Conducts Successful Test-Fire Of NewtonThree Main Stage Engine

The LauncherOne team has been making steady progress on all of the key components of our dedicated small satellite launch vehicle LauncherOne at its custom-built test stands in Mojave, according to a news release from Virgin Galactic.

The test reached steady-state operation and allowed the team to capture high quality data about the engine during start-up, operation, and safe shutdown. It occurred the same week as multiple full duration firings of the gas generator for LauncherOne’s upper stage engine, each exceeding six minutes in duration.

LauncherOne’s orbital flights are achieved using two rocket engines: a single 73,500 lbf thrust ‘NewtonThree’ main stage engine, and a single 5,000 lbf thrust ‘NewtonFour’ upper stage engine. Both the NewtonThree and the NewtonFour are highly reliable, pump-fed LOX/RP-1 liquid rocket engines designed, tested, and built by Virgin Galactic.

Previously, the company had completed successful test campaigns on pressure-fed demonstrator engines in each thrust class—the ‘NewtonOne’ and ‘NewtonTwo’ engines. These are now retired.

There is much work yet to be done but we are excited to share the news about such encouraging test results along the road to space.

(Image from YouTube video)

FMI: www.virgingalactic.com