University of Limerick students pioneer a 3D-printed rocket engine

ULAS HiPR, the University of Limerick’s student-led high-powered rocketry team, in partnership with UL and Irish Manufacturing Research (IMR), will design and produce the first additive manufactured (3D printed) liquid rocket engine in the Republic of Ireland - the Lúin of Celtchar.

ULAS HiPR, founded in 2022 brings together UL students from across disciplines, including aeronautical, mechanical, software, and design engineering – with a shared goal of designing, manufacturing, and launching high-powered rockets.

ULAS HiPR has also been accepted into the prestigious UK-based Race2Space 2026 International Propulsion Competition – a major milestone in advancing Irish student-led space propulsion capabilities.

The engine, a high-performance 2 kN, water-cooled, IPA/Nitrous Oxide bi-propellant system, has been designed entirely by the ULAS HiPR student team.

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It is now being manufactured at IMR’s Advanced Manufacturing Lab in Mullingar, Co Westmeath using metal additive manufacturing, before returning to UL for precision machining and assembly of the final Lúin of Celtchar rocket. This manufacturing approach will enable the engine to incorporate complex internal cooling channels, rapid design iteration, and enhanced efficiency that would be difficult or impossible to achieve with traditional manufacturing techniques.

Jay Looney, co-head of ULAS HiPR, said: “The acceptance of our project to Race2Space marks a defining moment not only for ULAS HiPR, but for Ireland’s student space community.”

“The selection of the first additively manufactured liquid rocket engine in the Republic of Ireland into the competition validates the technical ambition of our student team, and the strength of collaboration between Irish university students with industry,” he added.