MOSCOW, Oct. 16 The private Russian space company SR Space has begun testing elements of its promising methane engine; combustion chamber tests have already been successfully completed , the company's press service reported.
«»SR Space conducted fire tests of the combustion chamber of the oxygen-methane rocket engine RD-1. The tests took place at the stand of the federal autonomous institution «Central Institute of Aviation Engine Engineering named after P.I. Baranova» (CIAM),» the message says.
The first test was carried out with a water-cooled combustion chamber under atmospheric conditions. This way you can separately check the processes taking place inside the chamber and the operation of the cooling circuit itself. During the test, the designers assessed how different parts of the chamber heat up, as well as the efficiency of its gas-dynamic profile. As SR Space chief designer Pyotr Kudryashov explained, methane was chosen as a fuel because, compared to kerosene, it gives a higher specific impulse and is more accessible.
To reduce costs and time for the production of engine components, the selective laser melting (SLM) method was used during the testing phase. According to Kudryashov, this made it possible to experimentally test the engine units.
It is assumed that the RD-1 engine will be used on the Nebo geophysical rocket, designed to study the upper atmosphere and near space. This engine also creates a scientific and technological basis for more powerful engines of orbital launch vehicles.
“These tests confirmed the technological path chosen by the company to create its engine and allow us to continue its further development through private investment. For SR Space, this is confirmation of our leadership in the Russian market among private rocket and space companies, and for the industry, it is an opportunity to expand domestic demand and attracting private investment,» the press service quotes SR Space CEO Oleg Mansurov as saying.
The company plans to test the injector head, electric pump, electrical multiple ignition system and subsequent fire tests of the RD-1 combustion chamber. SR Space is expected to launch a geophysical rocket in late 2023. The rocket must fly to the boundary of space — the so-called Karman line. During the launch, an experiment will be conducted to control a UAV from outer space.