Content
About
Rocket Propulsion Group (RPG) is an Aerospace team focused on the development and research of rocket motors. The team's goal for the 2025-26 academic year is to complete the construction of a 38mm solid propellant rocket motor and perform a successful static fire test, using the RNX-57 propellant to be mixed in the spring. The team's long-term goal is to compete in New Mexico in the Student Research and Design category.
Last year, RPG mixed its first batch of propellant, which was a mixture designed by MIT called Cherry Limeade, and conducted its first small scale tests of rocket motors that were powered by powdered sugar.
What goes into making a rocket motor?
Making rockets and doing rocket science is exciting, but how do we go about it? RPG's development can be divided into a few subteams:
1. Casing Design
The Motor Casing subteam is primarily responsible for drafting and fabricating the motor case. Tasks include doing calculations (lots of them!) based on given parameters to determine motor geometries, simulating propellants in openMotor to get nozzle geometries, and using CAD to actually make the motor!
The subteam uses concepts of machine design to ensure that the case can sustain in specific pressures and achieve a target amount of thrust through nozzle geometry.
2. Mixing and Testing
Leads
Project Lead: Josh Finke
Mixing and Testing Lead: Kaita Baird
Motor Casing Lead: Yen Do
Electronics and Programming Lead: Grant Gardner