AFRL Funds VTOL Propulsions Testing Platform
AFRL Funds VTOL Propulsions Testing Platform
Will Leverage Aspects from the SpaceWorks X-60 Program
The AFRL has made an award under the SBIR program to Atlanta, GA-based SpaceWorks for development of a new liquid rocket propulsion testbed. The initial phase of this effort will be focused on the overall system design for a tethered hover-capable vehicle. Unique to this platform will be its ability to support integration of high thrust-class Rotating Detonation Rocket Engines (RDREs).
“This is a great opportunity for our company to utilize the significant government investment from the X-60A and X-60C programs."
Dr. Brad St Germain, SpaceWorks
Led by Dr. Brad St Germain, SpaceWorks’ Chief Technical Officer (CTO), this program will leverage technology and design aspects from the X-60 program that was executed by SpaceWorks staff under its Generation Orbit subsidiary. “This is a great opportunity for our company to utilize the significant government investment from the X-60A and X-60C programs,” said Dr. St. Germain. “By leveraging the work done on the X-60 program, we believe we can rapidly mature a new vertical-takeoff and landing rocket testbed.”
While this effort will utilize a government supplied RDRE, it is highly synergistic with SpaceWorks’ own RDRE thruster development program. “As the industry has achieved the maximum potential of conventional liquid rocket engines, the pressure gain combustion process associated with RDRE propulsion has the capability to significantly improve engine performance,” said Dr. St Germain. “Additionally, the lower operating pressures provide increased engine thrust-to-weight coupled with a compact form factor. We are excited to be maturing these technologies and all the associated applications.”