The demonstrator for throttled power rocket engines completes extended hot fires tests

The demonstrator for throttled power rocket engines completes extended hot fires tests

By Erica Marchand

Paris, France (SPX) February 26, 2025

A state-of-the-art demonstrator for rocket engines developed by the Lukasiewicz Research Network Institute of Aviation has completed an extended hot fir test phase in which the ability to dynamically vary push levels. The throttlable Liquid Propulsion Demonstrator (TLPD) is designed for use in rockets in the upper stage, in space vehicles, in kick stadiums and in planetary exploration missions and offers a flexible thrust range from 10% to 110% of its nominal performance. Its restart and the use of non -toxic, stored lifting agents make it a strong candidate for future European space missions.

Promotion of thrust modulation

The first test campaign of the past year validated the motor's ability to work with solid pegs and at the same time prove the performance of the advanced fuel flow control system. The engine ran on a passively chilled combustion chamber during these early tests, since the short burning time did not require active cooling.

By encouraging thermal results, the engineers led to unplanned pre-leafing tests in the early stages and successfully discontinued the performance of the engine in real time during hot fir sequences. This was a considerable step to prove his dynamic shear functions.

Extended tests with a new combustion chamber

During the second test campaign in November 2024, the engine was fired up to a minute as seven times the duration of previous tests, while shifted between different push levels. In order to support these longer runs, the engineers implemented a new additive combustion chamber with integrated water cooling, which enables extended fires with controlled power fluctuations.

The transition between the pegs is a considerable technical challenge, since the engine has to navigate dynamic, temporary conditions that are naturally unpredictable. With 14 hot fires tests, however, the engine showed stable combustion in all tested performance settings and validated its design for controlled, flexible thrust modulation.

In the direction of flight integration

After these successful tests, the TLPD project was approved for further development in the next two years with a budget of 5 million euros. The next phase will focus on refining the demonstrator into a flying engine that is optimized for European space transport applications.

This improved version includes additional technical improvements and can be integrated into Planetary Lander, Orbital tractor, deposit systems for space waste or fueling depots.

The TLPD is an important initiative as part of the future launcher Preparatory Program (FLPP) with Lukasiewicz Research Network – Institute of Aviation (Lukasiewicz -Ilot) as the main entrepreneur. The Polish partners Astronika and Jakusz Spacetech also have a Lukasiewicz spin-off company together with Thaliana Space, which will work with potential customers to align the skills of the engine with the requirements of the aspiring space industry.

Related links

Future space transport

Rocket Science News at Space-travel.com