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New XCOR Rocket Engine Passes First Test

Posted by timothy on from the please-stand-clear dept.

apsmith writes "XCOR Aerospace just successfully test-fired their new liquid oxygen/kerosene rocket engine. This is significantly more powerful than the engines used in the XCOR EZ-Rocket vehicle, and will be further developed for use in the Xerus suborbital vehicle. XCOR is one of the serious X-Prize contenders, and partly funded by John Carmack of Id and Armadillo Aerospace (Carmack's in-his-free-time X-prize contender)."

5 of 135 comments (clear)

  1. Danger??? by st0rmcold · · Score: 2, Interesting


    I'm no scientist, but I am aware that liquid oxygen or LOX as it's reffered tho happens to be compressed oxygen (approx. 4000 times the amount that in the air), and this will dramatically increase the speed that a shuttle will be incinerated during a disaster, as the LOX will feed the explosions.

    With advancements comes risk in my opinion.

    Anybody who knows more then me, would be able to soothe my thoughts and tell me someone on such a shuttle would have a chance of survival is this were to leak?

    --
    Posting useless rant since 2003.
    1. Re:Danger??? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

      A good part of the big orange fuel tank on the shuttle is already filled with liquid oxygen. The other part is filled with liquid hydrogen. They both explode real well, excessively well when mixed together (which is why they work as rocket fuel.) It's pretty hard to have a rocket without explosive fuel. A rocket is basically a (barely) controlled explosion.

    2. Re:Danger??? by Thag · · Score: 4, Interesting
      Incidentally, every rocket fuel of one kind or another has to have some oxidizer, or it won't work in space(think that one through.)

      Most do, but not all. Hydrogen Peroxide is often used by itself as a monopropellant rocket fuel, for instance: just run it past a platinum screen and it reacts all on its own, no air required. However, it doesn't put out nearly as much thrust as kerosene and LOX.

      Jon Acheson
      --
      All opinions expressed herein are my own, and not those of my employers, who are appalled.
  2. Re:Educational uses by PhantomHarlock · · Score: 2, Interesting

    We actually have proposed educational uses just like that for our 15-lb thrust N2O-Ethane engine. Sort of a kit that can be assembled and tested by teacher and students. Such a project requires funding, however, and we have not gotten the requisite interest yet.

    --Mike
    XCOR Aerospace

  3. Re:I reckon.. by aardvarkjoe · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Whenever referring to this particular legend, this is the link to reference...

    --

    How can we continue to believe in a just universe and freedom to eat crackers if we have no ale?