Pardalote

Overview

Pardalote is our first fully Student Researched and Developed (SRAD) hybrid rocket. It is built upon our previous record-setting achievements using Commercial Off the Shelf, solid-fuel engines. Pardalote was the team’s entry into the International Rocket Engineering Competition in 2025, where it won the overall New Horizon Award, secured first place in the SRAD Hybrid/Liquid Category, and were runners-up for both the Jim Furfaro Award for Technical Excellence and the Charles Hoult Award for Modelling and Simulation.

Project Details

Pardalote, which is propelled by the third iteration of our student-researched and developed (SRAD) hybrid rocket engine, builds upon the legacy of its predecessors, Waratah and Wattle, along with their extensive testing campaigns. Engineered using our in-house hybrid engine simulation suite, Pardalote has undergone rigorous validation from pressure testing our feed system to live hot fires at our dedicated facility in Arthursleigh Farm, University of Sydney. Every test redefines our propulsion system, constantly pushing new ideas and innovative engineering practices, guaranteeing competitional performance and spectacular views! This cutting-edge project embodies our team’s relentless commitment, technical excellence, and pioneering spirit, pushing the frontiers of student engineering ever further.