XCOR Engineers Announce Major Breakthrough in Engine Technology.

Very Nice breakthrough.  This gives us a true reusable rocket engine.  Unbelievable but these are problems that were obvoius with the very first U -2 flown almost seventy five years ago.


It is also a superb reminder that mechanical product development is a long arduous process best paid for in ongoing research than as a one off.  The auto engine is a great example and the steam power systems that came before are just as compelling.  They all took vast amounts of time.

We still have not flown our first gravity craft and that promises another century of steady development as well if we have to do it all ourselves.


This engine system will quickly replace all others out there.

XCOR ENGINEERS ANNOUNCE MAJOR BREAKTHROUGH IN ENGINE TECHNOLOGY

The XR-5K18 Engines in Lynx configuration 


December 14, Mojave, California - XCOR Director of Engineering and acting CTO Michael Valant announced today that his team has reached an important milestone in the development of the reusable 5K18 Lynx main propulsion rocket engine. His engineers were able to 'close the loop' of the thermodynamic system under test conditions, a key technology for the Lynx sub-orbital vehicle. This technology includes a novel method to drive essential engine parts using waste heat from the rocket engine, thus eliminating the need for adding large, heavy compressed gas tanks to the vehicle. This propulsion system is an essential part of the Lynx “instant reusability” because it allows the vehicle to be flown multiple times per day without costly servicing of components. In addition, XCOR engine technology could be used to benefit other rocket-propelled vehicles in the same way.




Valant: 'There's still some work to do to improve the cycle efficiency before this engine, that in its basic 'open cycle' form has already had hundreds of successful test firings, is ready for flight, but this is a massive step forward for us in the development of this truly groundbreaking technology. I'm genuinely proud of my teams for working so painstakingly to reach this goal.'




Michael Valant, newly appointed acting CTO, has currently 20 years of experience in rocket propulsion system design and development. Since 2006, he has worked at XCOR to design and develop various propellant systems and components, to include rocket engines, valves and pumps for kerosene and liquid oxygen to fit the design requirements for the XCOR Lynx sub-orbital vehicle main propulsion system.