Fri, Dec 14, 2007
Successful Test Paves Way For Lunar Ascent Rocket
Aero-News has learned Alliant
Techsystems recently demonstrated a critical capability of its
liquid oxygen (LOX)/Methane rocket engine, by igniting it in a
vacuum chamber. The successful ignition test was designed to
demonstrate the viability of a LOX/Methane rocket engine for a
lunar ascent mission.
The test engine was designed for 3,500-lbs-thrust, to bracket
the expected thrust range of a lunar ascent engine. The successful
vacuum chamber test is the latest in a series of tests conducted by
ATK, which calls itself the industry leader in LOX/Methane rocket
engine technology.
The company previously test-fired a 7,500-lbs LOX/Methane engine
at sea-level.
ATK expects to conduct additional tests of its LOX/Methane
engine technology over a wide range of operating conditions to
simulate the environment an operational engine must perform in
during a lunar ascent. The data collected from this test series
will be instrumental in determining performance parameters and the
optimal scale of a flight-weight LOX/Methane engine. The company
will conduct these tests at its test facility in Ronkonkoma,
NY.
The ascent engine is a critical propulsion system on the Lunar
Lander and its operation is required to return the astronauts from
the lunar surface to rendezvous with the orbiting Crew Exploration
Vehicle (CEV).
"Initial tests have already shown performance levels that meet
or exceed engine requirements," according to Bill Rutley, ATK
Senior Program Manager. "We took what we learned on the 7,500 lbs
engine and incorporated design changes into the 3,500 lbs engine to
improve its performance. Based on the latest test data, our vacuum
specific impulse will surpass 350 seconds."
ATK says a LOX/Methane propellant combination offers significant
performance benefits over other propellant combinations. The engine
is also significantly lighter weight and can provide increased
safety margins for the Lunar Lander's design, in terms of allowable
weight of the ascent module.
More News
Aero Linx: International Flying Farmers IFF is a not-for-profit organization started in 1944 by farmers who were also private pilots. We have members all across the United States a>[...]
From 2017 (YouTube Version): Remembrances Of An Israeli Air Force Test Pilot Early in 2016, ANN contributor Maxine Scheer traveled to Israel, where she had the opportunity to sit d>[...]
"We renegotiated what our debt restructuring is on a lot of our debts, mostly with the family. Those debts are going to be converted into equity..." Source: Excerpts from a short v>[...]
Also: B-29 Superfortress Reunion, FAA Wants Controllers, Spirit Airlines Pulls Back, Gogo Galileo Van's Aircraft posted a short video recapping the goings-on around their reorganiz>[...]
Chart Supplement US A flight information publication designed for use with appropriate IFR or VFR charts which contains data on all airports, seaplane bases, and heliports open to >[...]
ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (04.15.24)
See All