Press Release

November 6, 2000 - Cambridge, MA

The MIT Rocket Team entered the ranks of rocket engineers this past weekend with the explosion of their test engine. At approximately 6:30pm EST on Sunday, November 5th at the team's test facility in Thornton, NH, engine test #1098 ended in a spectacular series of explosions, damaging the engine beyond repair. The test stand worked as designed, containing the blast and subsequent fire, resulting in no damage to the surrounding area.

The rocket engine was developed between the fall of 1999 and spring of 2000 and tested numerous times throughout the summer and fall of 2000. Many of the engine components had already been tested well beyond their expected lifetimes. The team is currently analyzing the data and video from the test. Once that is completed, they will push ahead with a redesign of the engine and test system. Testing of the new engine is expected to begin in the spring of 2001.

More details can be found on the photos page, the trip diary, and the video page.