NASA NEWS : NASA Conducts Testing of 3D-Printed Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine

 

NASA Conducts Testing of 3D-Printed Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine

NASA is actively exploring advanced technologies to achieve ambitious goals in its future missions. These objectives encompass a return to the moon, establishment of infrastructure for extended lunar stays, the inaugural crewed mission to Mars, exploration of the outer solar system, and more. Notably, the focus extends beyond conventional chemical rockets and engines, with a particular emphasis on innovative propulsion technologies. One such promising advancement is the rotating detonation engine (RDE), a system utilizing continuous detonations circulating within an annular channel.

A recent milestone in NASA's development of RDE technology was reached during a hot fire test at the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. On September 27, engineers successfully tested a 3D-printed rotating detonation rocket engine (RDRE) for an impressive 251 seconds, generating over 2,630 kg (5,800 lbs) of thrust. This sustained burn fulfills various mission requirements, including deep-space burns and landing operations. NASA shared footage of the RDRE hot fire test, showcasing its continuous operation on a test stand for over four minutes.

While RDEs have undergone development and testing for several years, NASA's interest intensified with its "moon to Mars" mission architecture. Theoretically, this engine technology offers greater efficiency compared to conventional propulsion methods relying on controlled detonations. The first hot fire test with the RDRE took place in the summer of 2022 in collaboration with advanced propulsion developer In Space LLC and Purdue University.

The recent test aimed to enhance understanding of scaling the combustor to accommodate diverse engine systems, supporting a range of missions from landers and upper-stage engines to supersonic retropropulsion—a vital deceleration technique for landing heavy payloads and crewed missions on Mars. Thomas Teasley, leading the RDRE test effort at NASA Marshall, emphasized the significance of the latest test in advancing design efficiency and moving closer to lightweight propulsion systems for more massive payloads in deep space, aligning with NASA's vision for moon to Mars exploration.

Collaboration with NASA's Glenn Research Center and Venus Aerospace is underway to explore scaling possibilities for larger mission profiles.