Propulsive Landers develops an integrated autonomous guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) system for hybrid rockets, enabling fully autonomous vertical take‑off, hover, and soft landing. The student‑led team designs, builds, and validates both the hybrid propulsion hardware and real‑time flight software through rapid prototyping and ground‑based test campaigns, offering modular, open‑source technology for aerospace research, industry partners, and educational programs.
Funding
Funding not disclosed
Founders
Product
Problem
Developing reliable autonomous guidance and control for self‑landing rockets is challenging due to the complexity of hybrid propulsion, the need for precise vertical take‑off and landing (VTOL) capabilities, and limited access to rapid prototyping and testing resources.
Solution
Propulsive Landers creates an integrated autonomous system that combines real‑time guidance, navigation, and control algorithms with a hybrid rocket propulsion platform to enable fully autonomous vertical take‑off and landing. The team designs, builds, and validates the hardware and software in a student‑led environment, leveraging rapid prototyping cycles and ground‑based test campaigns such as hot‑fire and tether‑hover flights. By iterating on engine performance and flight control software, they demonstrate reusable launch vehicle technologies that can be transferred to larger aerospace programs. Their approach emphasizes modularity and open‑source documentation to accelerate development and reduce risk for future rocket projects.
Target Audience
Primary users are aerospace research labs, industry partners developing reusable launch vehicles, and educational institutions seeking hands‑on experience with autonomous rocket systems.
Features
- Autonomous guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) stack optimized for hybrid rocket dynamics
- Integrated hybrid propulsion system with hot‑fire testing and performance validation
- Real‑time flight software capable of precise vertical take‑off, hover, and soft landing maneuvers
- Rapid prototyping workflow using 3D‑printed structures and modular avionics for quick iteration
- Ground test campaign infrastructure including tether‑hover rigs and telemetry for data‑driven refinement
- Open documentation and modular architecture to facilitate technology transfer to external projects