 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
XCOR Successfully Tests New Engine
Mojave - Apr 01, 2003 Today XCOR Aerospace announced that it has successfully completed multiple test firings of their new LOX/kerosene rocket engine, the XR-4K5. The new engine is considerably more powerful than the previous isopropyl alcohol fueled rocket engine used in the EZ-Rocket. The new engine produces 1,800 pounds of thrust, and runs at two and a half times the chamber pressure of the previous engine. According to Dan DeLong, XCOR Chief Engineer: "This is XCOR's first engine designed to run on liquid oxygen and kerosene. The initial tests are in the heat sink configuration, and we expect to develop it further into a regenerative cooled version." DeLong stated: "The XR-4K5 also uses our most recent electrical igniter design that is smaller and lighter than previous generations." Jeff Greason, XCOR CEO said: "We are very excited about the new engine since it moves us closer to our goal of a reliable and economical vehicle for space tourism as well as educational and commercial uses. "The more powerful engine and use of readily available and nontoxic fuels is a notable development in reliability and cost control of operating suborbital vehicles. XCOR is developing the XR-4K5 for future applications, including the propulsion system for the Xerus project." The Xerus (pronunciation: zEr'us) project is part of a joint marketing agreement between XCOR Aerospace and Space Adventures, Ltd., that provides Space Adventures the first 600 flights to 62 miles (100 km) altitude aboard XCOR's Xerus sub-orbital vehicle, designed specifically for space tourist flights. According to a recent study by the Futon Corp., a Bethesda, MD aerospace consulting firm, the space travel market could generate revenues of over $1 billion annually by 2021. Community Email This Article Comment On This Article Related Links XCOR Aerospace Space Access Society SpaceDaily Search SpaceDaily Subscribe To SpaceDaily Express Rocket Science News at Space-Travel.Com
Successful First Test For Vega's Zefiro 9 Engine
Paris, France(ESA) Dec 28, 2005Flames, smoke and a deafening noise accompanied the first firing test of Vega's Zefiro 9 third-stage solid rocket motor. A first examination of the data indicates that everything went well at the test carried out yesterday at Salto de Quirra in southeast Sardinia. |
|
|
| The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2006 - SpaceDaily.AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA PortalReports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additionalcopyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement |
