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About

Who we are

India's Top Student Rocketry Team!

thrustMIT started off in early 2016 as a group of rocket enthusiasts with the aim of promoting High-Power-Rocketry in India. The team takes part in the International Rocket Engineering Competition (previously called the Spaceport America Cup), which is the largest international platform in the world for students to showcase their rocketry skills. We are currently the top team in India and one of the top teams in Asia.

thrustMIT achieved major milestones with its recent projects. In 2025, Project Vayuvega was successfully launched at the IREC, reaching an apogee of 29,432 ft and securing 4th place among 21 teams in the 30K COTS category, along with 2nd place in the SDL Payload Challenge for its onboard experiment, Vrishabha, which demonstrated real-time 3D visual tracking during flight. In 2024, the team developed AgniAstra, becoming the first Indian student group to build a 30K ft-class sounding rocket, placing 7th globally in the Technical Report category and ranking highest among Asian teams at the SA Cup. thrustMIT has also earned past accolades, including 4th place in the James Barrowman Award (2022) and spot awards for design and professionalism at SA Cup events in 2018 and 2019.

In the News

Media and Publications

30 June, 2025

Manipal Institute of Technology students win award at International Rocket Engineering Competition | The Hindu

14 October, 2024

Agni 2.0: Static Fire Testing of in-house M-class and J-class KNSB-based Solid Rocket Motors | MIT, MAHE

14 September, 2024

Celebrating India’s Young Innovators Who Outshined at Spaceport America Cup 2024 | MyGov, GoI

12 July, 2018

Manipal Institute of Technology's rocket Vyom has a blast in the US | Bangalore Mirror

Subsystems

Our Subsystems

AERODYNAMICS

The Aerodynamics team ensures that the rocket follows the correct trajectory and has optimum efficiency. It involves designing fins, the nose cone, and performing CFD simulations to analyse the aerodynamic forces, flow pattern and stability of the rocket. Major experimental projects include supersonic simulations, surface roughness optimization, air brakes, and designing active control surfaces.

AVIONICS

The Avionics subsystem develops the flight computer for our rocket. It involves programming a multitude of sensors to track live rocket data. We also develop systems like air brakes and reaction control systems. We are further looking into data compression and video telemetry. We are working on an autonomous antenna tracker system to track our rocket in flight.

MANAGEMENT

Management is responsible for the smooth functioning of the entire team. Finance & Sponsorship monitors the Team’s budget and plans and executes successful strategies for sponsorship. We make sure that our team gets all the materials required. We also manage our website and social media handles.

PAYLOAD & RESEARCH

Payload and Research is an interdisciplinary subsystem which develops the payload and research on various aspects of rocketry and beyond. Research into Radial Deployment of our Payloads, Supersonic Aerodynamic Profiles, Optimization of CFD using Deep Learning and Optimization of Apogee Prediction Algorithms using Machine Learning is underway.

PROPULSION

The Propulsion Subsystem develops the rocket engine. We plan to build the first student developed Liquid Rocket Engine in India. Research into Solid Rocket Fuel, Ignitors, Design Optimization, Thrust Vector Control and Reaction Control System Design is underway.

STRUCTURES

Structures is responsible for the design of the rocket exterior and interior. We perform composite and structural simulations of the rocket airframe and internal components. Structures is responsible for the structural stability and safety of the rocket. We are also working on a static motor ground testing rig.