Small Package, BIG Wallop

XCOR Aerospace announced Thursday it has successfully completed its first series of tests on a new 56-pound thrust rocket engine. The engine, designated XR-3E17, is a direct descendant of the company’s XR-2P1 "Tea Cart" engine developed in 2000.

Although it weighs just half as much as its predecessor, the new engine has nearly four times the power of the 15-lbs-thrust original. The regeneratively cooled engine, developed using private investor funding, is made of copper with a lightweight aluminum cooling jacket.

"We are very pleased with the test results so far," said XCOR Chief Engineer Dan DeLong.

The engine tests took place at XCOR’s facilities at Mojave Air & Spaceport in California, and consisted of several short engine firings. "This spark-ignited engine is capable of an unlimited number of starts and restarts," DeLong said.

The new engine is fueled by a self-pressurizing propellant mixture of ethane and nitrous oxide.

XCOR states the tiny XR-3E17 engine could have a number of commercial and military applications, including use as reaction control system.

XCOR Aerospace is a California corporation located in Mojave, CA.

FMI: www.xcor.com