Test stand for Throttleable Liquid Propulsion Demonstrator

A new variable-thrust engine was recently tested in Poland with different rates of propellant flowing through it, controlled by a new system of valves to control the flow of propellant along with a movable ‘pintle’ injector, all being commanded by an electronic control system.

A throttleable engine like this has many future applications, from landing rocket stages on Earth to upper stage ‘kick stages’ and exploration missions requiring a descent onto a moon or planet.

The new Throttleable Liquid Propulsion Demonstrator (TLPD) engine will now be dismounted and inspected, and the results will be analysed at the site of the prime contractor ‘Łukasiewicz Research Network – Institute of Aviation’ (Lukasiewicz-ILOT) in Poland before the next phase of testing begins.