History of Rocket Motor Development

In AQUILO’s early years, the rocket motors used on AQUILO I and II were designed and manufactured by DARE, the TU Delft rocketry team. However, with AQUILO III, the team took a bold step toward in-house development. Intern Tommy Borsboom designed the PB-51 rocket motor, a custom-built system created specifically for AQUILO with assistance from Leo Deelman (NERO).

This transition came with its challenges. The PB-51 motor suffered a structural failure upon ignition, resulting in the loss of the AQUILO III launch vehicle. However, the follow-up mission, AQUILO III.V, was a success from a propulsion standpoint. Since then, the PB-51 has been flown multiple times, proving itself as a reliable and capable motor.

Looking ahead, the Propulsion Department is actively using and developing three new motors:

• PB-51B – A derivative of the PB-51, designed for AQUILO VIII

• PB-82 – Another PB-51 variant, also for AQUILO VIII

• RE-1 – A completely new design for AQUILO VII

In addition, the team is exploring the potential of hybrid and liquid/gaseous rocket engines, laying the groundwork for AQUILO’s future in high-performance propulsion technology.