Escape Dynamics Tests First Combustion Free, Externally-Powered Space Launch Thruster
BROOMFIELD, Colo., July 17, 2015 (Escape Dynamics PR) –Escape Dynamics, Inc. announced successful tests of their thruster powered by beamed high power microwave energy, with performance greatly surpassing the limit of chemical combustion rockets. Specific Impulse (or Isp) is a measure of rocket or jet engine efficiency, much like miles-per-gallon for cars. While chemical rockets top out at around 460s Isp, static thrust tests conducted in the company’s lab in Colorado using helium demonstrated an Isp above 500s. Had hydrogen been used instead of helium, the specific impulse achieved would have been above the 600s threshold required for single-stage-to-orbit operations of a launch vehicle, which is not possible with chemical rockets.
“Our recent tests are a major step forward in the continued advancement of our externally-powered high Isp thruster and validation of our efforts to change the manner of orbital launches” commented Richard F. Schaden, co-founder and Chairman of the Board of Escape Dynamics. Dr. Dmitriy Tseliakhovich, CEO/CTO indicated “We, for the first time, conclusively demonstrated that a new propulsion technology that goes beyond chemical rockets and that can be used for orbital launch works on a lab scale, and we are confident that we can take it to multi-megawatt scales and eventually introduce it into single-stage-to-orbit spaceplanes that will change the way we reach orbit.”
These results are an important milestone in the development of a reusable, single-stage-to-orbit spaceplane which will be a radical game changer in space access.
“With this technology, we can uniquely bring to market reusable, single-stage-to-orbit spaceplanes, and aircraft-like operations to orbit, and significantly decrease the cost of access to space for payloads up to 200 kg”, said Laetitia Garriott, President.
For over half a century, space access has been solely dependent upon large, expendable chemical rockets, which Escape Dynamics plans to change by using microwave energy delivered wirelessly to a heat exchanger on the spaceplane during the entire ascent via a phased array of microwave antennas located on the ground. Instead of chemical combustion, Escape Dynamics’ spaceplane will be propelled by ejecting hydrogen, heated with the microwave energy, as it flows through the heat exchanger and will be exhausted through the nozzle creating thrust. After the spaceplane reaches orbit and deploys the payload, it will glide back to the launch pad, refuel, and will be ready for its next flight.
Enthusiasm for the game-changing nature of this development echoes across the commercial space industry. Will Marshall, CEO of Planet Labs, commented: “Currently, small satellite payloads cost approx. $25,000-50,000 per kilo to launch, and must share a launcher with other satellites. I’m very supportive of efforts to create lower cost and more regular access to space. Escape Dynamics is pursuing a radical technology — one I fundamentally think is a good idea — which could massively reduce the costs for small satellite payloads.”
Escape Dynamics’ recent tests demonstrated a full sequence of operation of an externally-powered propulsion system. Energy was drawn from the electric grid, converted into microwaves using a gyrotron, guided through a system of beam shaping mirrors, and beamed from an antenna to a thruster. Conversion of the microwave energy into thrust was performed using a thermal thruster with a highly efficient microwave-absorbing heat exchanger. The heat exchanger was designed to capture more than 90% of the incoming microwave energy and heat the propellant flowing through it towards the nozzle.
About Escape Dynamics:
Escape Dynamics is an advanced technology company developing electromagnetically-powered, reusable, single-stage- to-orbit flight systems and is innovating in core technologies required for next generation aerospace systems such as wireless energy transfer, high power microwaves, and next generation propulsion and materials. Escape Dynamics is a private company headquartered in Colorado. For more information, visit www.EscapeDynamics.com. If you would like to contact Escape Dynamics, please email [email protected].
11 responses to “Escape Dynamics Tests First Combustion Free, Externally-Powered Space Launch Thruster”
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This will be a game changer if they can make it work…
Well, they still to build rather quickly to take on spacex, but that would be great to see.
Interesting! I’ll be hoping to hear of more developments from these guys in the not too distant future.
I wonder what the cost and capability advantage would be over conventional rockets with an easier/cheaper to work with fuel than liquid hydrogen?
If all depends on the T/W they can get from their system. The point of high Isp is to have more mass budget available for structure to make the vehicle sturdier. A vehicle that at take off is 50% fuel/propellant 10% payload 10 % engines and 30% structure starts to look like an airliner and we can make them reliable.
With SpaceX perfecting their first stage recovery. I’m wondering if the design goal should be single stage to orbit. Isn’t part of the problem having to haul that extra engine weight around after your in Orbit?
WouIdnt a large two stage falcon 9 like rocket using these engines make more sense? Wouldn’t 2 stage to orbit carry more mass to space cheaper than the single stage option?
???
The best fuel on this is H2. Why would they use anything else?
The best fuel on a chemical rocket is H2 also — but manufacturing, storing, handling and using liquid hydrogen is largely being deemed cost prohibitive for commercial operations [for chemical rockets]. Even the Air Force has no interest in using liquid hydrogen for a replacement launcher. ULA has announced plans to shut down the Delta line as soon as possible. Only SLS, which is mainly designed to keep a prior-existing workforce in place, will be using H2 going forward — at massive expense. Japan’s expensive-to-operate HIIA has a similar heavily pork-influenced overall purpose. [It does look like The ESA will be sticking with liquid hydrogen though for Ariane 6]
Such costs associated with hydrogen use may also keep this combustion-free technology very expensive to use in practice. Perhaps a less efficient fuel that is easier to store and work with would be cost advantageous enough to be worth using despite its relative inefficiency in terms of isp. Single stage to orbit may be sacrificed, but 2 stage with reuseability (landing and reusing at least a first stage) may, as DTARS alludes to above, be the way to go anyway.
I haven’t looked at the numbers though at all to see if what I’m suggesting is possible or practical, so I’m asking. Without the need for mixing the hydrogen with liquid oxygen and combustion and all the heavy equipment associated with that process, perhaps a lot of the costs associated with using LH2 on the launcher itself would disappear and make liquid hydrogen, despite its difficulties and costs, the way to go. I wonder though.
I saw this concept proposed by Leik Myrabo several decades ago, along with one using lasers to beam the energy. More recently, Jordin Kare has been looking at laser concepts and points out their benefits over microwaves…
http://www.niac.usra.edu/fi…
…but I haven’t seen any significant progress in recent years.
Given this situation, I think this development is extremely interesting and certainly deserves more funding to investigate this very promising approach to space launch.
This approach is a good transitional step because it is feasible to make “multi-megawatt” microwave transmitters, which is not yet possible with lasers.
This could be cheaper than spacex. This is the kind of innovation that is needed
This is the sort of thing that fits hand in glove with space solar power. with high thrust and high ISP you can loft the solar panels, then use that to power ships around Cis-Earth space. Have fun getting that past the FCC. 🙂