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Propelling Innovation: NMSU MAE Team Wins First Place at AFRL Aerospace Propulsion Competition
A team of senior Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering students from New Mexico State University soared to the top of the leaderboard at this year’s Aerospace Propulsion Outreach Program (APOP), hosted by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) at Spaceport America.
Competing against 18 other university teams, the NMSU group earned first place with a total score of 126.2 and a thrust range of 8.37 pounds—outperforming institutions such as the University of Michigan and The Ohio State University.
APOP is a long-standing AFRL initiative that connects engineering students with Air Force mentors to reimagine and enhance small gas turbine engines. The 16-year-old program emphasizes real-world application of propulsion theory and fosters collaboration between academia and the defense sector.
The NMSU team's outstanding performance also complemented their work in the department’s Capstone Design Showcase, where they earned additional recognition for excellence in senior design. Further details about their project and team members will be added as they become available.
“This experience really challenged us to think like engineers working in industry. We had to iterate quickly, solve complex technical issues, and communicate our results—all under a tight deadline,” said one team member. (Quote pending)
Their success at APOP is a reflection of both their dedication and the department’s strong emphasis on hands-on learning, systems integration, and aerospace innovation.
