QPL students build rocket engine with 3D printed chamber from LPE
Kelvin Mk.1 is Northern Ireland's first student-designed liquid rocket engine
Students at Queen’s University Belfast have reached a major milestone for Northern Ireland’s space sector with the development of Kelvin Mk.1, the region’s first student-designed liquid rocket engine. The project, led by Queen’s Propulsion Laboratory (QPL), highlights the impact of hands-on learning and advanced manufacturing in shaping the future of space engineering.
As part of the collaboration, LPE (Laser Prototypes Europe) sponsored QPL by manufacturing the engine’s critical components: a metal 3D printed combustion chamber and an injector head. Both were printed, heat-treated, and post-processed entirely at LPE’s facility in Belfast. Based in Belfast, LPE is a leading provider of additive manufacturing and rapid prototyping services, specializing in high-precision 3D printed components for the aerospace, medical, and industrial sectors. The company is certified to ISO 13485, ISO 9001, and AS9100 standards.
The chamber was produced using Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) in AlSi10Mg aluminium, selected for its lightweight and high thermal conductivity. The component features internal cooling channels and was printed as a single piece, eliminating stress-prone welds and joints. Post-processing included full depowdering, heat treatment, and surface finishing to meet aerospace-grade standards.
“Additive manufacturing was the right solution for this engine, not just for its complexity, but because it enabled speed, precision, and performance in a single process,” said Patrick Walls, Engineering Director at LPE. “We’re proud to support such an ambitious and capable team, and to contribute to a project that represents the next generation of propulsion technology coming out of Northern Ireland.”
Founded in 2023, QPL is Northern Ireland’s largest student rocketry team, giving students real-world experience in the design, manufacturing, and testing of propulsion systems. Powered by isopropyl alcohol and nitrous oxide, the Kelvin Mk.1 engine is scheduled for hot fire testing on 10 July 2025 at the Westcott Space Cluster, as part of the UK’s Race2Space competition.
The QPL team decided to use metal additive manufacturing for its design flexibility, speed, and part consolidation, which were critical factors that allowed for more time for engine testing and integration. Working with LPE also gave the students valuable experience in designing for additive processes.
“Metal 3D printing gave us greater design freedom, faster manufacturing, and fewer parts,” said a QPL spokesperson. “LPE’s support throughout the project was invaluable, and the finished chamber exceeded our expectations.”
A full Q&A with the QPL team, covering their design approach and lessons learned from the manufacturing process, is available on the LPE website.
