A Student-Led Engineering Team Shares the Joy of Aerospace
The AERO club invites students from all disciplines to join their launchpad
“We occasionally get physics or computer science majors, since that aligns with our projects. But we’re open to all students, regardless of background, Glasgow said.
From Humble Beginnings to High Altitudes
Duke AERO launched its first rocket in 2017 with four active members. While the pandemic temporarily paused operations, the team came back stronger — designing and launching a competition rocket every year since. Over the past five years, Duke AERO has grown steadily, now boasting more than 40 members and a reputation for excellence.
Each year, the team designs and builds a high-powered sounding rocket from the ground up, culminating in a trip to the International Rocket Engineering Competition (IREC), held every June. Formerly known as the Spaceport America Cup, IREC is one of the largest collegiate rocketry competitions in the world, drawing more than 150 teams from across the globe.
“It’s an incredible experience,” said Glasgow. “Not only do we get to see our rocket launched, but we also get to watch everyone else launch theirs.”
Although it’s a competition, Glasgow said the environment is collaborative. Teams are eager to share designs and help each other succeed — it’s all about getting rockets off the ground.
Engineering Excellence in the Desert
Duke AERO’s rockets are typically around 12 feet tall, six inches in diameter, and weigh approximately 120 pounds. At IREC, teams travel to a remote launch site, set up by the Experimental Sounding Rocket Association (ESRA). There, rockets are launched one after another under the watchful eye of a dedicated safety team.
The competition offers multiple flight categories: 10,000 feet, 30,000 feet, and experimental. Duke AERO has consistently competed in the 30,000-foot category and will do so again next year, continuing its tradition of pushing technical boundaries.
Unlike many collegiate teams, Duke AERO members design and fabricate nearly every component — from custom circuit boards and electronics to their own solid rocket motor.
A Journey Fueled by Passion
A senior studying mechanical engineering and pursuing the Aerospace Engineering certificate, Megan Glasgow joined Duke’s AERO club as a freshman with little experience in rocketry.
“One of the goals of our club is knowledge transfer,” she said. “If you come willing to learn, you can have a significant impact on the design of our rocket.” With mentorship from older students, she quickly picked up the basics and technical skills. By sophomore year, she became avionics lead, overseeing the rocket’s electronics and flight computers. In her junior year, she transitioned to liquid engine controls, and now, as president, she leads the team into its next chapter.
Her passion for aerospace began long before college.
“Ever since middle school, I wanted to work for NASA,” Glasgow said. “I had an old telescope I’d set up on the driveway to look at the stars. It was definitely a nerdy dream.”
That dream evolved into a career path: Glasgow is a member of Air Force ROTC and will become a lieutenant in the Air Force next year, working in developmental engineering. She also plans to pursue a master’s in aerospace engineering as part of her Air Force career.
“When I got into high school, I realized I really enjoyed science and math and wanted to pursue engineering,” she says. “Coming into Duke, I knew I wanted to join either Duke AERO or Motorsports. I tried both — and I just loved AERO.”
Their commitment to technical excellence hasn’t gone unnoticed. In 2024, the team received the Technical Excellence Award, recognizing their advanced designs and manufacturing techniques. For two consecutive years, Duke AERO was also selected to give podium presentations, a rare honor.
Faculty Support and Student Collaboration
While the design work is primarily done within the team, Duke AERO benefits from strong support across the university. The team has a faculty advisory board made up of professors from various engineering disciplines. “They’ve agreed to be on speed dial for technical questions, so we lean on them a lot," Glasgow said.
Collaboration also extends to other student organizations, especially for outreach and community events. Duke AERO regularly partners with groups such as Students for the Exploration and Development of Space and Duke Aviators to host events such as the annual space trivia night. The team is working with these organizations to host panels featuring engineers from SpaceX, Boeing and other aerospace companies — part of a broader effort to expand networking and industry engagement.
Outreach That Inspires
Duke AERO is committed to sharing its knowledge and passion for aerospace with the broader community. The team has worked with Boy Scout troops and local high school rocketry teams, as well as girls in STEM workshops,
where team members helped high school students build miniature rockets. “We do a lot with high school students,” Glasgow said, “just to increase exposure to aerospace and show them what’s possible.”
Growing Every Year
This year, the team is expanding opportunities for non-technical majors, especially through its growing corporate outreach and public relations efforts. “Even if you don’t have a technical background, you can still join. We’ll teach you what you need to know, or you can be part of our PR sub-team,” said Glasgow.
Looking Ahead
The team is already working on next year’s competition rocket while simultaneously developing a liquid engine. “We’re onboarding new members and diving into research,” Glasgow said. “It’s an exciting time to document and be part of the team.”
Space Series
