Company Completes Round Of Tests On 1,500 Lb Thrust LOX/Kerosene Engine

XCOR Aerospace has announced completion of a successful round of tests on its 1,500 lb thrust liquid oxygen and kerosene powered rocket engine. The model XR-4K14 engine is a prototype of the engine that will be used to power the Mark One Rocket Racer. The tests (similar to the one pictured below for a different powerplant) took place at the Mojave Spaceport, located 90 miles north of the city of Los Angeles, California.

"We have performed multiple runs of increasing duration," said XCOR CEO Jeff Greason. "This allows us to characterize the engines regenerative cooling. The requirements are for a reliable and robust engine. We are right on track with the workhorse engine for the Rocket Racing League."

The company has been working over the last ten months on maturing the engine materials and design needed to produce a long duration, reusable rocket engine for the Racer. Derivates of this engine will be used as the powerplants on XCOR's planned future suborbital vehicles.

Rocket Racing League CEO Granger Whitelaw says they are "...elated by the progress made by XCOR, and we cannot wait to showcase the technology for the world to see. Races are slated to begin in late summer 2007 utilizing a fleet of Mark-1 X-Racers."

FMI: www.xcor.com