Scottish space company Skyrora has successfully tested a fully 3-D printed commercial rocket engine for the first time in the UK.
The Edinburgh-based firm used its facilities at Cornwall Airport Newquay to carry out engine checks on its XL rocket, including the stop-start technology that will enable satellites to be placed in different orbits.
To celebrate this milestone, Skyrora hosted an ‘invitation day’ to show the new engine to local school-children, business partners and the media.
CEO Vladimir Levykin CEO said: “It is always exciting to reach the testing stage — and even more so for our XL rocket.
Not only is it our main orbital launch vehicle but this is the first time a commercial fully 3-D printed bi-liquid rocket engine has been tested in the UK.
Naturally, we’re delighted that the tests have gone so well over both testing days, and it is testament to the dedicated work of the team that we have reached this stage so smoothly.
“We are passionate about inspiring the next generation of talent so it was a real thrill to invite local school-children along to learn more about the technology and realise that they can have a career in rocket engineering when they are older.”
The engine’s 3-D printed technology represents a landmark moment in the industry, as it allows cooling channels to be embedded in the walls of the combustion chamber.
With fewer parts, the engine is more straightforward to assemble — and more reliable.
Its start-stop technology is made possible by the use of decomposed hydrogen peroxide, which can initiate the combustion when the electronic ‘brains’ of the rocket instruct it to do so.