MPDG
Hybrid Rocket Engine Development
Manchester Propulsion Development Group
Website under construction. Exciting updates are on the way—stay tuned! (All information is Up to date)
Manchester Propulsion Development Group
This hybrid rocket project has been in development since 2023 and is aimed at participating in national-level competitions. Our 13-member team is organised into specialised sub-teams, each responsible for a core aspect of the rocket’s design. The team recently saw success at Race2Space 2025, where our E2 engine placed 2nd in its category.
Develop and test a custom self-pressurising feed system integrated with our upgraded hybrid rocket engine. This will require a full-stack hot-fire test which will be the first of its kind for both the team and the society.
This year’s full-stack testing is a key step toward our long-term goal of launching a complete vehicle powered by our own hybrid rocket engine, ultimately aiming to claim the UK hybrid rocket altitude record.
E1
E2
TBA
Images from Testing with ProtoLaunch at Westcott Venture Park as part of Race2Space in July 2025
The Race2Space International Propulsion Competition challenges university teams to design, build, and hot-fire liquid or hybrid rocket engines, serving as the UK's leading student competition for developing propulsion engineers.
Protolaunch is a UK-based rocket propulsion company specializing in the design, development, and testing of novel, "green" chemical rocket engines for micro-launchers and in-orbit satellite applications.
Developing a hybrid rocket for the Race2Space: National Propulsion Competition offers students intensive, high-value experience in propulsion technology. Participants gain essential skills by managing the full lifecycle of the engine, from design and advanced manufacturing through to live hot-fire testing and rigorous systems integration. This focus on practical application and adherence to professional documentation standards directly creates job-ready engineers, significantly boosting their career prospects in the demanding space and aerospace industries.