What We Do

The National Association of Rocketry (NAR) provides rocket enthusiasts across the country with licenses to launch high-powered rockets recreationally.

We’re excited to share that New Mexico State University’s Collegiate Rocketry Team, the Atomic Aggies, is now an officially chartered NAR Section (#982)! Our NAR Subteam Lead and Section President, Joshua Davila, helps Atomic Aggies members earn their NAR certifications — all the way up to Level 3 (L3), the highest level available.

Thanks to E3 funding through a National Science Foundation grant, our team has the resources to purchase rocket kits, commercial solid motors, and building materials. This support lets students design, build, and launch rockets without worrying about personal costs.

We have several launch sites across southern New Mexico and West Texas, including Alamogordo, NM, Horizon City, TX, and a third private location here in New Mexico. As part of their certification process, students also learn to use OpenRocket, a professional rocket design and simulation software. With OpenRocket, members can model their rockets, test different motor configurations, predict altitude and flight speed, and estimate how far the rocket will land from the launch site—all before the real flight.

This year, we’re aiming for over 30 students to complete their Level 1 and Level 2 certifications, and we’re supporting four students on track to achieve Level 3 certification by the end of 2026!

If you’re ready to take on the challenge of high-powered rocketry, join us!