Uploaded March 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
What does it really take to safely launch hundreds of student-built rockets?
In Episode 3 of ProtoPod, we sit down with Jim Jarvis, Range Safety Officer for ESRA and the International Rocket Engineering Competition (IREC). Jim is the person responsible for ensuring that every rocket launched at one of the world’s largest student aerospace competitions meets strict safety standards.
From risk assessment and flight approvals to mentoring teams on real-world engineering discipline, Jim gives us a behind-the-scenes look at how safety and innovation go hand in hand.
In this episode, we cover:
- What IREC is really like behind the scenes
- The role of a Range Safety Officer (RSO)
- How safety scales with 150+ global teams
- Common mistakes student teams make
- Why safety is a prerequisite for innovation, not a limitation
🚀 Whether you’re into aerospace, engineering, rockets, or building things that actually work in the real world, this episode is packed with insight.
🎙️ Subscribe for more conversations with builders, engineers, and industry leaders shaping the future.
#rocketscience #riskassessment #aerospaceengineering #irec #rocketlaunch #engineeringlife #stem #spaceinnovation #spacetechnology #techpodcast #futureengineers #protocase #protospacemfg #protopod
What does it really take to safely launch hundreds of student-built rockets?
In Episode 3 of ProtoPod, we sit down with Jim Jarvis, Range Safety Officer for ESRA and the International Rocket Engineering Competition (IREC). Jim is the person responsible for ensuring that every rocket launched at one of the world’s largest student aerospace competitions meets strict safety standards.
From risk assessment and flight approvals to mentoring teams on real-world engineering discipline, Jim gives us a behind-the-scenes look at how safety and innovation go hand in hand.
In this episode, we cover:
- What IREC is really like behind the scenes
- The role of a Range Safety Officer (RSO)
- How safety scales with 150+ global teams
- Common mistakes student teams make
- Why safety is a prerequisite for innovation, not a limitation
🚀 Whether you’re into aerospace, engineering, rockets, or building things that actually work in the real world, this episode is packed with insight.
🎙️ Subscribe for more conversations with builders, engineers, and industry leaders shaping the future.
#rocketscience #riskassessment #aerospaceengineering #irec #rocketlaunch #engineeringlife #stem #spaceinnovation #spacetechnology #techpodcast #futureengineers #protocase #protospacemfg #protopod
