On April 22nd, Project Sparrow performed a successful two-second test of the DLX-150A Firebolt, DARE's first functional liquid-fuel rocket engine prototype, running on a mixture of Ethanol-LOx, with a design thrust of 15kN.The goal of the test was to validate the injector design and ignition sequence. The engine tested was a lower chamber pressure variant, and reached an average thrust of 11kN at a chamber pressure of 40 bar.
In July 2022, Project Sparrow performed another successful two-second test of the DLX-150A Firebolt, DARE's first functional liquid-fuel rocket engine prototype, running on a mixture of Ethanol-LOx, with a design thrust of 15kN.The goal of the test was to validate the injector design and ignition sequence. The test targeted a chamber pressure of 30 bar, producing around 9kN of thrust.
The Project Sparrow team recently closed its chapter on the development of a technology demonstrator for a reusable liquid rocket engine with great success. For over two years, the team has worked on the reusable DLX-150B 'Firebolt' Liquid Rocket Engine, performing cold-flow tests, perfecting injector design and ignition sequence and performing a total of 30 seconds of burn time with a reused engine. With the engine up and running, DARE is presented with a great opportunity to take on the next step. Introducing Stratos V, DARE's new flagship project. Our mission is to develop, launch and fully recover a technology demonstrator for a reusable rocket based on the liquid rocket engine developed and tested by the engineers of Project Sparrow.
Project Sparrow developed the DLX-150 'Firebolt‘ liquid bi-propellant engine and tested it many times. In this video, seven hot fire tests conducted over the last two years are shown in chronological order, with the engine reaching a total burn time of over 30 seconds at full flow. We are excited to design a rocket based on this incredible liquid propellant engine. Stay tuned for more!
During the weeks leading up to the SPEAR launch campaign, team members will present a part that they worked on and explain their function and any encountered challenges. Get to know the SPEAR vehicle before its flight!The fourth video, by Wim Jodehl, is on the Drogue Parachute Deployment Device (DPDD) system of SPEAR.
In September 2022, Project Sparrow performed its fourth and last hot fire test of the regeneratively-cooled DLX-150B engine. The 3D-printed Ethanol-LOx engine ran at a reduced chamber pressure of 30 bar for 6.5 seconds, producing a steady 9 kN of thrust. Further testing of the engine will be carried out over the course of project Stratos V.
