MPDG
Hybrid Rocket Engine Development
Manchester Propulsion Development Group
Manchester Propulsion Development Group
The Manchester Propulsion Development Group focuses on designing, building, and testing rocket engines, giving students hands‑on experience with one of the most exciting and challenging areas of aerospace engineering. Our work covers hybrid engines, feed systems, ignition, instrumentation, static‑fire testing and integration. Propulsion is a great place for students who want to understand how rockets actually produce thrust and learn the engineering behind high‑energy systems.
This year we are developing our third generation hybrid rocket engine, building on several years of design improvements and test data. Students work on injector design, combustion behaviour, feed systems, ignition hardware, and instrumentation. It’s a practical, engineering‑heavy project with real static‑fire testing.
The hybrid engine we successfully tested last year is now being integrated into a rocket for launch. This project focuses on adapting the engine for flight, including mounting, structural interfaces, avionics connections, and safety systems. It gives students experience with the full process of taking an engine from the test stand to a real launch vehicle.
This year we are beginning work on electric propulsion, exploring systems such as ion thrusters and Hall‑effect concepts. Students learn about plasma physics, high‑voltage electronics, and low‑thrust propulsion. It’s an early‑stage R&D project perfect for those interested in spacecraft propulsion and advanced concepts.
Propulsion offers rare, hands‑on experience with real rocket engines. Students gain:
practical engineering and system integration skills
understanding of thermodynamics, combustion, fluids, and plasma physics
experience handling and designing high‑energy systems safely
teamwork, communication, and technical problem‑solving
portfolio‑ready work that supports careers in aerospace, research, and engineering
It’s one of the most technically rich and rewarding areas of ManSEDS.