"Propulsion" refers to the subteam that provides the systems necessary to accelerate the vehicle.
MIT Rocket Team operates both commercial and custom propulsion systems.
Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) motors are proven systems, purchased from reputable vendors. They can be flown at all launches with a suitable waiver. Find out more about them here. The team also to pursues custom propulsion systems. For these motors, we build all components in-house including motor hardware and propellant. These motors can only be flown at Tripoli affiliated clubs or independent launch events.
The development of our in-house propulsion started in the fall of 2015 with an extensive review of local, federal, and University regulations on making rocket motors. Over the summer of 2016 several students conducted research on Project Firefly. Project Firefly graciously allowed us to develop our fuel in tandem with their research. We gained access to their test facilities in exchange for access to our mixing facilities and storage depots. This first propellant formulation was called Xaphan Blue.
Starting in the fall of 2017 as part of Project Hermes, the propulsion team developed a new series of propellant formulations including Ocean Water, Cherry Limeade, Kickstart, and Angry Goat. These propellants have each been built off of the knowledge the team gained from their precursors and have been our steps towards high performance, low cost, a pourable solid propellant for use in 4-6" diameter motors in the 10-100 kilonewton-second range.
In 2023, Project Prometheus was born! A two-stage Rocket with in-flight ignition that will let us prepare for the Spaceport Competition. Propulsion's current mission is to develop the motors for the Prometheus Booster & Sustainer, utilizing our newest propellant, Deimos, designed from the lessons learned in making Angry Goat.