University of California, San Diego Hybrid Rocket Project 

Who We Are

The University of California, San Diego (UCSD) Hybrid Rocket team was established in 2006 by a group of aerospace, mechanical, and other engineering students to increase their knowledge of modern rocketry as well as to bring pride to the UCSD engineering program through participation in a hybrid rocketry competition.  This year we aim to enter a competition being held by the Experimental Sounding Rocket Association (ESRA) in June. 

Why Hybrids?

             A hybrid rocket engine combines the high performance of a liquid rocket with the reliability of a solid motor. In a hybrid motor a liquid oxidizer, such as nitrous oxide, is injected into a solid fuel grain, usually made of a rubber such as HTPB, and then ignited. As both materials are inert unless properly combined and ignited, a hybrid engine poses much less danger than a liquid engine.