Space FrontierSapienza Università di Roma

High-density rocket propulsion

Rocket engines.Engineered from the fuel up.

Space Frontier combines new fuels and advanced manufacturing to unlock the potential of hybrid propulsion.

Explore the platform →Discuss an application
Hybrid propulsion system with its fuel grain visible inside
CAD ASSEMBLY / FUEL GRAIN VISIBLESCROLL TO EXPLORE ↓

01 / SAFETY

Non-explosive architecture

Fuel and oxidizer remain physically separated until operation, supporting safer handling and integration.

02 / SIMPLICITY

Fewer components.
Easier integration.

Compared with liquid-propellant architectures, hybrid systems can reduce plumbing and component count, with potential benefits for size, cost and integration.

03 / VERSATILITY

Fuel tailored
to the mission

High-density formulations and printed grain architectures let us design around different operating profiles, from satellite propulsion to atmospheric flight.

SCIENTIFIC
PARTNERS
INCUBATED ATESA BIC Lazio

02 / THE LABORATORY

Automated testing.
Controlled conditions.

A dedicated infrastructure for fuel characterisation, propulsion testing and digital-twin development. Mechanical, electronic and control systems are designed; construction and commissioning are the next steps.

01 AUTOMATED02 REMOTELY CONTROLLED03 TIMED TEST SEQUENCES

Inside the laboratory.

DESIGNED · TO BE BUILT
Cutaway CAD of the containerised laboratoryCAD / CONTAINERISED LABORATORY

Cutaway CAD view.

Liquid N₂O.
Non-cryogenic storage.

The oxidizer supply line is developed with SPF Impianti using certified components.

Controlled feed conditions are designed to support comparable fuel-testing campaigns without cryogenic storage infrastructure.

03 / MARKET & APPLICATIONS

One platform.
Multiple applications.

The same engineering core is configured for satellite propulsion, solid turbojets and hypersonic operating profiles.

Satellite propulsion01 / SPACE

Satellite propulsion

Orbital transfer, collision avoidance and controlled deorbiting.

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Atmospheric flight application02 / ATMOSPHERIC

Solid turbojets

A compact propulsion architecture for tactical and civilian air-breathing platforms.

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High-speed flight application03 / HIGH-SPEED

Hypersonics

Mission-specific grain geometry and fuel layering for demanding operating profiles.

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Explore market & applications ↗

CUSTOMERS · PARTNERS · INVESTORS

Build the next propulsion
system with us.

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COMPONENT FOCUS / OXIDIZER

Choosing the
oxidizer.

Two possible oxidizers, with different storage and handling considerations.

N₂O

Nitrous oxide

Advantages

  • Self-pressurizing behaviour can simplify the feed-system architecture.
  • Non-cryogenic storage and established use in hybrid propulsion.

Trade-offs

  • Storage pressure varies with temperature.
  • Two-phase flow can complicate delivery behaviour.
  • Decomposition hazards require dedicated safety assessment.
H₂O₂

Hydrogen peroxide

Advantages

  • Can be stored as a non-cryogenic liquid.
  • Catalytic decomposition produces water vapour and oxygen.

Trade-offs

  • Long-term stability depends on material compatibility and purity.
  • Concentrated peroxide requires controlled handling.
  • Catalyst durability must be assessed where catalytic decomposition is used.

Oxidizer selection depends on the application and validation programme.

NASA · Nitrous oxide ↗ESA · Hydrogen peroxide ↗

COMPONENT FOCUS / OUR FUELS

3D-printed fuels.
Measured from within.

Formulation, printed geometry and tomographic inspection connect the digital definition of each grain with its measured behaviour.

3D-PRINTED BIOPLASTIC GRAIN

Drag the line upwards to reveal the tomography.

MATERIAL RENDERINGIllustrative rendering
CT SURFACECT-reconstructed geometry

Same geometry, two views. Material rendering and CT-reconstructed surface.

Star grain · 3D-printed bioplastic sample.

01 / REGRESSION

Point-by-point
regression control

Material and local geometry are design variables. CT comparison reveals how the grain changes at each location, beyond an average diameter.

02 / PRODUCTION

Replicability

A digital grain definition and recorded printing parameters support repeatable manufacturing and comparison between batches.

03 / INSPECTION

Micrometric
quality control

Tomographic inspection measures internal geometry and detects voids and local defects to compare the produced grain with its design.

A traceable production and test record provides more precise, relevant data for AI training and regression-model development.