RockOn is a workshop at Wallops Flight Facility for sounding rocket payload design that is an exciting chance for faculty and students to kickstart payload projects at their home institutions. Participants in the workshop will build a working scientific payload and then see it launch on a real sounding rocket. The 2026 application is now open!
Subject to available funds, MDSGC intends to sponsor one or more teams for each year’s workshop and encourages Maryland students and/or faculty to submit applications for team sponsorship. For 2026, the RockOn application deadline is February 13, 2026. If you are interested for this year or an upcoming year, visit NASA’s RockOn page for information and to apply and also contact MDSGC ASAP to let us know of your interest.
Here is a summary of important information about RockOn 2026:
- Application deadline is 02/13/26 – but why wait?
- 1 faculty mentor from the applicant institution must be willing to attend.
- 2 students from the applicant institution must be able to commit to attending.
- Attending faculty and students must be U.S. citizens at least 18 years of age.
- Workshop dates are tentatively June 17-25, 2026.
- Location is NASA/Wallops, with hotels nearby in Chincoteague, VA.
- In order for you to participate, NASA must select your application – it’s not automatic.
- MDSGC will sponsor the workshop registration and travel costs for up to three Maryland teams, subject to the availability of funds. Interested teams must contact MDSGC in advance to request sponsorship.