PURPL [Purdue Undergraduate Rocket Propulsion Lab]

Name

PURPL [Purdue Undergraduate Rocket Propulsion Lab]

Legal name

PURPL (Purdue Undergraduate Rocket Propulsion Lab)

Website

https://purpl.space

Company type

Private

Founded year

2024

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

PURPL is a non-profit, student-led rocket propulsion engineering club at Purdue University, founded in 2024, where 350+ members from 9+ majors design, build, and test seven propulsion projects funded by aerospace industry sponsors including Blue Origin, Lockheed Martin, Honeywell, and L3Harris.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Student Aerospace Propulsion Research

NAICS

Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Propulsion Unit and Propulsion Unit Parts Manufacturing (336415)

SIC

Services-Testing Laboratories (8734), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Rocket Engines (Liquid) (IMABADAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Propulsion Test, Integration & Certification Services (IMABADAN)

Keywords

• Rocket propulsion research
• Student engineering club
• Engine hotfire testing
• Aerospace propulsion design
• Undergraduate engineering education

Headquarters

HQ city

West Lafayette

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Sponsorship & Donations: PURPL operates as a student organization funded entirely through corporate sponsorships, donations, and in-kind support from industry partners in the aerospace and manufacturing sectors

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

PURPL is a student-led propulsion engineering organization at Purdue University that designs, builds, and tests rocket and aerospace propulsion systems across seven research projects (turbopump, electric propulsion, turbojet, rotating detonation engine, pulsejet, air-breathing, and torch training) and operates three dedicated hot-fire test stand facilities (Biggie-K, Tachyon, and air-breathing). It provides Purdue undergraduate and graduate students with hands-on end-to-end propulsion engineering experience, from CAD design and manufacturing through hot-fire testing, funded by corporate aerospace sponsors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Turbopump Project Student-led research project developing turbopump systems for rocket engine fuel and oxidizer delivery, open to Purdue students interested in turbomachinery.
• Electric Propulsion Project Student-built electric propulsion systems for spacecraft applications, including electric propulsion hot-fire testing, for Purdue student researchers.
• Turbojet Project Student-led design and build project for turbojet engines as part of air-breathing propulsion research, for Purdue engineering students.
• Rotating Detonation Engine (RDE) Project Student research project focused on rotating detonation engine (ram accelerator/ramjet) technology, an advanced propulsion concept, recognized by AIAA in 2026.
• Pulsejet Project Student-led design and build project for pulsejet engines, a type of air-breathing propulsion system.
• Air-Breathing Propulsion Project Student research project on air-breathing propulsion systems, including turbojet engine development.
• Torch Training Program (TTP) Structured educational program that trains Purdue students in welding, machining, and propulsion manufacturing techniques as part of the club's curriculum.
• Testbed Test Stand Student-operated hot-fire test stand facility used to test rocket propulsion systems, supporting multiple test campaigns.
• Biggie-K Test Stand Student-operated test stand facility used for propulsion testing and hot-fire experiments.
• Tachyon Test Stand Student-operated test stand facility for propulsion testing and development.

Quantifiable outcome

• 350+ students gain hands-on propulsion engineering experience annually
• +1 more outcomes

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

26 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• ProtolabscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRapid prototyping and manufacturing sponsor providing 3D printing and CNC machining services for student projects
• Marotta ControlscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAerospace fluid control systems manufacturer supporting propulsion project development
• National InstrumentscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTest and measurement equipment provider supporting data acquisition and instrumentation needs
• HoneywellflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor aerospace technology company providing sponsorship and potential technical mentorship
• L3HarrisflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerAerospace and defense technology company supporting student propulsion projects
• Blue OriginflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpaceflight company providing sponsorship and potential technical mentorship for student rocketry projects
• Lockheed MartinflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerAerospace and defense contractor supporting student engineering education
• KulitecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPressure sensor manufacturer providing instrumentation for test facilities
• TechneticscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAerospace sealing solutions provider supporting propulsion project development
• AnsyscoreTechnology or IntegrationEngineering simulation software provider supplying simulation tools for design and analysis
• PolymakerminorStrategic or Co-development Partner3D printing filament manufacturer providing materials for prototyping
• AltaircoreTechnology or IntegrationEngineering simulation and design software provider (owned by Siemens)
• Purdue University Mechanical EngineeringflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost department providing institutional support and facilities access
• Purdue Engineering Presidents' CouncilflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity engineering governance body providing institutional endorsement and support
• Bechtel Innovation Design CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity maker space providing manufacturing facilities and tools
• Metal SupermarketsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMetal supply distributor providing materials for fabrication projects
• ImaginariumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRapid prototyping services provider supporting project development
• PESCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPurdue Engineering Student Council providing student organization support
• American Earth Anchors (AEA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnchor and fastener manufacturer providing hardware support
• Proportion AirminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrecision pressure control equipment provider for test systems
• SECO SealsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustrial sealing solutions provider for propulsion applications
• Interstate Advanced MaterialsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustrial materials distributor providing raw materials for manufacturing
• Precision Piping ProductsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPiping and tubing supplier for fluid systems in propulsion projects
• Drake PlasticsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEngineering plastics supplier for prototyping and manufacturing
• SendCutSendminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrecision sheet metal fabrication service for manufacturing projects
• Northside Machine & ToolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMachine shop providing CNC machining services and expertise

Scale indicators5 records

Emerging players

• Stanford Student Space Initiative (SSI): Stanford's student-run space organization with rocket, satellite, and propulsion sub-teams. Comparable to PURPL as a student-led space organization, though broader in scope and located in a different university ecosystem.
• Georgia Tech Space Systems Design Lab: Georgia Tech student-driven organization focused on space systems and propulsion research. Comparable to PURPL as a university-affiliated student propulsion effort, though more research- and competition-oriented than a sponsor-funded hands-on hot-fire lab.

Direct peers

• Cornell Rocketry Team: Cornell's undergraduate rocket team designing, building, and launching high-power rockets with active propulsion development. Comparable to PURPL as a student engineering organization with industry sponsorship and hands-on engine work.
• Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Rocketry: Embry-Riddle's student propulsion and rocketry teams at multiple campuses, building and launching high-power rockets with aerospace industry ties. Comparable to PURPL as an aviation/aerospace-focused university propulsion organization.
• USC Rocket Propulsion Laboratory (USCRPL): USC's undergraduate student-run propulsion lab, focused on designing, building, and testing rocket engines at the university level. Closest direct analogue to PURPL given shared student-led propulsion mission, hot-fire test infrastructure, and aerospace sponsor base.
• MIT Rocket Team: MIT's student-run rocketry team working on high-power amateur rockets and propulsion experiments. Comparable to PURPL as a university club building and testing propulsion hardware with industry sponsor backing.
• CU Boulder Rocketry / Colorado Space Club: University of Colorado Boulder's student rocketry and propulsion efforts, including high-power rocketry teams and related aerospace student organizations. Directly comparable as a student propulsion club competing for similar aerospace sponsors.
• University of Michigan Multidisciplinary Design Program / MASA Rocketry: University of Michigan's student aerospace propulsion and rocketry efforts, including hybrid and liquid engine projects. Comparable to PURPL in mission, structure, and reliance on aerospace industry sponsors.

Broad incumbents

• Purdue Space Dynamics Lab (university research counterpart): Purdue's larger, faculty-led Space Dynamics Lab is on the same campus as PURPL and serves as an institutional sponsor/advisor relationship. Comparable as a propulsion/aerospace research organization sharing faculty, facilities, and sponsor ecosystem.

Others

• AIAA Student Chapters: AIAA's network of university student chapters provides the framework under which PURPL received its 2026 recognition. Comparable as an aerospace-focused student community ecosystem rather than a direct propulsion competitor.

Market position

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/purpl-purdue

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about PURPL [Purdue Undergraduate Rocket Propulsion Lab]