March 12, 2025
Astron completes ESA funded design work studying hybrid expander electric cycle rocket engines
Astron Systems completes ESA funded design work studying hybrid expander electric cycle rocket engines.
The design work was funded through ESA's GSTP (General Support Technology Program) to support the development of hybrid expander electric cycle rocket engines to unlock next-level reusability and lifetime within this size class of engine.
The work built upon Astron's previous work and heritage building their first prototype hybrid electric turbopump and building rocket engine ignition systems. This project focused on the breadboard level design of a full engine designed to operate with the hybrid expander electric cycle. This involved a complete design of a thrust chamber, but mostly focused on the second-generation designs for Astron's hybrid electric turbopump and oxidiser e-pump.
The project was successfully concluded on the 12th of March 2025 following the close out meeting with ESA representatives.