry Challenge had an overwhelming number of entrants this year. More than 185 students and 34 teams from across the UK have taken part in preliminary rounds.

Jonnie Palmer, Head of Technology and Design at the Rainey said: “We are thrilled to get through to the national finals, it has been great fun along the way. It’s been a brilliant way to apply maths and science lessons away from the classroom, challenging the students’ capabilities.”

The competition is organised by ADS Group, UK trade organisation for space and aerospace industries.

Paul Everitt, Chief Executive of ADS Group congratulated the Magherafelt school.

“I wish them all the very best at the national final. The UK Aerospace Youth Rocketry Challenge gives the next generation of engineers an opportunity to understand complex challenges overcome by engineers working in our industries.

“There is a range of exciting, high-skill and well-paid career opportunities within aerospace and space for young people with strong maths and science qualifications. This competition is a great way for young people to engage creatively with these subjects.”

Paul Davey, from Lockheed Martin UK said: “Lockheed Martin is supportive of UK government’s ambition to grow the space industry and we want to find the next generation who can help us to design the spacecraft of the future.”