# Ryan Callahan (Creator, Project KegRocket)

- Show: [Just Gonna Send It](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/just-gonna-send-it)
- Published: 2026-01-28
- Length: 49m
- Episode: 11
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/just-gonna-send-it/2026-01-28-ryan-callahan-creator-project-kegrocket

## Summary

Ryan Callahan, the creator of Project KegRocket, explains how his side project of building a liquid-fueled rocket from beer kegs evolved from a college passion into a complex engineering challenge. He details his journey from flying surplus LR 101 engines at San Diego State University to working as a manufacturing engineer at Blue Origin, emphasizing that hands-on fabrication experience is critical for effective design. Callahan discusses the specific constraints of using thin-walled stainless steel kegs, sourcing cryogenic valves, and leveraging SendCutSend for sheet metal fabrication to keep the project approachable and affordable. He outlines the current status of the airframe and avionics, noting that logistics and securing launch resources at the Friends of Amateur Rocketry site are the primary hurdles before a planned 2026 launch.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/just-gonna-send-it/2026-01-28-ryan-callahan-creator-project-kegrocket#t=0) Introduction: Ryan Callahan and Project KegRocket
- [1:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/just-gonna-send-it/2026-01-28-ryan-callahan-creator-project-kegrocket#t=90) College Rocketry: LR 101 Engines and San Diego State University
- [17:53](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/just-gonna-send-it/2026-01-28-ryan-callahan-creator-project-kegrocket#t=1073) Career at Blue Origin: Manufacturing Engineering and Design
- [25:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/just-gonna-send-it/2026-01-28-ryan-callahan-creator-project-kegrocket#t=1547) Origin of KegRocket: Constraints and Beer Keg Tanks
- [34:21](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/just-gonna-send-it/2026-01-28-ryan-callahan-creator-project-kegrocket#t=2061) Sourcing Challenges: Valves and SendCutSend Fabrication
- [37:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/just-gonna-send-it/2026-01-28-ryan-callahan-creator-project-kegrocket#t=2250) Current Status: Airframe, Avionics, and Testing Plans
- [40:48](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/just-gonna-send-it/2026-01-28-ryan-callahan-creator-project-kegrocket#t=2448) Logistics: Transporting the Rocket and Launch Site Access

## Topics

- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [Logistics & fulfilment](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/logistics-and-fulfillment)
- [Sourcing & supply chain](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sourcing-and-supply-chain)

## Most relevant to

founders before launch

## Mentioned

- Project KegRocket (product)
- Blue Origin (company)
- San Diego State University (other)
- LR 101 (other)
- Friends of Amateur Rocketry (other)
- Norton Sales (other)
- Galactic Aztec (product)
- FAR Mars (other)
- Lefa (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [HIBT Lab! Ursa Major: Joe Laurienti](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-04-20-hibt-lab-ursa-major-joe-laurienti) (How I Built This)
- [85 - Kanga Coolers are the coolest! with Austin Maxwell](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2021-11-23-85-kanga-coolers-are-the-coolest-with-austin-maxwell) (People of Packaging)
- [Afterschool Podcast, Episode 4 - Martin Kastner (9/9)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/core77-podcast/2013-11-04-afterschool-podcast-episode-4-martin-kastner-9-9) (Core77 Podcast)
- [Inspirations and Aspirations - Recanting Rocket Rationale](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2015-06-26-inspirations-and-aspirations-recanting-rocket-rationale) (The Amp Hour)
- [S2E41 The Hacksmith | James Hobson](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-09-24-s2e41-the-hacksmith-james-hobson) (Being an Engineer)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/just-gonna-send-it/2026-01-28-ryan-callahan-creator-project-kegrocket. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Just Gonna Send It.