Project ATLAS Hybrid Rocket Engine; The Effect of Hypersonic Cruise Missiles on Governmental Defense Policies

As aerospace propulsion rapidly evolves, it drives innovations in technology and reshapes geopolitical landscapes. My capstone team is designing the first hybrid rocket engine at the University of Virginia, aiming to create a foundation for future student rocketry teams and capstone groups and test the feasibility of 3D-printed injectors in hybrid propulsion systems. My STS research explores how the emergence of hypersonic cruise missiles is reshaping military defense strategies and global relations, potentially altering geopolitical dynamics. Both projects focus on advances in aerospace propulsion. My capstone from a technical design standpoint, and my STS research from a societal and political lens, reflecting how propulsion systems influence and are influenced by the broader world. Our capstone aims to increase the availability and feasibility of rocket propulsion systems for undergraduate projects by demonstrating that hybrid rocket motors are a safe, designable, and practical starting point instead of solid and liquid motors. As the oxidizer subsystem lead, I designed the high-pressure plumbing system and a uniaxial swirl injector. The design integrated seamlessly with all other subsystems and stayed within given spatial constraints. I also led the manufacturing effort, including cleaning components, assembling hardware with compression fittings, and verifying compatibility throughout. Our oxidizer lines held up under pressure without failure or leaks, apart from an issue stemming from a solenoid valve, which had a small constant leak after its first opening cycle. After replacing it with ball valves, the system functioned reliably. The design and testing process provided a realistic understanding of the challenges of building integrated engineering systems under constraints. It highlighted the critical importance of subsystem coordination and communication for overall performance. This project taught me vital lessons in hands-on system design, manufacturing, and team dynamics—skills directly applicable to future propulsion design or testing roles. My STS research investigates how the rapid development of hypersonic cruise missiles has altered U.S. defense strategies and international relations. As global powers pursue faster and more evasive missile technologies, defense budgets and diplomatic strategies are evolving rapidly in response. I applied Actor-Network Theory (ANT) and the Social Construction of Technology (SCOT) methodologies to analyze how technical and non-technical actors shape the trajectory of hypersonic weapons development. Using public reports, defense policy documents, and expert analyses, I traced the evolution of hypersonic strategy across the U.S., Russia, and China. Findings show that while Russia has deployed hypersonic missiles and China has made significant advances, the U.S. is now heavily investing to close the gap. This has increased international tension but has not triggered a Cold War-scale shift. Ultimately, while the implications of hypersonic missile technology are profound, it has not fundamentally destabilized global power dynamics yet.