Rocket Raptors logoRocket Raptors

ARC Rookie Team · Central Florida

Rocket
Raptors

Four homeschooled students designing, building, and launching mid-powered rockets from the ground up.Reaching for the stars in 2026.

Meet the rocketOur story
Our story

Four homeschooled students, one rookie season.

We are Rocket Raptors, founded in 2026 in Central Florida — four friends who came together over space, engineering, and building rockets.

This is our inaugural season. We compete in the American Rocketry Challenge (ARC), designing, simulating, and flying our own airframes while gaining real engineering experience.

No school backing and no safety net — just a small crew, a workbench, and a target apogee. Every launch teaches us something the classroom can't.

Read our story
4
Crew members
1st
Rookie season
2026
Founded
800
Target apogee (ft)
Meet the fleet

One airframe, built from scratch to hit 800 ft, exactly.

Pyroraptor competition rocket 3D render with black nose cone, gold airframe, and black fins

Pyroraptor · Competition airframe

01Pyroraptor V1Custom curved-fin prototypeFirst flight article02Pyroraptor NeoActive fin control to 800 ftFlight computer · 4 servos · Iris recovery
The crew

Small crew, huge dreams.

Students

Lily icon

Lily

[Structural]

Structural Design Engineer & Payload Specialist

Homeschooled · Rookie Season

StructuresPayloadCADMarketing · Pitch Deck
  • >Develops structural systems for both rockets and robots
  • >Leads payload integration and lightweight design
  • >Pairs creative problem-solving with strong engineering principles
  • >Leads the team's pitch deck and sponsor-facing design
Gavin icon

Gavin

[Propulsion]

Propulsion & Launch Pad Operations / Website Manager

Homeschooled · Rookie Season

PropulsionLaunch OpsMarketing · Website
  • >Designs and tests the team's propulsion systems
  • >Directs launch pad operations on competition day
  • >Manages the team website and digital content
Grayson icon

Grayson

[Manufacturing]

Manufacturing & 3D Printing Engineer / Range Safety Officer

Homeschooled · Rookie Season

Manufacturing3D PrintingSafetyMarketing · Video
  • >Fabricates precision rocket and robot components
  • >Operates advanced 3D printing workflows
  • >Enforces range-safety protocols during testing and launch
  • >Directs the team's marketing videos and launch footage
Noah icon

Noah

[Simulation]

Simulation Software & Data Collection Specialist / Rocket Design Engineer

Homeschooled · Rookie Season

SimulationDataElectronicsMarketing · Presentation
  • >Builds simulation tools and analyzes flight data
  • >Leads rocket design and aerodynamic refinement
  • >Drives system reliability with electrical engineering insight
  • >Owns the team's competition presentation and mission debrief

Mentors & Coaches

Coach Nami icon

Coach Nami

[Coach]

Head Coach & Team Mentor

Central Florida · Team Lead

MentorStrategySafety
  • >Guides the team through design reviews and build cycles
  • >Oversees safety, logistics, and competition prep
  • >Helps the crew turn ambitious ideas into real launches
  • >Coordinates parents, mentors, and community partners
  • >Runs the team's single point of contact inbox
  • >Champions STEAM outreach across Central Florida
Objectives

What this season is actually about.

  • 01Compete in the American Rocketry Challenge as a rookie homeschooled team
  • 02Master the fundamentals of rocket design, construction, and safety
  • 03Show what dedicated homeschooled students can achieve in STEAM
  • 04Inspire other young learners to explore engineering and rocketry
  • 05Build lifelong skills in teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving
Flight manifest

Upcoming launches.

01JUL 11 · 2026Club LaunchSpaceport Rocketry Association
02AUG 08 · 2026Club LaunchSpaceport Rocketry Association

SRA launches held 2nd Saturday · ROCK 1st Saturday · ROAR 4th Saturday

Get involved

Let's launch together.

Students & homeschool families

Interested in joining or collaborating?

Sponsors & local businesses

Help power our first season.

Rocket enthusiasts

Follow along and cheer us on.

Support our missionContact us