Date: 20/02/2019 20:52:37
From: dv
ID: 1349297
Subject: British biofuel rocket

https://www.space.com/orbex-unveils-prototype-prime-rocket.html

Orbex, a United Kingdom-based rocket startup, just unveiled part of its new Prime small-satellite launcher, which the company hopes will be lofting spacecraft into low-Earth orbit from the north of Scotland at a rate of one a month by the mid-2020s.

At a Feb. 7 event here at Orbex’s base, company representatives showed off the completed engineering prototype of the two-stage Prime’s upper stage, which is made of lightweight carbon fiber and aluminum composites and features the world’s largest 3D-printed rocket engine.

This engine uses biopropane as a fuel along with liquid oxygen; it produces 90 percent fewer CO2 emissions compared to conventional hydrocarbon fuel-fired rockets, company representatives said.

Prime as a whole will be up to 30 percent lighter and 20 percent more fuel-efficient than other small-satellite launchers currently in development, Orbex representatives said

The rocket will be able to carry between 330 and 440 lbs. (150 to 200 kilograms) of payload to an altitude of 780 miles (1,250 kilometers) and is, according to Orbex CEO Chris Larmour, designed to be reusable.

Seems somewhat similar to the Rocket Labs dealies launching from New Zealand, except for the biofuels aspect.

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Date: 21/02/2019 08:53:42
From: mollwollfumble
ID: 1349579
Subject: re: British biofuel rocket

dv said:


https://www.space.com/orbex-unveils-prototype-prime-rocket.html

Orbex, a United Kingdom-based rocket startup, just unveiled part of its new Prime small-satellite launcher, which the company hopes will be lofting spacecraft into low-Earth orbit from the north of Scotland at a rate of one a month by the mid-2020s.

At a Feb. 7 event here at Orbex’s base, company representatives showed off the completed engineering prototype of the two-stage Prime’s upper stage, which is made of lightweight carbon fiber and aluminum composites and features the world’s largest 3D-printed rocket engine.

This engine uses biopropane as a fuel along with liquid oxygen; it produces 90 percent fewer CO2 emissions compared to conventional hydrocarbon fuel-fired rockets, company representatives said.

Prime as a whole will be up to 30 percent lighter and 20 percent more fuel-efficient than other small-satellite launchers currently in development, Orbex representatives said

The rocket will be able to carry between 330 and 440 lbs. (150 to 200 kilograms) of payload to an altitude of 780 miles (1,250 kilometers) and is, according to Orbex CEO Chris Larmour, designed to be reusable.

Seems somewhat similar to the Rocket Labs dealies launching from New Zealand, except for the biofuels aspect.

Just about any fuel will do in a LOX rocket. MythBusters used dung, remember.

In this case, propane = LPG.

Nice to see another launcher in progress.

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