Dill Rocket Engine
Faculty Mentor Name
Andy Gerrick
Format Preference
Poster
Abstract
The Dill Engine Project investigates the design, manufacture, and testing of a novel splash-plate injector rocket engine intended for reliable, low-cost propulsion in amateur and collegiate rocketry. Splash-plate injectors operate by impinging a liquid propellant jet onto an angled plate, spreading the flow into a thin sheet that atomizes, mixes with the opposing propellant, and combusts efficiently. Despite their simplicity and potential performance benefits, splash-plate injectors have seen limited modern experimental study.
This project aims to demonstrate that splash-plate injectors can provide robust, repeatable, and efficient engine performance while significantly reducing design and manufacturing complexity. The injector employs a segmented splash-plate design, allowing straightforward modification of plate geometry, materials, chamber contours, and propellant combinations to support future experimental campaigns.
The Dill Engine is being developed as a reusable liquid rocket engine with a target static fire duration of at least 10 seconds. Performance, durability, and repeatability will be evaluated through ground testing, with results documented in a comprehensive final design report intended for public release. The project also seeks to compete and collaborate in the Race2Space UK student rocketry competition, leveraging access to Airborne Engineering’s test facilities. By addressing a gap in accessible injector research, this effort aims to advance practical propulsion knowledge and provide a valuable reference for collegiate and amateur rocketry teams pursuing affordable, high-performance liquid engines.
Dill Rocket Engine
The Dill Engine Project investigates the design, manufacture, and testing of a novel splash-plate injector rocket engine intended for reliable, low-cost propulsion in amateur and collegiate rocketry. Splash-plate injectors operate by impinging a liquid propellant jet onto an angled plate, spreading the flow into a thin sheet that atomizes, mixes with the opposing propellant, and combusts efficiently. Despite their simplicity and potential performance benefits, splash-plate injectors have seen limited modern experimental study.
This project aims to demonstrate that splash-plate injectors can provide robust, repeatable, and efficient engine performance while significantly reducing design and manufacturing complexity. The injector employs a segmented splash-plate design, allowing straightforward modification of plate geometry, materials, chamber contours, and propellant combinations to support future experimental campaigns.
The Dill Engine is being developed as a reusable liquid rocket engine with a target static fire duration of at least 10 seconds. Performance, durability, and repeatability will be evaluated through ground testing, with results documented in a comprehensive final design report intended for public release. The project also seeks to compete and collaborate in the Race2Space UK student rocketry competition, leveraging access to Airborne Engineering’s test facilities. By addressing a gap in accessible injector research, this effort aims to advance practical propulsion knowledge and provide a valuable reference for collegiate and amateur rocketry teams pursuing affordable, high-performance liquid engines.