New Rocketry Training Programme from ESA Academy!
ESA Academy is pleased to announce the brand-new Rocketry Training Programme, designed for bachelor-level students eager to explore the fundamentals of rocketry and the wider space sector. This hands-on programme combines online theoretical training with an in-person workshop at Machrihanish Airbase (UK), where students will build and launch their own rockets.
About the Rocketry Training Programme
Targeted specifically at first- and second-year higher education students (e.g. Bachelor-level), the Rocketry Training Programme offers a multidisciplinary introduction to the field of rocketry and the broader space sector. No prior experience or background in rocketry is required – only curiosity and motivation to learn.
The programme commences with a comprehensive online training that provides participants with basic knowledge across a range of key disciplines, such as:
- Rocket physics and engineering
- Orbital mechanics
- System engineering
- Project management
- Business and legal frameworks applicable to space activities
This phase is designed to equip students with a holistic understanding of how rockets are developed and operated, both from the technical and contextual perspective.
Following completion of the online training, participants will be invited to attend an in-person rocketry workshop at the Machrihanish Airbase in the UK. Here, students will work in teams to put theory into practice by designing, constructing, and launching their own rockets. Participants will receive sponsorship for travel, accommodation and subsistence.
Beyond the training components, the programme also offers students a look into the diverse career opportunities within the space sector. Through exposure to both technical and non-technical disciplines, participants will gain insights into potential career paths.
ESA Academy’s Rocketry Training Programme is delivered with a consortium of industry and academia, led by Exotopic.
Important Dates
Application deadline: 17 November 2025, 12:00 CET
Online training: Live online lectures are held weekly, on Wednesdays, from 07 January to 13 May 2026, 18:00 – 20:00 CET
In-person workshop: Two consecutive days between 27 and 31 July 2026 at Machrihanish Airbase in UK.
How to Apply
Interested students are invited to submit their application on ESA Learn – the ESA Education and Community Platform: https://learn.esa.int/rocketry/explore/rocketry-training-programme
On ESA Learn, further information is available regarding the eligibility criteria, application process, and conditions for participation. Applicants should carefully review all programme details to ensure they meet the necessary requirements and understand the commitments involved.