Engineers at the private Russian company SR Space have created an innovative rocket engine that runs on oxygen-methane. This engine will be used to launch geophysical rockets into near space.
In addition to the use of advanced fuel (methane produces less soot, and it is also quite cheap – therefore, many companies around the world plan to switch to it in the future, including Roscosmos), the new engine is distinguished by the fact that the fuel components are fed into the combustion chamber using electric pumps. Finally, it should be noted that many engine parts (including the combustion chamber) are printed on a 3D printer.
Engine tests will take place in late August – early September. This is a pilot project, on the basis of which engines with greater thrust will be created.
As for the carriers, at the first stage SR Space plans to use the new engine in a geophysical rocket weighing about 500 kg – it will be able to put up to 25 kg of payload to a height of 100-150 km. Its tests are planned to be completed within a year, and the first flight may take place in the fall of 2024.
At the next stage, a super-light launch vehicle will be created, which will be able to put 300-400 kg of payload into near-Earth orbits.