Post by RWTH Aachen University

Mateusz Gulczynski received 2nd Place in the international PhD Award competition (Space Transportation category) at the Space Propulsion Conference 2026 in Bari, Italy. 💯 The award-winning paper, “Integrated Engine-Cycle and Structural Modelling for Reusable Liquid Rocket Engines”, supports the development of next-generation reusable launch systems by combining transient engine-performance simulation with detailed structural modelling to improve lifetime prediction of critical rocket-engine components. The award was presented following an international evaluation process involving more than 100 PhD candidate submissions. The work was evaluated by EUCASS, Association Aéronautique et Astronautique de France (3AF), and the SPACE PROPULSION CONFERENCE Technical Committee. Mateusz Gulczynski is a Research Scientist at the Deutsches Zentrum für Luft-und Raumfahrt e.V., where he serves as Work Package Manager and Structural Lead for ESA and EU space programmes. Alongside his professional responsibilities at DLR, he is pursuing a doctorate at RWTH Aachen University under the supervision of Prof. Jan Deeken and Prof. Kai-Uwe Schröder. 👍 #SpacePropulsion #RocketEngineering #ReusableLaunchSystems #AerospaceEngineering #SystemsEngineering #DLR #ESA DLR Raumfahrtantriebe