Press Release
Team milestone and official announcement.
Georgia Tech’s First Hybrid Rocket Engine Hotfire
Propulsive Landers @ Georgia Tech completed a hybrid rocket engine hotfire which officially marks the start of our engine validation campaign toward tethered hovers.
Summary
On November 9, 2025, Propulsive Landers @ Georgia Tech (GTPL) successfully hotfired Georgia Tech's first hybrid rocket engine in history. This milestone supports GTPL’s broader goal of developing autonomous systems that enable a self-landing rocket and advances the team toward upcoming tethered hover demonstrations.
Details
The hotfire represents a major validation step for GTPL’s propulsion development, including test-stand operations, instrumentation, and procedures required for safe repeatable testing. Though there were sensor anomalies in this hotfire which led to thrust data being lost, plan for fixes are in place for when we return for Spring Semester. The team will use then use data from this campaign to refine performance, improve reliability, and prepare for the next phase of demonstrations.
What’s next
- Continue hotfire testing to expand the validated operating envelope
- Integrate propulsion results into the vehicle-level test plan for tethered hovers
- Progress ground systems, avionics, and controls to support hover demonstrations
Links
- Media page: gtpropulsivelanders.org/project.html
- Sponsors: gtpropulsivelanders.org/sponsors.html