USC Rocket Propulsion Lab

The Rocket Propulsion Laboratory at the University of Southern California, The first student group to launch a rocket to space...But that was just the beginning

[USC Rocket Propulsion Lab @USCRPL]

Aftershock II has officially become the highest and fastest amateur rocket of all time! Following its successful launch to space on Oct. 20, 2024, an internal data review concluded a world-record altitude of 470,400 ft and a top speed of 5,283 ft/s (Mach 5.5).

[USC Rocket Propulsion Lab @USCRPL]

As this is an experimental test, it will prove to be exciting and provide insightful data to the team no matter the outcome.

[USC Rocket Propulsion Lab @USCRPL]

The University of Southern California Rocket Propulsion Lab is proud to announce our upcoming static fire test, Baja Blast, on Saturday, April 19th at the Reaction Research Society’s Mojave Test Site! This test will also be live-streamed on our youtube channel!

[USC Rocket Propulsion Lab @USCRPL]

Baja Blast is a liner-bonded, monolithic, finocyl-geometry solid propellant rocket motor being tested in a new type of carbon composite case, representing a large iteration on the lab's motor and case designs.

[USC Rocket Propulsion Lab @USCRPL]

The HI-AL mixture will allow us to increase the rate of motor production, introduce new grain geometries, and improve specific energy. More information about our results soon! (4/4)

[USC Rocket Propulsion Lab @USCRPL]

We are excited to announce the USCRPL 2025 Hi-AL Kiwi and first-ever Emu Characterization Campaigns! This test campaign comprises over fifteen solid propellant motor firings to characterize the new propellant Hi-AL. (1/4)

[USC Rocket Propulsion Lab @USCRPL]

Hi-AL is a proprietary high aluminum content propellant that USCRPL’s students manufacture at Exquadrum's facilities. With @exquadrum’s infrastructural support, Hi-AL has been in development for the better part of a decade. (3/4)

[USC @USC]

.@USCRPL, a student group, launched Aftershock II to 470K feet, breaking records as the highest civilian space rocket. Ranked by @arstechnica alongside SpaceX, Rocket Lab, & Firefly, these students are making aerospace history as a top US launch team. 🚀 https://t.co/r2s6NpTqeL

[Ars Technica @arstechnica]

Annual power ranking of US launch companies finds a shake-up at the bottom https://t.co/pbc3ni0Hx5

[USC @USC]

Trojan Neil Armstrong walked the moon; now @USCViterbi students are reaching new frontiers! @USCRPL's Aftershock II reached 470K feet, setting the world record for amateur rocketry and continuing their legacy as the first students to enter space! 🚀

🔗 https://t.co/5YO9p8fQr9

[USC Rocket Propulsion Lab @USCRPL]

@DJSnM Everyone at RPL is a huge fan of yours! Always welcome for a tour of our lab in LA if you're in town.

[USC Rocket Propulsion Lab @USCRPL]

More information and full data analysis white paper can be found on our website: https://t.co/XRbVYwsLL9

[USC Rocket Propulsion Lab @USCRPL]

Aftershock II has officially become the highest and fastest amateur rocket of all time! Following its successful launch to space on Oct. 20, 2024, an internal data review concluded a world-record altitude of 470,400 ft and a top speed of 5,283 ft/s (Mach 5.5).

[USC Rocket Propulsion Lab @USCRPL]

@j_d_noone ❤️

[USC Rocket Propulsion Lab @USCRPL]

@planet4589 8" Diameter, 150" length
Launched: 10/20/2024 18:24 UTC

[USC Rocket Propulsion Lab @USCRPL]

One year after Shockwave and 6 months after Aftershock I, we have successfully flown Aftershock II to space.

More details to come soon as we process the data!

[Space TFRs @SpaceTfrs]

Black Rock, NV temporary restriction:
From Saturday, October 19th, 2024 at 13:00 UTC to Sunday, October 20th, 2024 at 01:00 UTC
Altitude: From the surface up to space
https://t.co/8XrIxUWhZQ

[USC Rocket Propulsion Lab @USCRPL]

Targeting to launch Aftershock II in T-7 days from Blackrock Desert, NV.

Built in only 3 months, we’ve made several key improvements from ASI and we’re hopeful it will succeed!

Space or Nothing! ✌️

[USC Rocket Propulsion Lab @USCRPL]

Flight On!

[USC Rocket Propulsion Lab @USCRPL]

Let’s light this candle!