Solid Propulsion

Who We Are:

Welcome to the Solid Propulsion page! We do everything and anything related to solid rocket motors. Our goals are to design and create powerful, efficient, and safe student-designed rocket engines, while also providing our members with opportunities to learn and apply fundamental engineering concepts in chemistry, structures, optimization, and more.

What We Do:

The Solid Propulsion Team is responsible for the design, manufacturing, testing, and implementing of solid rocket motors from the ground up. We start by optimizing and characterizing a rocket propellant formula with simulations software and calculations, then we manufacture the propellant into a solid fuel grain that can go into a rocket, fabricate the necessary hardware and structures to support the engine, and test our rocket engines using our proprietary test stand technology.

What We’ve Done:

The Solid Propulsion Team has:

  • Designed and simulated hot-fires for several solid propellant formulations

  • Began work with composites manufacturing to create carbon fiber motor casings

  • Started the design process for a new rocket motor test stand

  • Hot-fired a 54 mm rocket motor to test our custom-built student-designed rocket nozzle

  • Hot-fired a 38 mm fully student-researched and designed (SRAD) rocket motor

  • Designed a 75 mm motor and plan to hot fire in 2024, using our test stand SETS_3

What We’re Working On:

The Solid Propulsion Team has ambitious goals for the next year. Here are our main objectives:

  • Build an all-new, sophisticated, and robust custom test stand for testing more powerful motors and accurately measuring data

  • Improve our composites manufacturing capabilities and create more complex and durable motor structures

  • Expand our understanding of solid motor mechanics and grain pattern theory

  • Design, Build, and Test a Big-Ass Motor (B.A.M.)

  • Build and fly a rocket powered by one of our student-researched and designed motors

Why Should You Join Us?

Learn Fundamental Engineering Skills

Propulsion is a highly complex and sometimes literally volatile field of engineering. As such, members will have ample opportunities to learn, practice, and apply crucial engineering design skills as they lay out plans, identify problems, collaborate to address risks, and put their solutions to the test. Being involved in Solid Propulsion brings abundant exposure to applied concepts in chemistry, mechanics, aerodynamics, just to name a few. In a fully hands-on environment, students can grow and evolve their capabilities, both as engineers and as members of a team.

Create Lasting Friendships

Many long-lasting bonds are forged in the fires of adversity, and the Solid Propulsion Team offers plenty of heat. Sharing an investment in a greater mission is a surefire way to build and maintain fulfilling connections with your peers, and to make memories that will last a lifetime.

Be a Part of Something Great

The Solid Propulsion Team may not achieve all of its goals tomorrow, in a month, or even in the coming years. However, through our resilient dedication to our objectives, we will overcome any setback or obstacle with hard work and patience. When we do reach our ultimate goal—B.A.M.—you will be proud to have been along for the ride.

Leadership