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SOURCE: AFI

In a significant leap forward for India’s propulsion technology, SpaceFields has announced the successful hot-firing of its pioneering AeroSpike solid rocket engine. This achievement marks a new chapter in the country’s aerospace capabilities, demonstrating both innovation and practical application in rocket propulsion.

The static-test campaign took place at SpaceFields’ Propulsion test facility located at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Challakere, Chitradurga district. The AeroSpike engine, with its unique design, features a 168mm diameter and a length of 1.36 meters, employing an HTPB-based composite propellant known for its efficiency and stability.

The engine reached a peak thrust of 13.42 kN and a peak pressure of 5 MPa, showcasing its capability to handle high stress and deliver substantial force. With a total impulse of 32624.3 Ns, the AeroSpike engine proves its potential for high-energy applications, crucial for space missions requiring significant propulsive power. With a total impulse of 32624.3 Ns, the AeroSpike engine proves its potential for high-energy applications, crucial for space missions requiring significant propulsive power. The engine exhibited optimal pressurization and a reduced burn time, enhancing both efficiency and control over the combustion process.

The AeroSpike’s design involved meticulous attention to the nozzle’s truncation, curvature, and geometry, which were refined through high-fidelity simulations and iterative optimizations. One of the key highlights was the observation of characteristic shock profiles and a regressive burning curve, which are indicative of the engine’s performance under the dynamic and high-pressure conditions of combustion.

A notable achievement was addressing the chuffing instability that had been observed in prior tests. Through several iterations of ignitor refinements, SpaceFields managed to stabilize the combustion process, ensuring smoother and more reliable engine operation.

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