China3D printingNet, May 20, US propulsion system manufacturer Aerojet Rocketdyne announced that the upgraded version of its RL10 rocket engine has successfully passed the NASA Heat test program.
During the test, the company’s new RL10C-X superior engine featured an additive-manufactured fuel injector and combustion chamber, which proved ignition and long-term durability in a space simulation. RL10C-X was jointly developed with the United Launch Alliance (ULA) to promote its next-generation Vulcan Centaur launch vehicle as part of an upcoming exploratory space flight.
Aerojet Rocketdyne CEO Eileen P. Drake said: “The successful completion of this test series verifies that we will3D printingThe method of integrating technology into the RL10 program to reduce costs and maintain unparalleled engine performance. The RL10 has been the main force in the industry for nearly 60 years, and the RL10C-X will help ensure that the engine maintains this leading position. “
An Aerojet Rocketdyne engineer prepared the company’s RL10C-X rocket engine for testing. Picture from Aerojet Rocketdyne.
Aerojet Rocketdyne and3D printing
In addition to rocket engines, Aerojet Rocketdyne is also known as a manufacturer of missile defense and tactical systems that can meet the needs of American customers and foreign agencies based in the United States.The company has been working for more than 20 years and will3D printingIntegrate into the production process to produce parts that can be used in aerospace, thereby reducing product costs while increasing the complexity of the design.
As early as March 2017, Aerojet Rocketdyne once again promised to use Sigma Labs’ PrintRite3D software, which has accelerated its certification workflow since then.In addition to completing its critical design review (CDR) later in 2017, the company will also3D printingThe pre-burner was integrated into its AR1 rocket engine and it was tested in heat.
Recently, Aerojet Rocketdyne acquired 3D Material Technologies (3DMT), which allowed the company’s3D printing, CNC machining and MIM functions are integrated into its product portfolio. With its additive manufacturing expertise, the company now also produces key parts for the RS-25 engine, and recently won a $1.79 billion contract to produce 18 systems for NASA’s “SLS Project.”
RL10C-X mission test
Aerojet Rocketdyne’s long-term RL 10 engine was tested for the first time in 1959, and hundreds of satellites, exploratory spacecraft and landers have been launched over the years. At that time, the system had undergone nine major upgrades, and because its deep throttling capability was reduced to 10% of rated thrust, the engine continued to be the power tool for NASA’s large-scale lunar lander mission.
In order to ensure the continued effectiveness of the propulsion system, Aerojet Rocketdyne has been cooperating with ULA and the US Air Force to develop its enhanced RL10C-X model for at least four years.Initially, the company carried out in 20173D printingAnd tested the small scale components, and then successfully integrated a regenerative cooling nozzle made of nickel additives into the rocket’s thrust chamber assembly.
After Aerojet Rocketdyne established a mass-produced engine configuration, it conducted a comprehensive sea level test in April 2019 without any accidents. Since then, it has started 32 times. In the company’s latest evaluation, the RL10C-X has undergone two thermal altitude tests, which are conducted in a vacuum to simulate space conditions.
It was confirmed that after3D printingThe optimized engine can ignite and provide 24,000 pounds of thrust, while it can withstand multiple restarts and can run for a long time. Today, RL10C-X has completed more than 5,000 seconds of full-engine Heat test time and will be used as a method of powering ULA’s Vulcan Centaur rocket, which was added to NASA’s space vehicle catalog in April 2021.
Jim Maser, Senior Vice President of Aerojet Rocketdyne Aerospace Business Unit, said: “The significant progress we have made in this program proves that the entire RL10C-X engine system has matured in operation. It not only demonstrates the functionality and robustness of the RL10 design, but also It also demonstrated the team’s extensive experience in hydrogen engine development and development.”
3D printing
Bantam rocket engine opened fire test at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center” alt=” Aerojet Rocketdyne
3D printing
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Aerojet Rocketdyne3D printingThe bantam rocket engine opened fire for testing at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center. Picture from Aerojet Rocketdyne.
3D printingSpace race
In order to perform its future space missions, NASA is increasingly turning to those using3D printingPrivate aerospace company to develop rocket engines with enhanced flight capabilities. For example, earlier this year,3D printingRocket manufacturer Relativity Space won a $3 million NASA contract to put small satellites into orbit.NASA itself has also conducted research on additively manufactured engine components, and completed 23 thermal tests on copper combustion chambers and iron-nickel superalloy nozzles in December 2020.
Elsewhere, scientists from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in collaboration with Johns Hopkins University (Johns Hopkins University) took another approach entirely and experimented with the design of solar-powered rockets.Researchers are currently exploring the use of metals3D printingAs a possibility to optimize the heat shield of the equipment.
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