Grand Opening of High Speed Propulsion Lab

At the world's largest academic propulsion labs, a new $73-million Zucrow Lab 9 dwarfs previous facilities

Grand Opening of High Speed Propulsion Lab | Aerogram Magazine | Purdue University School of Aeronautics and Astronautics

Grand Opening of High Speed Propulsion Lab

On October 4, 2024, a ceremonial ribbon-cutting marked the opening of the new $73 million High-Speed Propulsion Lab, otherwise known as ZL9. Eckhard Groll, the William E. and Florence E. Perry Head and Reilly Professor of Mechanical Engineering; Arvind Raman, the John A. Edwardson Dean of the College of Engineering and the Robert V. Adams Professor in Mechanical Engineering; and Bill Crossley, the Uhrig and Vournas Head of Aeronautics and Astronautics, held the oversized scissors at the event. The 75th anniversary of Zucrow Labs was celebrated later the same day.

3D rendering of ZL9 building from a top-three-quarters perspective

The scale of ZL9 dwarfs the facilities in ZL8 and features a new, high-pressure air plant that represents an order-of-magnitude increase in capabilities compared to the old air compressor system. ZL9 features new testing capabilities for innovative research in  rocket combustion and gas turbine engines, continuing Purdue’s history of world-class research and development in those areas at a scale only found in government or large defense contractor facilities. The new lab will augment Purdue’s advanced propulsion testing and research prowess. 

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