Reaction Engines Project STERN Movie

Project STERN (Static Test of Expansion/Deflection Nozzle) is a collaborative effort between Reaction Engines Ltd (REL), University of Bristol, and Airborne Engineering. Project has the objective of testing a full hot firing rocket engine with a special type of nozzle called an Expansion/Deflection Nozzle to validate the small scale experiments and computer modelling work done by Dr Neil Taylor at the University of Bristol.

The project was proposed by REL's MD Alan Bond over coffee at the March 2007 UK Space Conference at Charterhouse as part general discussions between the partners. Progress was very rapid; the engine had been built and the first firing conducted in time to be reported at the following UK Space Conference in March 2008.

The engine uses air and hydrogen as propellants to match the mixture in the SABRE whilst in air-breathing mode. Indeed the injectors and igniter are the design intended for SABRE. It has proved a very successful programme with three firing campaigns each extending the instrumentation to get further valuable insights into its operation.

Credits: Reaction Engines Ltd & www.projectstern.co.uk

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Reaction Engines
• Project STERN
• rockets
• engines
• SKYLON
• spaceplane
• Space
• spaceflight
• rocketplane
• orbit

[jag9998]

C'mon, I wanted to see you keep the throttle down a while