# Madhav Sonkusare

> Madhav Sonkusare, mechanical engineer in rocket propulsion: liquid rocket engines at Thrustworks Dynetics, student rockets and solid motors at MIT Manipal.

I'm a Mechanical Engineering graduate with a deep passion for rocket propulsion systems. My goal is to work at the forefront of the world's most advanced technologies and, in some small way, help nudge Earth up the Kardashev scale.

## At a glance

- Now: Junior Engineer, Technology Team (ThrustWorks Dynetics, Pune · since Jan 2026)
- Education: B.Tech (Hons), Mechanical Engineering (MIT Manipal · 2022–2026)
- Previously: Deputy Project Manager · Mechanical & Propulsion Lead (Team thrustMIT · 2023–2025)
- Based in: India (UTC+5:30)

## Work

- [Project VAYUVEGA](https://madhavsonkusare.com/work/vayuvega.md), Deputy Project Manager · Mechanical & Propulsion Lead, 2025: Flagship sounding rocket: flew to 29,432 ft, recovered cleanly, 4th place at IREC 2025.
- [Thrustworks Dynetics](https://madhavsonkusare.com/work/thrustworks-dynetics.md), Junior Engineer @ Technology Team, 2026
- [Project AGNI](https://madhavsonkusare.com/work/agni.md), Propulsion Lead, 2024: A student-built solid rocket motor: the first test failed at 1.63 s, the rebuild delivered 9,202 N·s.
- [Solid Propellant Research](https://madhavsonkusare.com/work/solid-prop-research.md), Propulsion Lead, 2025: A reusable test motor for nitrate propellants beyond KNSB, proof-tested with water and static fired.
- [Solar Sail Deployment Mechanism](https://madhavsonkusare.com/work/solar-sail.md), Concept Design, 2025: Motor-driven boom deployer for a 16 m² CubeSat sail, placed third in a MAHE design challenge.
- [Hybrid reaction-jet and aerodynamic control of an air-breathing hypersonic vehicle](https://madhavsonkusare.com/work/hypersonics.md), Flight dynamics research, 2026: Blending aerodynamic controls and reaction jets to share the work of manoeuvring a hypersonic vehicle.
- [Natural Fibre Composites Research](https://madhavsonkusare.com/work/natural-fibre-composites.md), Researcher and co-author, 2026: Compared flax and hemp epoxy laminates made by vacuum infusion: strength, heat, fire and sound.
- [Minor Specialization Project](https://madhavsonkusare.com/work/minor-specialization.md), Materials Engineering · Mini project, 2025: Pin-on-disc wear tests on recycled PET and a 10 wt.% graphene grade.
- [Internship @ National Aerospace Laboratories](https://madhavsonkusare.com/work/nal-internship.md), Research Intern, 2024: Studied negative-thermal-expansion filler composites for cryogenic hydrogen fuel tanks at CSIR-NAL, Bangalore.

## Contact

- Email: madhav.sonkusare@gmail.com
- LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/madhavsonkusare
- Resume: https://madhavsonkusare.com/resume.md