For anyone curious about how we get off the ground, and where we go next.
A home for spaceflight enthusiasts
Mayfly is the Ulster University Students’ Union Spaceflight Society, for people fascinated by launch vehicles, orbital mechanics, mission design and the future of exploration. Whether you want to build something, learn something or simply watch a launch in good company, there’s a place for you here.
What we do
Talks and speakers
Guest speakers and member-led sessions on everything from rocket propulsion to the latest missions.
Build projects
Hands-on work in small teams, from rocketry to engines and test vehicles.
Launch watch nights
Live launches on the big screen, with commentary and plenty of snacks.
Coming up
- Date to be announced
Welcome meeting
Meet the committee, hear the plans for the year and tell us what you’d like to do.
- Date to be announced
Launch watch night
Join us to watch a live launch together.
- Date to be announced
Guest talk
A speaker from the space industry shares their story and answers your questions.
Our sponsors
Want to support the society? Get in touch.
Come to a meeting
No experience needed. Membership is ÂŁ10.
Ongoing projects
What we’re building right now. Tap a project to see what each team is working on.
Hopper
A reusable test vehicle that lifts off, hovers and lands again, to prove out guidance and control.
Currently working on
Airframe and landing leg design
Guidance and control software
Test planning
Liquid engine
Designing and testing a liquid-propellant rocket engine, from injector to nozzle.
Currently working on
Injector design
Propellant feed system
Test stand planning
Rocketry
Building and launching rockets, from first flights to more ambitious designs.
Currently working on
Next rocket design
Avionics and recovery
Launch preparation
The team
The committee who keep the society running. Say hello at any meeting.
- Events and Activities Rep
Dylan Cole
Chairs the society and plans our events, talks and launch nights.
- Communication Rep
Sophia Totten
Acts as secretary, keeping members informed and running our communications.
- Finance Rep
Alan Stefanski
Acts as treasurer, looking after the budget, sponsorship and funding.
- EDI and Wellbeing Rep
Lauren Semple
Makes sure the society is welcoming and accessible to everyone.
- Social Media and Publicity
Eimear
Runs our social channels and spreads the word.
Why Mayfly?
The story behind our name.
Our name comes from a piece of Northern Ireland aviation history. In 1910, Lilian Bland, a sports journalist and photographer, built a biplane called the Mayfly in the stables of her home in Carnmoney. Inspired by the gulls she had been photographing, she tested it as a glider on Carnmoney Hill before fitting an engine, and made her first powered flight that August.
She is credited as the first woman to design and build her own aeroplane, and she estimated the whole project cost less than ÂŁ200.
We like to think that’s the spirit of Mayfly: pick something ambitious and build it yourself.
Learning resources
New to spaceflight? Start here.
- Our GitHub
Mayfly on GitHub
Code and project files from our teams.
- Getting started
NASA
Mission news, explainers and educational material.
- Europe
European Space Agency
Missions and learning material from ESA.
- Free courses
MIT OpenCourseWare
Free university course materials, including aerospace and engineering.
- Student community
UKSEDS
A UK student space community with projects and events.
- Rocketry
UK Rocketry Association
The UK rocketry community and its safety guidance.
Safety
Rockets and engines are exciting because they’re powerful, so we take safety seriously.
- Plan first
Risk assessments
Builds, tests and launches are planned in advance, with the risks identified and approved before any work begins.
- Supervision
Never alone
Hazardous work only happens with the right supervision and approval, and never on your own.
- Training
Shown before you start
You’ll be shown how to use tools and equipment properly before you use them.
- The rules
University and rocketry codes
We follow university and Students’ Union rules, and established rocketry safety codes for launches.
- Speak up
Anyone can stop an activity
If something doesn’t look safe, say so. No questions asked.
Socials
Follow along, ask questions and meet other members.
- Instagram
Follow us on Instagram
Photos and updates from meetings and launch nights.
- Discord
Join the server
Members-only chat. You’ll get access once you’ve bought your membership.
- YouTube
Watch our talks
Recordings of guest speakers and project updates.
- Email
hello@example.com
For questions, sponsorship and collaborations.
How to join
Membership costs £10 and is bought through the university’s society website.
- Step 1
Buy your membership
Sign up through the university’s society website. Membership is £10.
- Step 2
Join the Discord
The Discord is for paid members only, so you can join once you’ve bought your membership.
- Step 3
Come to a meeting
Meet the committee and other members, and see what we’re working on.
- Step 4
Pick a project
Join the hopper, liquid engine or rocketry team, or come along and see what appeals.