Development of a Low-cost 80-Klbf-Thrust Liquid-fueled Engine

Microcosm proposes to design and develop an 80-Klbf-thrust class LOX-Kerosene ablative engine that can be used in various launch vehicles for defense and commercial applications. The 80-klbf-thrust class engine facilitates the growth of capabilities for not only the expendable vehicles such as the EELV or Microcosm's Scorpiusr Family of launch vehicles, but has wide applications for a new generation of Liquid Strap-on Boosters for thrust augmentation as well as for upper stage engines. The benefits of the Liquid Boosters are low cost, light weight until fueled, reliability with simple pressure-fed units, safety during handling, and ability to have immediate shut down or throttling. Clustering 2, 3, or 4 engines yields a scalable thrust capability with flexibility, low cost and simplicity. Microcosm plans to work with Lockheed-Martin and AFRL/PR during the course of this Phase I activity and subsequently during a potential Phase II program to develop and test this engine. Lockheed-Martin has expressed a strong interest backed by a letter of support to participate in this development effort at no cost. Microcosm has been working with AFRL/PR and the California Space Authority to conduct qualification testing of this engine at the Rocket Engine Test Facility at Edwards.