Having built a hybrid engine, Nepali engineers prepare for 4.1-metre rocket’s vertical test flight

A small team of Nepali engineers has achieved a significant milestone by developing and testing Nepal's first hybrid rocket propulsion system. After 55 ground tests, the Mach24 Orbitals startup, in collaboration with the Nepal Academy of Science and Technology, is now preparing a 4.1-meter rocket for a vertical test flight.

The prototype, weighing 42 kilograms and measuring 17 centimeters in diameter, is designed to ascend about one kilometer. While a modest distance in the broader context of spaceflight, this flight represents a major leap for Nepal, potentially moving the country from experimental rocketry toward advanced homegrown aerospace technology. Mach24 Orbitals also plans to design larger rockets and develop commercially viable propulsion systems for the global small-satellite industry.

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If there were policies, things would be swifter. Right now, there is no standard road. There needs to be a standard.

Despite overcoming the engineering hurdles, the team encountered bureaucratic obstacles. The proposed launch faced a two-month delay due to the lack of a standard government process for approving such tests, requiring coordination across multiple sectors including aviation, defense, and national security. Although the permit has since been approved, a launch site and date are still pending.

Mohan Tamang, co-founder of Mach24, highlighted the mismatch between the rapid advancement of engineering technologies and the slower pace of institutional governance in Nepal. He stressed the need for clear policies and standard procedures to streamline such processes. The delays have also impacted the company's ability to attract investment, with co-founder Rubita Magar noting that momentum is crucial for an early-stage startup.

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The delay set back our timeline and, with it, our window to raise funding for the next phase. Momentum matters a great deal for an early-stage company, and that was a real cost.