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The European Space Agency (ESA) has successfully completed the first phase of hot-fire tests on a new variable-thrust rocket engine, part of the Future Launchers Preparatory Programme (FLPP). Conducted in Warsaw, Poland, the tests focused on a rocket engine developed by a Polish consortium that is exploring innovative designs for propellant valves and injectors. These designs aim to vary thrust by Erica Marchand
Paris, France (SPX) Aug 09, 2024
The European Space Agency (ESA) has successfully completed the first phase of hot-fire tests on a new variable-thrust rocket engine, part of the Future Launchers Preparatory Programme (FLPP). Conducted in Warsaw, Poland, the tests focused on a rocket engine developed by a Polish consortium that is exploring innovative designs for propellant valves and injectors. These designs aim to vary thrust levels using more sustainable and storable propellants, making the engine suitable for future space missions and reusable rockets.
Named the Throttleable Liquid Propulsion Demonstrator (TLPD), the engine has been dismounted for inspection, with ongoing analysis at the Lukasiewicz Research Network - Institute of Aviation (Lukasiewicz-ILOT) in Poland. This analysis is being conducted in collaboration with partners Astronika and Jakusz SpaceTech, in preparation for the next phase of testing.
Versatile and Long-Lasting Propulsion
The TLPD engine features a newly designed fuel injector and control valves, delivering a thrust of 5kN. Although this is much lower than the Ariane 6 upper stage engine's 180 kN, it makes the TLPD ideal for upper stages of smaller rockets, in-space vehicles, launcher kick-stages, and exploration missions. The ability to adjust thrust levels also positions the engine as a strong candidate for landing spacecraft on Earth, the Moon, and other planetary bodies.
Powered by storable propellants-hydrogen peroxide and ethanol-the TLPD engine is safer and less toxic compared to traditional propellants like hydrazine and nitrogen tetroxide. Unlike cryogenic propellants such as liquid oxygen and hydrogen, storable propellants do not require active cooling, enabling them to remain stable between engine firings. This makes engines like TLPD ideal for long-duration missions, as they are easier to ignite reliably over time.
Advanced Control and Injection System
The main objective of the throttleable engine project is to evaluate a newly developed system of valves and a movable 'pintle' injector. This injector, a key component of bipropellant rocket engines, is managed by an electronic control system. The valves regulate the flow of propellants into the combustion chamber, where the fuel injector mixes ethanol fuel with hydrogen peroxide oxidizer at high pressure. This setup maintains stable combustion even as the propellant flow rates are adjusted.
Moving Forward with Dynamic Testing
The TLPD engine has been designed to throttle down to 20% and up to 110% of its optimal thrust level. Such deep throttling capabilities are crucial for landing rocket stages on Earth or spacecraft on extraterrestrial surfaces.
During the recently completed Phase A tests, the engine was fired 17 times for up to 10 seconds each time, with a constant flow of fuel and oxidizer. The initial static tests were so promising that the team advanced to dynamic throttling tests ahead of schedule. In these tests, the engine was fired twice more, with the thrust varying between 20% and 80% of its optimal level during 15-second intervals.
After the current test results are analyzed, the TLPD engine will undergo remounting for a full suite of dynamic tests, including longer firing durations. This next phase is scheduled to begin in October and will further test the engine's throttling capabilities.
ESA and Lukasiewicz-ILOT are now discussing the continuation of the project, aiming to develop a fully throttleable flight engine based on the successful test outcomes.
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