Gilmour Space achieves record 80 kN thrust in hybrid rocket engine test
- Aug 19, 2018
- 2 min read
"The next time we fire up this engine, it's headed towards space."
- Adam Gilmour, CEO & Founder, Gilmour Space Technologies
AUGUST 16, 2018 - Australia and Singapore-based rocket company, Gilmour Space Technologies, has conducted its most powerful orbital engine test to date as it prepares for a key suborbital test flight in the fourth quarter of this year.
"We achieved a record 80 kilonewtons (or 18,000 pounds) of thrust from a 17-second test-fire of our orbital-class rocket engine this week," said the company's CEO & Founder, Adam Gilmour. "It was the final pre-flight motor test of our main orbital engine; and I would say this put us at a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 6, well ahead of most global small launch competitors today.”
Highlights of test fire:
Duration: 17 seconds
Thrust: 80 kN (18,000 lbs)
Ignition start time: < 0.3 seconds
Nb. Throttled to 10% thrust in earlier tests
The Queensland-based company is part of a growing number of space start-ups racing to develop smaller and cheaper launch vehicles that could deliver the next generation of small satellites into low earth orbits (LEO). It plans to launch Eris-100 in 2020, a three-stage commercial vehicle capable of launching 100 kg to LEO; followed by Eris-400 in 2021, a clustered-engine vehicle for payloads up to 400 kg.
"I'm pleased with our team's progress in developing and scaling our new hybrid rocket technology, and expect to be opening up for launch bookings by the end of 2018," said Mr. Gilmour. "Indeed, with the spotlight now on small and responsive launch capabilities, I am confident that Gilmour Space will soon be embarking on our next phase of development."
###
ABOUT US
Gilmour Space Technologies (https://www.gspacetech.com) is a next-generation hybrid propulsion company that is developing low-cost launch vehicles for the small satellite market. Since obtaining its Series A funding mid last year, the Queensland-based company has achieved a number of major milestones, including a Space Act Agreement with NASA and a successful 17-second, 80 kN (18,000 lbs) test-fire of its orbital rocket engine.
A leading launch startup in Australia and Singapore, Gilmour Space plans to launch its first hybrid rockets to suborbital space in 2018, and to LEO in 2020.
MEDIA CONTACTS
Michelle Gilmour
Director, Marketing & Communications
Facebook: Gilmourspacetech | Twitter: @GilmourSpace | LinkedIn: Gilmour Space Technologies
Comments