X-33 Linear Aerospike Engine Prototype (LASRE) Tests

[RoyalCompass]

what the hell happened to this program? we sure could use it now

[eggbertsmith]

@2:22  LOLZ!!!!!!!!

[QuattroStig]

Beautiful Engine

[shadyman2000]

expensive hotdog roaster

[StargodArbiter]

Why the green flame? Is it because of the type fuel, or...

[piranha031091]

the fuel probably contains boron, making the flame green.

[MichaelCox]

@piranha031091

makes sense, the shuttles are ignited by boron potassium nitrate.

[JustAnAdjunct]

They're probably using a mixture of Triethylaluminium and Triethylborane (TEA-TEB) to ignite the propellant and that's why it produces green flames at the beginning.

[kirkmach32]

I worked on this program at Edwards, we trucket this generic aeroshape with the miniature Aerospike engine in it, over to the Rocket Site at Edwards AFB. It was mounted in a test stand near Haystack Buttes and it must've taken the better part of a year or two to get to the stage where you see it here mounted and firing for only a few seconds. It never fired "HOT" in flight, although it did ride atop a specially modded SR71 with inert gas blown down through it to test the plumbing.