Algonquin College’s AC Rocketry club recently returned from Timmins, Ont., after an impressive showing at the 2026 Launch Canada Challenge. As the first college team ever to compete in the national event’s history, the 11-member team earned widespread recognition while demonstrating that college students can compete alongside some of Canada’s top university rocketry programs.
The team’s rocket, Monarch, delivered exceptional performance across two successful flights. On its first launch, Monarch reached an altitude of 23,000 feet and achieved Mach 2, more than twice the speed of sound. Following a successful recovery operation, the team launched the same rocket a second time, reaching 16,000 feet and Mach 1.3. The accomplishment is particularly noteworthy in a competition where many rockets are effectively single-use vehicles. Successfully locating, recovering and re-flying Monarch highlighted the team’s engineering expertise, operational planning and dedication throughout the event.
The team’s efforts, professionalism, can-do attitude, and camaraderie earned them Launch Canada Spirit Award and cemented their position as the top rookie team. Monarch’s advanced carbon fibre construction also drew significant praise from competitors and judges alike with many commending the quality of the rocket’s design, manufacturing and overall execution. The recognition reflects months of work by students from a wide variety of Algonquin College programs including: Mechanical Engineering Technology, Electrical Engineering Technology, Electromechanical Engineering Technician, Bachelor of Engineering (Automation and Robotics), Computer Engineering Technology, Videography, Digital Marketing, Photography and Auto Body and Collision Damage Repair.
“For us, this competition was about proving what college students can achieve when given the opportunity to tackle ambitious engineering challenges,” said AC Rocketry Team Captain Nathaniel Rolland. “We’re proud to have represented Algonquin College on a national stage and to have shown that our students can innovate, compete and succeed at the highest levels.”
With two successful flights, a national award and recognition from the broader Canadian rocketry community, AC Rocketry’s performance at Launch Canada 2026 marks another major milestone for the rapidly growing student team and further strengthens Algonquin College’s reputation for hands-on STEM education and innovation.