Reaction Dynamics to test hybrid rocket engine in 2025 launch from Koonibba

Written by Copernical Team Wednesday, 16 October 2024 16:42

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Sydney, Australia (SPX) Oct 16, 2024

Canadian rocket company Reaction Dynamics has partnered with Southern Launch to perform the first flight of its RE-102 hybrid rocket engine and Aurora vehicle from the Koonibba Test Range in 2025. This inaugural suborbital mission will qualify the rocket engine for space, reaching 125 km above Earth. It aims to provide key data and demonstrate the company's readiness for future orbital missions.

Reaction Dynamics to test hybrid rocket engine in 2025 launch from Koonibba
by Simon Mansfield
Sydney, Australia (SPX) Oct 16, 2024

Canadian rocket company Reaction Dynamics has partnered with Southern Launch to perform the first flight of its RE-102 hybrid rocket engine and Aurora vehicle from the Koonibba Test Range in 2025. This inaugural suborbital mission will qualify the rocket engine for space, reaching 125 km above Earth. It aims to provide key data and demonstrate the company's readiness for future orbital missions. This event will be one of the earliest demonstrations of a hybrid rocket engine's capabilities in a space environment.

"Southern Launch exists to help companies like Reaction Dynamics test their breakthrough technology," said Southern Launch CEO Lloyd Damp. "We are proud to be hosting the Aurora suborbital mission from the Koonibba Test Range. This mission will test a novel hybrid propulsion system which will ultimately result in technological breakthroughs that will propel the entire space industry forward."

The mission's primary objective is to validate the RE-102 engine, noted for being the first in its class to incorporate regeneratively-cooled thrust chamber assemblies. Reaction Dynamics CEO Bachar Elzein highlighted the engine's efficiency, stating, "We believe that the RE-102 hybrid rocket engine will be the most efficient hybrid rocket engine in the world. Extensive hot fire tests have shown that the engine is able to maintain performance during prolonged burn periods thanks to our patented innovations. We are eager to put this technology to the test in the vacuum of space during our upcoming suborbital mission from the Koonibba Test Range."

Standing at 7.3 meters tall, the Aurora rocket will launch from the Mid-Range Launch Rail available at the Koonibba site. "Having our Mid-Range Launch Rail installed and ready to go at the Koonibba Test Range means we can maintain a level of flexibility in our mission timeframes to meet our customer's requirements," Damp added. "Every mission conducted by Southern Launch is a true partnership with our customer and we are looking forward to welcoming Reaction Dynamics to South Australia."

Reaction Dynamics plans to visit the test range later this year, with the launch set for 2025. Southern Launch operates the Koonibba Test Range in collaboration with the Koonibba Community Aboriginal Corporation.