Nittany Rocket Lab’s First Hybrid Rocket Engine
What is Dualis?
Dualis will be the first hybrid rocket engine designed, built, and test-fired by Nittany Rocket Lab’s hybrids division.
The engine will use a liquid nitrous oxide oxidizer with a solid HTPB fuel grain, with all engine components built by the team of ~20.
The goal of the project is to familiarize the team with hybrid rocket systems, laying the foundation to eventually to build a flight ready hybrid engine for NRL’s IREC competition rocket.
As of Fall 2025, the team is finishing the last touches on the project’s manufacturing phase. The team’s goal is to complete the first test-fire of Dualis early Spring 2026.
Meet the Team
Engine
The Engine subteam is responsible for the design, manufacturing, and testing of the components directly on the engine. This includes machining the engine top bulkhead, the nozzle, injector, and igniters.
Fluid Systems
The Fluid Systems team is responsible for designing, building, and testing the high-pressure plumbing line. This includes building lines with braided hoses, rigid tubing, valves, and creating panels to hold them.
Electronics
The Electronics team is responsible for designing, building, and testing the electronic suite needed for data acquisition and safe activation of the engine’s several systems. This includes getting thermocouple, pressure transducer, and load cell data, as well as remote engine startup.
Team Leads
Tien Rattanasoontorn
Project Manager / Fluid Systems Lead
Tyler Zoldak
Engine / Propulsion Lead
Alexander Holton
Electronics / Systems Lead