Astrobotic put its Chakram rotating detonation rocket engine (RDRE) through its paces for the first time.<\/p>\n
During the tests, which took place at NASA\u2019s Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) in Huntsville, Alabama, two Chakram engine prototypes completed a total of eight hot-fire tests.<\/p>\n
According to the space startup, this included a record-breaking 300-second burn\u2014the longest duration hot firing of any RDRE engine yet. Neither of the engines was damaged during the 470 seconds of hot firing accumulated during the tests. <\/p>\n
RDREs are an experimental propulsion technology that have the potential to one day power highly efficient spacecraft to the Moon and further into deep space.<\/p>\n
Chakram\u2019s highly efficient detonation process<\/p>\n
Unlike conventional rocket engines, which harness deflargration, RDREs leverage the rapid energy release of supersonic detonation waves that rotate around an engine\u2019s circular body.<\/p>\n
According to Astrobotic, this detonation process leads to an increase in specific impulse, or engine efficiency, of 15 percent. It also allows for an increased thrust-to-weight ratio, allowing for a more compact design.<\/p>\n
During the recent hot-fire tests, Astrobotic\u2019s Chakram engines each produced 4,000 pounds of thrust (1,800 kilograms), for a combined 470 seconds of total runtime. You can watch footage from the test in the video below.<\/p>\n
Astrobotic\u2019s prototype engine, Chakram, was designed and developed with the support of two NASA Small Business Innovation Research awards, as well as a Space Act Agreement with NASA Marshall.<\/p>\n
\u201cChakram more than exceeded our expectations\u2026 the engine performed even better than expected,\u201d Bryant Avalos, Astrobotic\u2019s Principal Investigator for the Chakram program, explained in a press statement<\/a>. \u201cThe 300-second burn was the cherry on top. Demonstrations like this show how RDRE technology could support a wide range of Astrobotic missions, from propulsion on future lunar landers to in-space orbital transfer vehicles, and other capabilities that will help expand operations throughout cislunar space.\u201d<\/p>\n Astrobotic\u2019s lunar ambitions<\/p>\n In 2024, Astrobotic became the first US private company to launch a lander to the Moon. Unfortunately, the firm\u2019s Peregrine lander experienced a valve problem during the mission, leading to a failed lunar landing.<\/p>\n Now, Astrobotic is working on a follow-up mission that will send a lander to the lunar south pole, where NASA aims to eventually harvest water ice from the Moon\u2019s permanently shadowed craters. Astrobotic\u2019s lunar south pole mission could launch later this year.<\/p>\n Astrobotic believes its RDRE hot-fire test success could help pave the way for more efficient, lower-cost lunar missions. The company will now continue to design, develop, and test its engine.<\/p>\n \u201cThis was pulled off by a small group working on a modest budget,\u201d Travis Vazansky, Astrobotic\u2019s RDRE program manager, said in the firm\u2019s statement. \u201cSeeing the engine perform flawlessly on its first attempt is a testament to their acumen, ingenuity, and scrappiness.\u201d<\/p>\n