propulsion system

Airbus Defence and Space has developed a new storable fuel upper-stage propulsion system for the European Space Agency (ESA).

Tests on the technology demonstrator have shown that the engine complies with all the requirements to substitute the existing variants that are in service, such as on the Vega rocket.

Airbus Defence and Space systems engineer Torben Birck said: "We’ve proven that our engine demonstrator works and that it meets all requirements.

"For engines that run on storable fuels, high-frequency vibrations are a major problem.

"We put a lot of effort into the design and behaviour of the injectors and the special absorber. Our demonstrator is so far proving to be very robust."

For the tests, engineers have used dinitrogen tetroxide (NTO) to cool one part of the combustion chamber and monomethylhydrazine (MMH) for the other segment.

"For engines that run on storable fuels, high-frequency vibrations are a major problem."

The MMH and NTO ignite on contact with each other, and can be stored at room temperature, the engineers said.

The propulsion system was burned for 420 seconds during the testing process.

With an outer diameter of around 15cm and 32cm in length, the engine has so far undergone 60 tests.

Torben said: "Our hope now is that ESA will grant us a development contract."

The upper-stage propulsion system is designed for use in landers and kick stages for missions to other planets.

Image: The propulsion system was burned for 420 seconds during the testing process. Photo: courtesy of Airbus Defence and Space.