All systems go for 3D-printed rocket engine

Sky's the limit for UQ space-tech startup after joining ilab Accelerator program

By Jessica Marshallsay

A team of UQ students and alumni are on a mission to launch Australia into space by building a scalable and zero-emissions rocket engine that doesn’t cost the Earth – all with the help of 3D printing.

The startup is called Herik Labs, and the seeds were sown last year when UQ Master of Philosophy student Toby van den Herik was brainstorming rocket-engine designs for his undergraduate thesis in aerospace engineering.

He realised that an existing engine design used by NASA could be varied in key ways to make it easier to scale and use hydrogen – a sustainable fuel that’s up to 25 per cent more efficient than current rocket fuels used for commercial launch.

“Rockets powered by hydrogen and oxygen can produce zero emissions, and the design I came up with works best with hydrogen,” Herik said.

“This is convenient because there’s a lot of grants at the moment for hydrogen, advanced manufacturing and space, so the idea ticks all the boxes.”

Herik quickly realised the potential of his idea but knew he couldn’t develop it alone.

He invited his long-time friend and collaborator, UQ alum Jason Storey (Bachelor of Engineering (Extended Electrical) / Bachelor of Science (Computing) ’21) to join the project as Chief Operating Officer. Fellow engineering students Simone Wilson (Aerospace Engineering) and Isaiah Stook (Mechatronics) rounded out the team as Chief Executive Officer and joint Chief Financial Officer and Chief Marketing Officer, respectively.

While the small satellite industry is booming in Australia and around the world, Wilson said significant challenges exist around sustainability, accessibility, and scalability.

“There are a lot of satellites being made [in Australia] but, at the moment, they would have to be shipped to Cape Canaveral in Florida and launched on a satellite rideshare if you want to launch them affordably,” she said.

“3D printing doesn’t just reduce production times and costs, it reduces complex components into one piece. The fewer parts there are, the more reliable something becomes.

A few months after forming Herik Labs, Herik suggested the team apply for the next cohort of the UQ Ventures ilab Accelerator program.

Wilson had previously completed the Ventures Curiosity program and used the pitching skills she’d learnt to develop Herik Lab’s ilab pitch.

“We just thought, we’ve got to jump in the deep end – and that’s what Ventures is there for,” she said.

“We know where we want to get to and how we’d like to get there, but we don’t have the tools to start working on things.”

After being accepted into the 2023 ilab Accelerator program, Wilson said the team’s two main short-term goals are to build their network and position themselves to pitch to investors.

“We want to come out the other side and be completely ready to ask for money, because it’s not a small feat,” she said.

Their end goal is to produce a working design powered by green hydrogen – which is produced by splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen using renewable electricity. The fuel is 'green' as the only emissions are those from the generation infrastructure.

“By the end of ilab, we’d love to have a working small-engine demonstrator,” Herik said.

“On top of that, we’d like a more refined business model, with revenue stream considerations.”

Now in its 17th iteration, the Ventures ilab Accelerator is one of the longest-running accelerators in Australia. The program has supported more than 230 startups, which have attracted more than $105 million in investment funding.

UQ's Head of Entrepreneurship, Nimrod Klayman, said startups like Herik Labs have the potential to make a big difference to business and industry in Australia.

“At UQ, we’re committed to supporting big ideas,” he said.

“The space industry is ripe with opportunity, and we’re proud to give projects like Herik Labs the support to develop ground-breaking ideas.”