- Industry: Aerospace Engineering
- Manufacturing Processes Used: CNC Machining
- Challenges: Developing and refining bi-liquid propulsion systems and advanced rocket recovery technology for student-led space missions.
- Solutions: Partnering with Xometry enabled Propulse NTNU to manufacture highly precise CNC-machined components, including critical recovery mortars, allowing the team to successfully innovate their rocket design and safely deploy parachutes for secure landings. This collaboration helped them meet the ambitious goals of Project Valemon, pushing the boundaries of student rocketry.
In 2018, a group of space-enthusiastic students from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) came together to form Propulse NTNU. Driven by their shared passion for space exploration and a desire to gain hands-on engineering experience, they established Norway’s first student rocketry team. Their vision was not just to compete on the global stage but to push the boundaries of rocketry by designing and launching advanced rockets capable of reaching space. Driven by their student-led initiative, Propulse NTNU has consistently excelled in international rocketry competitions, with standout victories, including multiple 1st place finishes at EuRoC and SA Cup. Their continued success has earned them a spot among the elite teams worldwide, particularly with a top-three overall finish out of 152 teams in 2022.
The team’s bold mission is to develop and launch rockets that reach heights far beyond the tallest mountains, travelling thousands of kilometres per hour. With projects like Project Valemon, an innovative bi-liquid rocket, Propulse NTNU empowers students with real-world engineering experiences, preparing them for future contributions to the professional aerospace industry. This flagship project uses advanced propulsion systems and recovery technologies, representing a significant step toward their ultimate goal of launching a liquid-fueled rocket into space.
Pioneering Rocket Technology with Project Valemon
Propulse NTNU has developed several rockets over the years, beginning with solid motor rockets. However, the team soon recognised the limitations of solid motors, such as reduced control over thrust and efficiency. This prompted a pivot toward bi-liquid propulsion technology, which is commonly used in orbital rockets due to its higher efficiency and precision.
Bi-liquid propulsion offers significant advantages over solid motors. It allows for throttle control, better fuel efficiency, and greater flexibility during flight. By using ethanol and liquid oxygen (LOX) as propellants, Project Valemon achieves higher thrust levels and more controlled, reliable performance. What sets Valemon apart is its custom-designed coaxial-swirl injector, 3D printed from Inconel 625, a material known for its strength and resistance to high temperatures. This injector ensures efficient mixing of fuel and oxidiser, maximising the rocket’s performance.
Additionally, thanks to Xometry’s precision CNC machining, the rocket’s recovery system integrates CNC-machined mortars that enable rapid and reliable parachute deployment, ensuring the safe recovery of the rocket after each launch.
“Shifting to bi-liquid propulsion was a huge step for us. It opened up entirely new possibilities in terms of performance and design, but it also required precision manufacturing and engineering at a level we hadn’t dealt with before,” explains Joachim Jerg Schmidt, Chairman of Propulse NTNU.

Meet the Minds Powering Project Valemon’s Success
Propulse NTNU is a fully student-run organisation that currently consists of 64 active members, primarily engineering students from a wide range of disciplines including propulsion, mechanical design, avionics, DevOps, marketing, and business. The team is structured much like a professional organisation, with a board and discipline leaders overseeing different aspects of the project. Their collective efforts have led Propulse NTNU to achieve notable success in international competitions, including a top-3 finish at EuRoC (European Rocketry Challenge) in 2022.

Beyond technical achievements, Propulse NTNU serves as a hands-on learning platform where students can not only design and build rockets but also handle every step of the engineering process—from research and development to production and launch operations.
Mastering the Design and Production Journey
At Propulse NTNU, every new rocket project kicks off in September, aligning with the academic year and setting the stage for months of intense innovation and engineering. After a selective recruitment process, new members undergo comprehensive training, immersing themselves in advanced propulsion systems, materials science, and aerodynamics. By the time the team begins preliminary concept development, every student is fully equipped to contribute to the project.
“One of the first major milestones occurs in November with the initial design review. This critical phase allows us to rigorously test and refine our designs, ensuring every component—from the engine to the recovery system—meets our exacting standards,” explains Joachim Jerg Schmidt, Chairman of Propulse NTNU.
Once the designs are approved, the prototyping phase begins. Initial prototypes are typically 3D-printed using materials like PLA or PC to simulate parts and test their functionality. The team experiments with different iterations, fine-tuning components and validating the designs in real-world conditions.

By February, Propulse NTNU partners with industry-leading sponsors like Xometry to manufacture final parts using advanced techniques like CNC machining and additive manufacturing. This marks a pivotal stage where precision-engineered components, such as the rocket’s recovery system and propulsion feed system, are brought to life. The complexity of manufacturing these components — especially with materials like Inconel 625 and aerospace-grade aluminium — requires flawless execution to ensure performance under extreme conditions.
The final assembly phase typically begins in July, where the team integrates all components into a fully functional rocket. This is no simple task: the team meticulously assembles the propulsion, recovery, avionics, and structural systems, ensuring they function seamlessly together. Testing occurs in parallel, with each subsystem subjected to simulations and real-world trials to verify performance.
The ability to take a rocket from concept to launch within such a tight timeline is a testament to Propulse NTNU’s exceptional coordination, technical expertise, and collaborative spirit. Their engineering rigour and partnership with manufacturing experts like Xometry enable them to achieve success even under the most challenging conditions.

How Xometry Played a Key Role in the Rocket’s Success
Xometry’s collaboration with Propulse NTNU was crucial in manufacturing the high-precision components needed for Project Valemon’s success. The recovery mortars, essential for reliable parachute deployment, were manufactured to meet the demanding standards required for the rocket’s safe landing.
These recovery mortars, manufactured by Xometry, were made from 5-axis CNC-machined aluminium, a process chosen for its ability to achieve the required strength and precision. The mortars had to meet strict specifications to perform reliably under the demanding conditions of rocket flight, including the rapid deployment of parachutes at high speeds.
The success of these components gave the Propulse NTNU team the confidence to focus on other important aspects of the rocket’s design, knowing that the recovery system was reliable. “The quality of the parts exceeded all expectations,” says Schmidt. “Xometry’s ability to deliver high-precision components within a short lead time gave us the confidence to focus on other critical aspects of the project, knowing that our recovery system was in good hands.”
The Future of Propulse NTNU and Project Valemon
Propulse NTNU’s ambitions do not stop with Project Valemon. Looking ahead to Project 2025, the team plans to further advance their bi-liquid propulsion systems and continue pushing the limits of what student-led engineering projects can achieve. Their ultimate goal is to launch a sounding rocket into space from Norwegian soil, an achievement that would set new standards for student rocketry.
Looking ahead, the team plans to build on their success, relying on partners like Xometry to provide the precision and quality necessary to push the boundaries of student-led aerospace innovation.
About Propulse NTNU: Propulse NTNU is Norway’s first student-led rocketry team, based at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). With a passion for advancing space exploration, the team designs, builds, and launches cutting-edge rockets like Valemon. Supported by industry partners and academic institutions, Propulse NTNU continues to push the boundaries of student-led aerospace innovation, setting new standards in rocketry and space technology.
Website: https://www.propulse.no/
Contact: contact@propulsentnu.no
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