https://3dprinting.com/news/nasa-validates-3d-printed-rdre-aerospike-engine/
Copied from the article, did not use the quote function because of the "click to expand" thing was a bit too limiting on the text you can see:
A RDRE differs because it uses a series of small controlled explosions, or detonations, to generate thrust. Fuel and an oxidizer are injected into the combustion chamber, where they ignite and create a wave-like pattern of detonations that travel around the circumference of the chamber. This creates a continuous thrust, propelling the rocket forward.
The detonation process converts more of the fuel’s energy into thrust, and it can operate with a wider range of fuels and oxidizers. Plus, it can handle higher combustion pressures and temperatures than traditional rocket engines.
They not only use their fuels more efficiently, but they also have a higher thrust-to-weight ratio, and so they are of great interest to space engineers.
“Additive manufacturing certainly allows for very complex designs, but this novelty propagates and enables other new technologies such as advanced propulsion,” said Paul Gradl, Principal Engineer at NASA.
“Our NASA team completed hot-fire testing of an aerospike rotating detonation rocket engine (RDRE) enabled by Laser Powder Bed Fusion GRCop-42. The longest continuous duration operated with this hardware was greater than 130 seconds at 622 psi and accumulated over 10 minutes of total time. This is a huge step forward for RDRE.”
The RDRE tests were successful in proving their ability to operate for long durations while withstanding the extreme heat and pressure environments generated by detonations. The tests also demonstrated deep throttling and internal ignition bringing the technology closer to being used with future flight vehicles.
As a result of the test validations, a 10,000-pound class RDRE will be developed to compare the benefits against traditional liquid-fuelled rockets.
Copied from the article, did not use the quote function because of the "click to expand" thing was a bit too limiting on the text you can see:
RDRE
Normal rockets use a single continuous burn to generate thrust, much like a huge firework.A RDRE differs because it uses a series of small controlled explosions, or detonations, to generate thrust. Fuel and an oxidizer are injected into the combustion chamber, where they ignite and create a wave-like pattern of detonations that travel around the circumference of the chamber. This creates a continuous thrust, propelling the rocket forward.
The detonation process converts more of the fuel’s energy into thrust, and it can operate with a wider range of fuels and oxidizers. Plus, it can handle higher combustion pressures and temperatures than traditional rocket engines.
They not only use their fuels more efficiently, but they also have a higher thrust-to-weight ratio, and so they are of great interest to space engineers.
“Additive manufacturing certainly allows for very complex designs, but this novelty propagates and enables other new technologies such as advanced propulsion,” said Paul Gradl, Principal Engineer at NASA.
“Our NASA team completed hot-fire testing of an aerospike rotating detonation rocket engine (RDRE) enabled by Laser Powder Bed Fusion GRCop-42. The longest continuous duration operated with this hardware was greater than 130 seconds at 622 psi and accumulated over 10 minutes of total time. This is a huge step forward for RDRE.”
The RDRE tests were successful in proving their ability to operate for long durations while withstanding the extreme heat and pressure environments generated by detonations. The tests also demonstrated deep throttling and internal ignition bringing the technology closer to being used with future flight vehicles.
As a result of the test validations, a 10,000-pound class RDRE will be developed to compare the benefits against traditional liquid-fuelled rockets.
No hints as to the Isp? Tsk. Interesting use of aerospike nozzle. A PDE is about as severe as it gets for an operating condition. Up to this point, detonation has not been something designers wanted to cope with, but this is what it's going to take to raise Isp significantly.
I see they are also planning on a nuclear rocket that will orbit for up to 300 years.
https://www.space.com/nasa-darpa-nuclear-thermal-rocket-2027
https://www.rolls-royce.com/media/p...-launches-first-study-into-nuclear-power.aspx
https://hothardware.com/news/rolls-royce-teases-nuclear-reactor-that-could-power-nasa-moonbase
https://www.space.com/nasa-darpa-nuclear-thermal-rocket-2027
https://www.rolls-royce.com/media/p...-launches-first-study-into-nuclear-power.aspx
https://hothardware.com/news/rolls-royce-teases-nuclear-reactor-that-could-power-nasa-moonbase
Well, they probably figured that enough detonation engines have been built that we can start t(h)rusting them... The good 'ol aggressive bonfire they have used up to now is getting a bit long in the tooth.