Latest news with #rocketengine
Sustainability Times
09-08-2025
- Science
- Sustainability Times
"NASA Just Armed A Rocket On Mars": Historic First Launch Set To Blast Off From Red Planet's Surface For Return To Earth
IN A NUTSHELL 🚀 Northrop Grumman's successful engine test is a pivotal step for launching rockets from Mars . . 🔍 The Mars Ascent Vehicle aims to return the first samples from the red planet to Earth. aims to return the first samples from the red planet to Earth. 🌌 Coordinating international missions, the project requires perfect synchronization to retrieve and return Martian samples. samples. 💰 Budget overruns and political debates pose challenges to the mission's financial future. In a groundbreaking development, Northrop Grumman's laboratories in Maryland recently witnessed the third successful test of a rocket engine designed for an unprecedented mission. This engine is not just an ordinary piece of technology; it signals a revolutionary shift in space exploration. The engine is intended for a task never before attempted by humanity: launching an orbital rocket from the surface of another planet. This ambitious endeavor aims to bring back the first authentic samples from Mars to Earth, a mission that could reshape our understanding of the red planet and our place in the universe. A Technological Marvel Creating a rocket capable of launching from Mars is a monumental technological challenge. The Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV) is designed to achieve this feat. Standing at just 10 feet tall and weighing approximately 990 pounds, the MAV must function flawlessly after enduring a months-long journey through space and years of waiting in Mars' harsh environment. It must then reach Mars orbit with surgical precision. The MAV represents a leap in engineering, as it must perform its mission in an environment where every ounce counts, and any failure could jeopardize decades of effort. Unlike terrestrial rockets, the MAV must operate under conditions where even slight miscalculations can lead to mission failure. The success of this mission could pave the way for future endeavors to retrieve samples from other celestial bodies. The Quest for Martian Treasures This technical achievement is part of one of the most ambitious missions ever conceived: returning the first genuine samples from Mars to Earth. The Perseverance rover is currently traversing the Martian landscape, meticulously collecting rock and soil fragments with its advanced drilling system. These samples are carefully stored in sealed containers, creating a planetary treasure map. Treehoppers' Strange Bodies Could Sense Static Charges, Sparking Outrage: 'These Weird Insect Shapes Are Actually Electric Field Detectors' Scientists Claim The collected samples will await the arrival of a second, more specialized rover. This future mission will gather the samples and prepare them for the journey back to Earth. The significance of these samples lies in their potential to provide unprecedented insights into Mars' geological history and the possibility of past life on the planet. A Complex Space Ballet The sequence of events following the sample collection requires intricate coordination. Once the samples are secured in a special container, the MAV will spring into action. Within minutes, it must accelerate its valuable cargo to speeds of nearly 9,000 miles per hour, sufficient to escape Mars' gravitational pull and reach orbit. In orbit, an automated spacecraft will rendezvous with the MAV to retrieve the sample container and embark on the long journey back to Earth. This complex choreography requires perfect synchronization among multiple international missions, presenting logistical challenges that surpass any previous space endeavors. The mission's success hinges on seamless collaboration across nations and agencies. '27 Million Tons of Plastic Are Destroying the North Atlantic' Reveals Shocking New Study Showing Unseen Ocean Crisis Innovation in Every Detail Recent tests conducted by Northrop Grumman have revealed fascinating innovations. The engine utilizes an advanced composite propellant, likely based on ammonium perchlorate mixed with powdered aluminum and resilient polymers. This formulation, derived from the company's proven STAR motors, must withstand Mars' extreme temperatures while adhering to strict planetary protection standards. An intriguing detail emerged during testing: the rocket rapidly rotated during combustion. This rotation indicates the MAV will use gyroscopic stabilization, a proven technique to maintain precise trajectory without complex guidance systems. This innovation highlights the meticulous attention to detail required to ensure mission success. The Dawn of a New Era Beyond the technical feat, this mission marks a significant conceptual shift. For the first time in the history of space exploration, we are not just sending robots to observe and analyze on-site; we are bringing back physical fragments of another world to our terrestrial laboratories. Jeff Bemis, program manager at Northrop Grumman, expressed confidence in the project: 'We have demonstrated a flight-ready design.' This statement underscores the promise of a new era in space exploration, one that redefines our relationship with the cosmos. '86,000 Hidden Earthquakes Uncovered Beneath Yellowstone' Reveals AI Breakthrough That Changes Everything About Volcanic Risk Budgetary Clouds on the Horizon Despite the technical optimism, a significant uncertainty looms over the project's financial future. Initially estimated to cost several billion dollars, the Mars Sample Return (MSR) mission faces substantial budget overruns, raising concerns in the U.S. Congress. The astronomical costs of this international collaboration have sparked heated debates over space priorities. This budgetary pressure creates a frustrating paradox: while engineering advancements, such as the successful MAV tests, continue to progress, political uncertainty threatens to jeopardize one of the decade's most promising missions. The race against time now involves not only technological prowess but also the political will to fully fund this Martian dream. The MAV project and its associated missions underscore the complexity and ambition of modern space exploration. As we stand on the brink of a new era, the success of these missions will depend on overcoming technical challenges and securing the financial and political support necessary to bring Martian samples back to Earth. What innovative solutions and collaborative efforts will emerge as we strive to unlock the secrets of the red planet? This article is based on verified sources and supported by editorial technologies. 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Geek Wire
23-06-2025
- Business
- Geek Wire
New Frontier Aerospace tests 3D-printed rocket engine for future flight applications
Flames stream from New Frontier Aerospace's Mjölnir rocket engine during a hit-fire test. (NFA Photo) Kent, Wash.-based New Frontier Aerospace says it has put its 3D-printed Mjölnir rocket engine through a series of successful hot-fire tests, in preparation for an initial flight test of a hypersonic drone that could take place as early as next year. Mjölnir is named after the hammer that was wielded by Thor in Norse mythology (and in Marvel movies). The first job for this hammer would be to propel an uncrewed aerial system called Pathfinder for a series of hovering tests, currently set for 2026. Eventually, Pathfinder could be used for weapons testing or for suborbital point-to-point cargo transport. The engine is also slated for use on New Frontier's Bifröst orbital transfer spacecraft, which is due to fly into space by 2027. (Continuing with the Norse mythology theme, Bifröst was the rainbow bridge that connected the realm of humans with the realm of the gods.) Mjölnir, which is fueled by liquid natural gas, will also be marketed to other aerospace ventures as a standalone product. 'We are proud of the amazing team that built this program and thrilled with the engine's performance during this series of hot-fire tests,' Bill Bruner, CEO of New Frontier Aerospace, said in a news release. 'Mjölnir's compact design, unmatched efficiency, and clean fuel make it a game-changer for hypersonic flight and space propulsion. It is poised to power our ambitious roadmap and open new possibilities for our customers.' New Frontier credited NASA as well as National Security Innovation Capital, part of the Pentagon's Defense Innovation Unit, for providing the funding to support engine development and testing. NSIC awarded a $1.5 million contract extension to New Frontier in 2023, and NASA provided the company with two small-business grants totaling nearly $1 million in 2023 and 2024. Check out this animation illustrating how a Pathfinder flight test might go: Hat tip to Isaac Alexander at Hype Aerospace Insights.
Daily Mail
28-05-2025
- Science
- Daily Mail
Supersonic jet set to release in 2030 will take passengers from New York to London in less than 60 minutes
Supersonic travel is moving closer to reality, after a successful test by a Texas startup that could one day fly passengers from New York to Paris in just 55 minutes. Venus Aerospace completed the world's first atmospheric test of a rotating detonation rocket engine (RDRE), a breakthrough propulsion system that uses spinning explosions instead of steady combustion to generate thrust. The test took place on Wednesday, May 14, at Spaceport America in New Mexico, where a small rocket equipped with the new engine lifted off at 7:37am local time. Venus CEO Sassie Duggleby said: 'This is the moment we've been working toward for five years.' The company plans to use the engine for its upcoming hypersonic jet, Stargazer, which is expected to reach Mach 4 (3,069 mph), four times the speed of sound. If approved for commercial travel, the $33 million jet could complete the 3,625-mile journey between New York and Paris in under an hour, nearly three times faster than the Concorde, which flew at 1,354 mph. The current flight takes about eight hours. Venus Aerospace aims to launch the aircraft in the early 2030s, with plans to carry up to 12 passengers per flight. Compared to traditional rocket engines, RDREs offer improved efficiency and compactness, making them particularly suited for advanced aerospace applications. 'We've proven that this technology works—not just in simulations or the lab, but in the air,' Duggleby said. 'With this milestone, we're one step closer to making high-speed flight accessible, affordable, and sustainable.' Theorized since the 1980s, a high-thrust RDRE capable of practical application has never been flown in a real-world test. Andrew Duggleby, Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer, said: 'Rotating detonation has been a long-sought gain in performance. 'Venus' RDRE solved the last but critical steps to harness the theoretical benefits of pressure gain combustion. We've built an engine that not only runs, but runs reliably and efficiently—and that's what makes it scalable. 'This is the foundation we need that, combined with a ramjet, completes the system from take-off to sustained hypersonic flight.' Venus's RDRE is also engineered to work with the company's exclusive VDR2 air-breathing detonation ramjet, an advanced propulsion system. If approved for commercial travel, the $33 million jet could complete the 3,625-mile journey between New York and Paris in under an hour, nearly three times faster than the Concorde, which flew at 1,354 mph It uses rotating detonation technology to achieve extremely high speeds, potentially Mach 5, which is five times the speed of sound or more. It pulls in air from the atmosphere instead of carrying oxygen onboard like a rocket does. Instead of slow burning, it relies on supersonic shock waves from detonations to move air and fuel through the engine rapidly. 'This pairing enables aircraft to take off from a runway and transition to speeds exceeding Mach 6, maintaining hypersonic cruise without the need for rocket boosters,' Venus shared in a statement. 'Venus is planning full-scale propulsion testing and vehicle integration of this system, moving toward their ultimate goal: the Stargazer M4, a Mach 4 reusable passenger aircraft.' If Stargazer comes to fruition, it will be the first passenger-carrying commercial airplane to go faster than the speed of sound since Concorde. Retired more than 20 years ago, Concorde flew at a maximum altitude of 60,000 feet. According to Venus Aerospace, its upcoming plane will not only be faster but will fly higher – up to 110,000 feet. Just like Concorde passengers almost a quarter of a century ago, Stargazer passengers will be high enough to see the curvature of Earth. This is where the horizon is a slight curve rather than a straight line, normally seen from 50,000 feet.
Gizmodo
19-05-2025
- Science
- Gizmodo
Texas Startup's Wild New ‘Exploding' Rocket Aces First Flight Test
The U.S. is one step closer to achieving hypersonic flight after Venus Aerospace, a Houston-based propulsion company, successfully launched a test of its rotating detonation rocket engine (RDRE) on Wednesday, May 14. The company claims it is the first U.S.-based test of this technology, which is finally coming to fruition after decades of research and development. Eventually, RDREs could power high-speed aircraft capable of traveling more than six times the speed of sound, Venus Aerospace stated in its announcement. 'We've spent approximately four years and a portion of our $84 million in venture funding to take the RDRE from academic theory to flight-proven engine,' Sarah 'Sassie' Duggleby, co-founder and CEO of Venus Aerospace, told Gizmodo in an emailed statement. 'What makes the RDRE remarkable isn't just that it works—but that it's orders of magnitude more affordable than traditional propulsion systems,' she added. The company launched a small rocket equipped with this 2,000-pound-thrust (roughly 907 kilograms) engine from Spaceport America in New Mexico. According to Aerospace America, the duffel-bag sized engine propelled a small rocket to an altitude of 4,400 feet (1,341 meters) and burned for seven seconds, pushing the rocket to about 383 miles (616 kilometers) per hour—roughly half the speed of sound. The aircraft flew for about 30 seconds, then touched down with a gentle parachute landing, and recovery crews retrieved it, Aerospace America reports. Theorized since the 1980s, RDREs are designed to be highly efficient and compact. This allows them to produce more thrust with the same amount of fuel as a traditional combustion engine, which combines highly pressurized propellant with an oxidizer inside a combustion chamber and burns them to produce a steady stream of exhaust that propels the aircraft forward. Instead of exhaust, vehicles with RDREs are propelled by shockwaves. These engines use a sustained injection of fuel and oxidizer to create a wave of continuous explosions—or detonations—that travel around a circular channel. This produces a shockwave that shoots out the back of the aircraft at supersonic speed. This technology has the potential to drastically reduce flight time, improve fuel efficiency, and reduce costs across multiple sectors—including military, commercial, and spaceflight systems—Venus Aerospace claims. 'Compared to traditional jet or rocket engines, our RDRE is up to 10 times cheaper to build and operate,' Duggleby said. 'That's because it has no moving parts, runs on storable fuels, and can be 3D-printed in about a week. As we scale into production and licensing, we expect the cost curve to continue to improve,' she added. Once commercially available, RDREs could allow governments and companies to manufacture hypersonic weapons at a fraction of the cost of current versions, Andrew Duggleby, CTO and co-founder of Venus Aerospace, told Aerospace America. What's more, these engines could launch space payloads four times larger than the current technology is capable of, he said. Achieving sustained hypersonic flight has been the company's goal since it was founded by Sassie and her husband Andrew in 2020. They foresee a bright future for the global hypersonics market, projecting it to surpass $12 billion by 2030 due to multi-industry demand. But they still have a long way to go before their RDRE can power sustained hypersonic flight. Following last week's successful test flight, Venus Aerospace plans to conduct a thorough post-flight analysis to evaluate the engine's performance and inform future iterations, Sassie Duggleby said. The company, she added, aims to have operational RDRE systems by the early 2030s. In the meantime, it will focus on scaling the technology up, honing in on its best applications, and engaging with potential investors—including U.S. defense and national security agencies, as well as commercial customers. So, the future isn't here quite yet. But last week's test flight marks a major step towards bringing this highly powerful propulsion system out of the realm of science fiction and into reality.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Venus Aerospace debuts potentially revolutionary rocket engine with landmark 1st flight (video)
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Houston-based startup Venus Aerospace has completed the first-ever test flight of a rotating detonation rocket engine (RDRE) in the United States. The launch took place on Wednesday (May 14) from Spaceport America in New Mexico. A small rocket equipped with Venus' RDRE lifted off at 9:37 a.m. EDT (1337 GMT; 7:37 a.m. local time in New Mexico). The milestone marked the first successful test of such an engine from U.S. soil and took Venus a "step closer to making high-speed flight accessible, affordable and sustainable," the company said in a statement. "This is the moment we've been working toward for five years," Venus CEO Sassie Duggleby said in the statement. The test serves as a proof of design for Venus's RDRE and keeps the company on track for runway-based high-speed flight, she added: "We've proven that this technology works — not just in simulations or the lab, but in the air." The Venus RDRE uses a compact, high-efficiency design the company hopes can eventually power aircraft up to Mach 6 — six times the speed of sound — starting from conventional runways. Compared to traditional rocket engines, RDREs offer greater thrust in smaller packages, but up until now the technology has been mostly theoretical. Normally, rocket engines burn fuel in a combustion chamber in a steady, controlled process. RDREs use a continuous detonation wave that travels in a circle within a ring-shaped chamber, which produces higher pressure and efficiency and results in increased thrust with less fuel. Related stories: — US Army launches hypersonic missile from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station — Space Force aims to launch 1st 'Foo Fighter' satellites in 2027 to track hypersonic threats — Stratolaunch's Talon-A2 prototype goes hypersonic after dropping from world's largest airplane (photos) "This milestone proves our engine works outside the lab, under real flight conditions," Venus CTO Andrew Duggleby said in the same statement. "We've built an engine that not only runs, but runs reliably and efficiently — and that's what makes it scalable." The RDRE is designed to work in tandem with Venus's VDR2 air-breathing detonation ramjet — a combination the company says will enable sustained hypersonic flight without the need for a booster. (Hypersonic flight is generally defined as Mach 5 and above.) "This is the foundation we need that, combined with a ramjet, completes the system from takeoff to sustained hypersonic flight," Andrew Duggleby said. With the successful test in the books, Venus is planning full-scale propulsion test of their integrated system as it moves to qualify the design of its future Stargazer M4, a reusable passenger aircraft capable of reaching Mach 4.
