NEWS – A Bengaluru-based startup, SpaceFields, successfully conducted the hot-firing of India’s first aerospike rocket engine.

HIGHLIGHTS

• The test took place at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) campus in Challakere, Chitradurga district.
• The aerospike engine offers higher efficiency than traditional bell-nozzle engines across various altitudes.

What is an Aerospike Engine?

• Aerospike engines maintain aerodynamic efficiency at different altitudes, unlike bell-nozzle engines that are optimized for specific altitudes.
• The altitude-compensating nozzle design ensures optimal efficiency in varying pressure conditions.

Test Campaign Details

• The static test was conducted on a 168-mm rocket motor at SpaceFields’ propulsion test facility.
• The engine was powered by an HTPB-based composite propellant.
• Test Results:
  • Maximum recorded pressure: 11 bar.
  • Peak thrust: 2000N.
  • Total impulse: 54485.9 N.

Key Innovations and Materials

• The engine is constructed using Titanium Grade 5 as the main metal.
• Glass Fibre Reinforced Polymer (GFRP)-based ablative thermal insulation protects the spike from hot gases.
• The thermal insulation patent was recently granted to SpaceFields.

Applications and Future Potential

• Aerospike engines hold promise for Single-Stage to Orbit (SSTO) rockets, which require only one engine to reach orbit.
• This technology can reduce the staging and fuel consumption needed for launching payloads.