About Us

SEDS at UNLV (Students for the Exploration and Development of Space) is a student-run organization dedicated to pushing the boundaries of space technology and aerospace education. Our members work on real rocket engines, participate in competitions, and organize outreach to inspire the next generation.

Our Mission

We aim to provide students with hands-on experience relating to the space industry. Through rocketry projects, certification programs, and competition teams, our goal is to develop the next generation of aerospace engineers and explorers.

History

2019
SEDS UNLV started as a competition team of AAIA UNLV, later spinning off into its own Registered Student Organization. At SpaceVision 2019 we won "Best New Chapter". We built, launched and recovered our first IREC competition rocket, Loveship.
2020
COVID slowed in-person progress. Meetings moved online but team efforts continued—design work, simulations, and prep for when ranges reopened.
2021
As campus activity resumed, we restarted in-person builds and established early development for hybrid/liquid propulsion work and solid motor research—conducting multiple hot-fire tests.
2022
The hybrids path transitioned to a fully liquid propulsion program. The liquid project adopted the "SPARK" lineage in 2023. Solid motor research wrapped up to focus team effort on liquid engines.
2023
2023 brought technical challenges in early TTR milestones but the team returned to competition with "Luna" in a 10k-class COTS event. The flight provided valuable lessons in recovery and avionics integration.
2024
Spark 1 passed TTR and performed its first successful hot-fire — making SEDS UNLV the first entirely student-developed liquid-bipropellant engine in Nevada history.
2025
SPARK-2 development progressed (Torch igniter tests). Aramis was designed and test-launched for IREC 2025 as the team's next competition vehicle.

Get Involved

Whether you're an aspiring engineer or simply passionate about space, we welcome all students. Join us at our next general meeting or explore one of our subteams.

Gallery

Upcoming Events

Check our Instagram for meeting times and launch days.