SpaceDev Hybrid
Engine · USA
Original archive entry. The text, images and links below are kept as they were written.
SpaceDev N2O/Solid hybrid rocket engine. Rocketplane boost. Out of production. Used on Tier One launch vehicle. First flight 2002.
Hybrid motor selected for SpaceFlightOne after competitive testing with an eEc design. In September 2003, Scaled Composites announced that it had selected SpaceDev for propulsion support for its SpaceShipOne project. In a series of flights in late 2004, SpaceDev's hybrid rocket motor powered SpaceShipOne to suborbital space twice in two weeks, thus propelling it to win the Ansari X Prize. Nitrous oxide oxidizer, proprietary HTPB solid fuel. SpaceDev built the casing, but the 25:1 expansion nozzle was fabricated by AEA. All data is estimated; actual figures are considered proprietary.
Chamber Pressure: 24.00 bar. Propellant Formulation: N2O/HTPB. Restarts: 4.