Tue, Jan 16, 2007
Successful Test Completed for NASA
XCOR
Aerospace has announced a series of successful test firings of its
new 7,500 pound thrust rocket engine. The tests were conducted as
part of a $3.3 million subcontract XCOR has with Alliant
Techsystems. The tests support NASA’s advanced development
program to obtain liquid methane rocket engine technology for
future space applications. Six short-duration test fires have been
completed.
The engine, designated 5M15, uses liquid methane and liquid
oxygen as propellants. XCOR and ATK are developing the initial
workhorse version of the 7,500 lbf LOX/methane engine for NASA.
This regeneratively-cooled version of the rocket engine will also
be built and tested in 2007 as part of the contract. ATK will use
the workhorse engine as a basis for the design of the prototype
version of the engine that will be closer to flight weight.
“This was a great first firing,” said XCOR CEO Jeff
Greason.
“Everything worked incredibly well. The crew put in long
days and nights to get the engine and new test stand ready for
today, and the results were outstanding. I could not have expected
it to come out any better.”
The first version of this rocket engine uses a heat-sink throat
without any cooling system. Tests on this first version of the
engine will characterize engine performance. The results will be
used to determine the appropriate length of the rocket engine
chamber for the flight-weight version.
ATK is a $3.4 billion advanced weapon and space systems company
employing approximately 15,000 people in 21 states.
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