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NASAs Succeeds in Testing of Advanced Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine for New US Space Flight CapabilityJune-August 2022, NASA engineers at Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville Alabama have
successfully fired two regeneratively cooled advanced rotating detonation rocket engines
(RDRE’s). The engines have accumulated 17 starts at over 600 seconds of total duration.
Multiple firings were achieved of greater than 110 seconds each with detonation modes. A
single full throttle test produced over 4000 lbf for 15 seconds with detonation modes. The
mean pressure at a single point on the injector face was 620 psia. These tests completed the
project’s main objective: demonstrating that additive GRCop-alloy hardware could survive long
durations while subjected to the detonative events. 4-5 co-rotating detonations were observed
during most tests with a single test showing 2-3 waves. Several other milestones were also
achieved including successful demonstration of active throttling with detonation modes,
successful ignition without a predetonator, and the use of novel additive manufacturing
techniques. The primary collaborator was IN Space, LLC (West Lafayette, IN) through an STMD
announcement for collaborative opportunity (ACO). Hot fire testing was conducted at Marshall
Space Flight Centers heritage east test area at Test Stand 115 in collaboration with Marshall
ET10.
Document ID
20220012375
Acquisition Source
Marshall Space Flight Center
Document Type
Other - Technical Summary of work conducted for pressure gain combustion committee year end review.
Authors
Thomas Teasley
(Marshall Space Flight Center Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, United States)
Date Acquired
August 10, 2022
Publication Date
August 26, 2022
Publication Information
Subject Category
Spacecraft Design, Testing And Performance
Funding Number(s)
WBS: 571232.04.55.62
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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