RE-101 Hybrid Rocket Engine Testing Concludes
RE-101 Hybrid Rocket Engine Testing Concludes
Regeneratively Cooled Nozzle Demonstrated in 30 Second Hot Fire
A successful 30 second hot fire test marked the completion of the development testing phase for the Reaction Dynamics RE-101 hybrid rocket engine. The test featured the demonstration of a regeneratively cooled nozzle.
"We're one step closer to our goal of launching the first Canadian orbital rocket.”
Maxime Goulet-Bourdon, Reaction Dynamics
This achievement marks a crucial milestone for the company as it advances in its efforts towards the qualification of its rocket technology. Designed and built by Reaction Dynamics, the RE-101 underwent its inaugural test in early 2021 and is the first hybrid propulsion system to ever have a regeneratively-cooled thrust chamber assembly. This cutting-edge design serves as an effective mitigation strategy against nozzle erosion in hybrid propulsion systems, preventing performance degradation throughout the ascent phase of the flight.
"The successful validation of regenerative cooling holds considerable significance; this test allowed us to address the last major technical risk in our propulsion system, thereby concluding our development testing phase," said Bachar Elzein, CEO & CTO of Reaction Dynamics. "This accomplishment is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team. We can now progress to the subsequent phase with confidence. All involved should take pride in this achievement."
"We're one step closer to our goal of launching the first Canadian orbital rocket, and the world's most efficient hybrid rocket engine," said Maxime Goulet-Bourdon, Reaction Dynamics co-founder and COO. "The gradual technology development performed over the last 5 years allowed us to achieve this world first."
This thirty-second hot fire test, from ignition sequence to shutdown, represents the culmination of three years of development, testing and demonstrations on the RE-101 program. During this period, the company has conducted over fifty hot fires, covering four design iterations. This rigorous regimen aimed to gather essential data for anchoring performance models, validating ignition parameters, assessing fuel characteristics, and determining the restartability of the system. All these efforts collectively contribute to the comprehensive validation of the overall design.
The focus now turns to preparations for qualification testing, with an inaugural flight scheduled to take place within the framework of the Aurora test program in the last quarter of 2024.
The innovation behind hybrid rockets lies in their approach of storing the oxidizer in liquid form and the fuel as a solid, a configuration that necessitates only a single liquid containment and delivery system. This streamlined design not only simplifies manufacturing and reduces costs but also eliminates the complexities and expenses associated with intricate turbomachinery.
Initial research into hybrid rocket technology dates to the early 1930s. Despite being acknowledged for its enhanced safety and reduced environmental impact compared to conventional liquid-fueled rocket engines, the broad adoption of this technology in the launch sector has been impeded by operational and performance limitations. A notable scientific advancement by Reaction Dynamics has addressed their deficiencies, particularly during prolonged burn periods, thereby mitigating the decline in overall system effectiveness. This key development has enabled the engineering of hybrid rocket engines that meet the necessary performance thresholds to reach orbit.