Author Topic: Sierra Space Advances its Storable Liquid Propulsion System  (Read 4943 times)

Online Chris Bergin

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Sierra Space Advances its Storable Liquid Propulsion System

 

LOUISVILLE, Colo. (June 7, 2021) – Sierra Space, the new commercial space subsidiary of global aerospace and national security leader Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC), successfully completed testing of its hypergolic, or storable, liquid rocket propulsion system for orbit transfer, maneuvering and guidance control. Sierra Space’s patented VORTEX® engine cooling technology enables a compact and highly reliable propulsion system that can be stored for long periods of time on the ground and in space.

 

“We are excited to see Sierra Space’s unique rocket engine technology continue to evolve and push the boundaries of innovation,” said Tom Crabb, vice president of Sierra Space’s Propulsion & Environmental Systems group. “This success validates our intent to expand a family of engines using hypergolic propellants in a vortex chamber. New capabilities in next-generation engines could include throttling and multi-thrust capability in a single thruster. We seek reliable and affordable solutions for our customers.”

 

Sierra Space’s VORTEX engine design promotes efficient, stable combustion while maintaining cool combustion chamber walls, enabling a more compact engine chamber while sustaining high-performance, and allowing rapid adaptation to multiple propellants.

 

The use of hypergolic propellants makes the propulsion system low-risk, extremely reliable and storable. Hypergolic propellants automatically ignite upon mixing, removing the mechanical complexity of the traditional ignition system. The new propulsion system can be scaled to suit a wide range of applications including upper stage boosters, missile systems, in-space propulsion, guidance, reaction control, extraterrestrial ascent and descent.

 

“The test campaign confirmed that these design improvements increased performance and we’re really proud of that,” said Dr. Marty Chiaverini, director of Propulsion Systems at Sierra Space. “It’s a highly scalable design that will allow us to perform quick redesigns for multiple thrusts, while still offering stable combustion.”

 

Sierra Space performed the hypergolic testing over a broad range of pressures and thrust levels, from 1,500 to 6,000 pounds of thrust. Other additional engines above 6,000 lbf thrust and thrusters less than 100 lbf are viable next options.

 

For more information, visit www.sncorp.com.
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Online deadman1204

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I haven't been following Sierra Nevada too closely, but this mentions that the testing included orbital transfer. Does anyone know how this was validated?

Offline brickmack

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I haven't been following Sierra Nevada too closely, but this mentions that the testing included orbital transfer. Does anyone know how this was validated?

It doesn't say that, it says the engine is designed for orbital transfer.

Offline Tywin

https://twitter.com/SierraSpaceCo/status/1598741068274700289

I hope someone makes an article about this engine...
The knowledge is power...Everything is connected...
The Turtle continues at a steady pace ...

Offline russianhalo117

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https://twitter.com/SierraSpaceCo/status/1598741068274700289

I hope someone makes an article about this engine...
The thread title needs to be updated to state that the thread is for the entire SS VORTEX engine family using multiple propellant types and engine cycles. The VR35K-A tweet is for the hydrolox version and not the storable green bipropellant hypergolic version the thread was originally created nor the metholox version which is on the back-burner for now.

Offline Comga

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Our VR35K-A upper stage VORTEX engine, developed in conjunction with the @AFResearchLab, provides 35,000 lbf thrust and high specific impulse using liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen for increased launch capability.

Learn more: https://t.co/UtJanxkxtk#Space #Engine pic.twitter.com/ZYzkVi6JqR

— Sierra Space (@SierraSpaceCo) December 2, 2022https://twitter.com/SierraSpaceCo/status/1598741068274700289

I hope someone makes an article about this engine...

This is confused, at best, and probably Off Topic.
"liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen" are not considered "storable"
This Sierra Space webpage specifically excludes liquid hydrogen from their test capabilities.
VORTEX seems to be a generic term at Sierra Space for their combustion chamber technology.
VR35K-A is an application to a 35 klbf LOX/LH2 upper stage engine for which they passed CDR in June.
This is being done on a $20M AFRL contract.
(One "innovation is a single shaft dual fuel turbopump.  We know where we have seen that before.)
But again, it's not the "storable liquid propulsion" system of this thread's title.

Or do what halo117 suggested, but that's the OP author's choice.
« Last Edit: 12/03/2022 05:23 pm by Comga »
What kind of wastrels would dump a perfectly good booster in the ocean after just one use?

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