The European Space Agency (ESA) is Europe’s gateway to space. Its mission is to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.
Find out more about space activities in our 22 Member States, and understand how ESA works together with their national agencies, institutions and organisations.
Exploring our Solar System and unlocking the secrets of the Universe
Go to topicProtecting life and infrastructure on Earth and in orbit
Go to topicUsing space to benefit citizens and meet future challenges on Earth
Go to topicMaking space accessible and developing the technologies for the future
Go to topicThank you for liking
You have already liked this page, you can only like it once!
A new variable-thrust engine was recently tested 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 bright nodules visible in the engine exhaust are ‘mach diamonds’ (or shock diamonds), a phenomenon created when supersonic engine exhausts are ‘squeezed’ by the outside air pressure. With the engine on the lower, 30% thrust, more diamonds are seen compared with when it fires at 50% and full throttle, as the lower thrust exhaust is more susceptible to outside pressure.
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.
Read the full article: Promising early tests for variable-thrust landing engine