USC Rocket Propulsion Laboratory
USC Rocket Propulsion Laboratory (USCRPL) is a USC undergraduate research organization founded in 2005 that designs, builds, and tests experimental student-built rockets. It holds world records for amateur rocket altitude (470,400 ft), velocity, and motor power, and was the first collegiate team to reach space in 2019.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2005
- HeadquartersLos Angeles, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What USC Rocket Propulsion Laboratory does
USC Rocket Propulsion Laboratory (USCRPL) is an undergraduate student research organization founded in 2005 at the University of Southern California with the stated goal of launching a student-designed and built rocket into space. The laboratory designs, builds, and tests experimental solid-propellant rocket vehicles, propulsion systems, composite structures, thermal protection systems, and custom avionics. In 2019, USCRPL became the first collegiate team to pass the Kármán line with Traveler IV (339,800 ft), and in 2024 set the amateur rocketry altitude record at 470,400 ft and velocity record at 5,283 ft/s with the Aftershock II vehicle powered by the GEM8-R4000 motor (51,529 lbf-s total impulse).
The organization's technology portfolio is fully proprietary and fabricated in-house by student engineers. Core capabilities include custom APCP (ammonium perchlorate composite propellant) formulations, filament-wound carbon-epoxy motor cases, silicone-based ablative and cork thermal protection systems, and the HAMSTER avionics suite — a custom 5-PCB stack with FPGA-based sensor fusion, in-house Guidestar GNSS receiver (bypassing CoCom altitude limitations), and the Lightspeed Rangefinder for ground-station triangulation. The current development project, Daybreak, is an 8-inch space vehicle designed to carry payloads from external university teams, building on the CHASER payload capsule first flown on Malibu in October 2025.
USCRPL does not generate revenue from products or services. As a university research organization under USC, it is funded through institutional allocations from the USC Viterbi School of Engineering, corporate sponsorships from aerospace companies including Boeing, SpaceX, Blue Origin, Northrop Grumman, Aerojet Rocketdyne, Aerospace Corporation, Relativity Space, and L3Harris, government research partnership with the Air Force Research Laboratory, and individual donations. The organization has 51-100 student members organized across 25+ specialized technical and operational roles, and operates launch activities from Mojave Test Area, Spaceport America, and other U.S. ranges.
USC Rocket Propulsion Laboratory firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- USC Rocket Propulsion Laboratory
- Legal name
- USC Rocket Propulsion Laboratory
- Website
- https://uscrpl.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2005
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- USC Rocket Propulsion Laboratory (USCRPL) is a USC undergraduate research organization founded in 2005 that designs, builds, and tests experimental student-built rockets. It holds world records for amateur rocket altitude (470,400 ft), velocity, and motor power, and was the first collegiate team to reach space in 2019.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
USC Rocket Propulsion Laboratory industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Experimental Rocketry
- NAICS
- Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Propulsion Unit and Propulsion Unit Parts Manufacturing (336415), Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414)
- SIC
- Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760), Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Rocket Engines (Solid) (IMABADAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Propulsion Test, Integration & Certification Services (IMABADAN), Spacecraft & Satellites (Civil/Commercial) (IMABACAB), Avionics Test, Simulation & Calibration Equipment (IMABAFAN), Rocket & Missile Propellants (IMAEALAF)
Keywords
Where USC Rocket Propulsion Laboratory is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Los Angeles
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
USC Rocket Propulsion Laboratory business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Marketing channels3 records
USC Rocket Propulsion Laboratory product offering
Product offeringCore offering
USC Rocket Propulsion Laboratory (USCRPL) designs, builds, and tests experimental student-built rockets and solid rocket propulsion systems at the University of Southern California. The organization develops flight vehicles, custom solid rocket motors, composite airframes, avionics, thermal protection, and recovery systems, conducting static motor tests and high-altitude launches to advance amateur and student rocketry capabilities. USCRPL does not sell products commercially; its outputs are research missions, world-record flights, and technology development funded by USC and corporate sponsors.
Product overview
USC Rocket Propulsion Laboratory (USCRPL) is an undergraduate rocket research group operating as a product portfolio of experimental rocket vehicles, propulsion systems, and avionics. The portfolio includes current projects (Daybreak space vehicle) and past flight vehicles ranging from record-breaking space shot rockets (Aftershock II at 470,400 ft, Traveler IV at 339,800 ft) to development platforms (Malibu, Fireball, Jawbone, CTRL+V, Poise) and motor test programs (GEM8-R4000, Graveler II, Firebiter). Supporting infrastructure includes the HAMSTER avionics system (custom 5-PCB flight computer) and CHASER payload capsule. The organization has achieved world records in altitude (470,400 ft), velocity (5,283 ft/s), and motor power (51,529 lbf-s) in student and amateur rocketry. USCRPL's product architecture integrates propulsion (custom APCP propellant motors), structures (filament-wound carbon epoxy cases), thermal protection (silicone-based ablative and cork TPS), recovery (dual-deployment parachutes), and avionics (HAMSTER with FPGA sensor fusion) into a unified space access capability.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Daybreak Current project representing the culmination of iterative design integrating technologies flight-proven on Malibu into the 8-inch form factor validated by Aftershock II. Designed to carry payloads from other university teams, marking USCRPL's progression toward a fully in-house space program.
- Aftershock II 8-inch diameter space shot vehicle that achieved 470,400 ft apogee, breaking amateur altitude record. Features GEM8-R4000 motor producing 51,529 lbf-s total impulse, 4,220 lbf max thrust, filament-wound carbon epoxy case, and ablative thermal protection systems. Total vehicle mass 322 lbm with 200 lbm propellant.
- Malibu 6-inch diameter development vehicle that serves as a platform for testing technologies for future high-performance rockets. Features honeycomb core fins, dual-deployment recovery system, and boattail. Successfully launched October 2025 carrying the CHASER payload capsule.
- Traveler IV 8-inch diameter vehicle and the first fully student-designed and student-built vehicle to pass the Kármán line, reaching 339,800 ft with 90% confidence. Set record for highest altitude by student-built vehicle in 2019.
- GEM8-R4000 Motor (Shockwave) Most powerful solid rocket motor ever fired by students. Produces 4,220 lbf max thrust, 51,529 lbf-s total impulse, 258 s specific impulse. Features 16.3 s burn time with 199 lbm propellant mass. World record holder for most powerful solid motor in student and amateur rocketry.
- CHASER Payload Capsule USCRPL's first dedicated payload capsule designed to separate from rocket at apogee and recover separately. Carries integrated avionics system recording flight data and managing recovery deployment, plus onboard camera for video capture.
- HAMSTER Avionics System Custom in-house flight computer consisting of 5 PCBs: power board, connector board, Lightspeed Rangefinder transponder, Guidestar GNSS receiver, sensor board, and integrator board with FPGA for sensor fusion.
- Fathom II 6-inch diameter vehicle launched spring 2017 from Spaceport America. Reached 144,000 ft apogee, setting record for highest altitude by student-built vehicle. Qualified aerodynamics of space shot vehicle.
Quantifiable outcome
- 470,400 ft altitude - highest amateur rocket record
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use USC Rocket Propulsion Laboratory
Customer profileSegments1 record
Ideal customer profiles3 records
USC Rocket Propulsion Laboratory technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature10 records
USC Rocket Propulsion Laboratory partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Reaction Research Society (RRS)coreProvides access to Mojave Test Area (MTA) launch facilities. Collaborated on Fathom II record launch from Spaceport America. Key operational partner for launches and static fires.
- Spaceport AmericacoreHost facility for Fathom II, Traveler IV, and Aftershock II launches. Provided launch infrastructure and operational support for record-breaking flights.
- BPS.spacecoreCollaborated with USCRPL on CTRL+V launch during COVID-19 pandemic to ensure safe launch operations while flying BPS.space's AVA avionics unit as payload.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
USC Rocket Propulsion Laboratory competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- MIT Rocketry Team: MIT's student rocketry organization competing in high-power and amateur rocketry competitions. Closely comparable structure: undergraduate-led propulsion, avionics, and recovery subsystem teams building and flying student-designed rockets.
- Cal Poly Society of Aerospace Engineers (SAE) Rocketry: Cal Poly SLO's student-led aerospace engineering project teams, including high-power rocket programs. Comparable in scale, polytechnic-engineering culture, and emphasis on flight-test-driven student learning.
- UC Berkeley Space Technologies and Rocketry (STAR): Berkeley's student-run rocketry and space technology lab. Operates as a comparable university student propulsion lab building high-power rockets with iterative development, similar to USCRPL's structure and mission profile.
- Stanford Student Space Initiative (SSI): Stanford's premier student-run space organization that designs, builds, and launches high-power rockets and CubeSats. Directly comparable as another elite university rocketry group pursuing high-altitude amateur launches with iterative, student-built vehicles.
- Cornell Rocketry Team: Cornell's undergraduate rocketry team that designs, builds, and launches high-power amateur rockets. Comparable scope and student-team structure to USCRPL with similar subsystems (propulsion, avionics, recovery).
- Princeton Space Propulsion Lab: Princeton's undergraduate student-run rocket propulsion laboratory developing liquid and solid rocket engines and flight vehicles. Closely matches USCRPL's "student propulsion lab" model with shared propulsion and avionics development focus.
- Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University High Power Rocketry: Embry-Riddle's student rocketry programs with strong propulsion and high-power flight heritage. Comparable in student-team propulsion research scope and amateur-rocketry mission profile.
- Georgia Tech Ramblin' Rockets: Georgia Tech's competitive student rocketry team focused on high-power amateur rockets and Spaceport America launches. Comparable scale, competition-driven cadence, and integrated propulsion/avionics/recovery approach.
- University of Texas at Austin Texas Rocket Engineering Lab: UT Austin's student-run rocketry organization designing and launching high-power amateur rockets. Closely comparable mission, structure, and flight-test cadence to USCRPL.
- Purdue Space Program — High Power Rocketry: Purdue's student rocketry teams compete in high-power and Spaceport America launches. Comparable university setting, aerospace-recruiting sponsor pipeline, and high-power rocketry development focus.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
USC Rocket Propulsion Laboratory social profiles
Digital presenceUSC Rocket Propulsion Laboratory financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
USC Rocket Propulsion Laboratory leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
USC Rocket Propulsion Laboratory funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
USC Rocket Propulsion Laboratory M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
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Frequently asked questions about USC Rocket Propulsion Laboratory
What does USC Rocket Propulsion Laboratory do?
USC Rocket Propulsion Laboratory (USCRPL) designs, builds, and tests experimental student-built rockets and solid rocket propulsion systems at the University of Southern California. The organization develops flight vehicles, custom solid rocket motors, composite airframes, avionics, thermal protection, and recovery systems, conducting static motor tests and high-altitude launches to advance amateur and student rocketry capabilities. USCRPL does not sell products commercially; its outputs are research missions, world-record flights, and technology development funded by USC and corporate sponsors.
Is USC Rocket Propulsion Laboratory a public or private company?
USC Rocket Propulsion Laboratory is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was USC Rocket Propulsion Laboratory founded?
USC Rocket Propulsion Laboratory was founded in 2005. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is USC Rocket Propulsion Laboratory based?
USC Rocket Propulsion Laboratory is headquartered in Los Angeles, United States, in the North America region.
Who are USC Rocket Propulsion Laboratory's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are MIT Rocketry Team, Cal Poly Society of Aerospace Engineers (SAE) Rocketry, UC Berkeley Space Technologies and Rocketry (STAR), Stanford Student Space Initiative (SSI), Cornell Rocketry Team, Princeton Space Propulsion Lab, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University High Power Rocketry, Georgia Tech Ramblin' Rockets, University of Texas at Austin Texas Rocket Engineering Lab and Purdue Space Program — High Power Rocketry.
Does USC Rocket Propulsion Laboratory have an API?
No public API is recorded for USC Rocket Propulsion Laboratory.
What industry is USC Rocket Propulsion Laboratory in?
USC Rocket Propulsion Laboratory's product category is Experimental Rocketry. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABADAF, Rocket Engines (Solid), with a secondary code of IMABADAN, Propulsion Test, Integration & Certification Services. Its NAICS code is 336415 and its SIC code is 3760.