A team of engineering students from Kingston University has successfully developed and tested a rocket engine powered by beeswax.

Eight Aerospace Engineering and Space Technology students spent over 18 months designing, building and testing the sustainable fuel sauce at the University's Roehampton Vale campus.

Using specialist software and facilities at Kingston's propulsion lab, the students transformed their initial concept into a working prototype, collecting data on temperature, pressure, and performance.

Michaella Gapelbe Santander, a student involved in the project, said the team chose beeswax due to it having similar properties to paraffin.

"We decided to take a more interesting and sustainable approach by using beeswax," she said.

Beeswax is harvested from honeycomb, and it was sourced from Lincolnshire-based supplier Thorne for the project.

Michaella also highlighted how Kingston's facilities were key to the project's success.

"We have access to the necessary materials and labs so we can design, build, mount and test the engine all within the labs on campus."

Dr Peter Shaw, Senior Lecturer in Astronautics at Kingston University, praised the team's sustainable approach to rocket propulsion.

"The team did a fantastic job in examining sustainability issues around rocket propulsion and investigating novel eco-inspired solutions, mixing a love of the planet with complex engineering.'

The team is now working to compile and publish their data, hoping that the aerospace sector will note their findings and move towards more sustainable innovations.