u/Majestic-Dot-5969

Hey everyone,

I’m looking to start researching and eventually building liquid propulsion systems for the rocketry club I work with. We want to build this project completely from scratch, but since liquid rocketry is a massive undertaking, I want to make sure we start on the right foot—especially regarding safety, infrastructure, and proper engineering workflows.

I would love some guidance from the experienced folks here on how to kick off this journey. Specifically:

• Essential Reading/Theory: What are the absolute "must-read" textbooks, papers, or standards for liquid rocket engine design? (Beyond Huzel & Huang and Sutton).
• Propellant Choice: For a first-time club project, what propellant combination is generally recommended for its balance of safety, cost, and complexity? (e.g., LOX/Ethanol, Gaseous Oxygen/Propane?)
• Scale & Testing: Where should a beginner team start? Should we focus on a tiny sub-scale thruster, or build a gas-feed system/cold-flow test rig first?
• Safety & Regulatory: What are the biggest regulatory or safety hurdles we need to prepare for when setting up a test stand?

If your university or club has successfully transitioned into liquids, I’d love to hear about your timeline and what you wish you knew when you first started.