DSC-RX100M3
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This is the current design for the Astra Rocket, built and tested in Silicon Valley. 3D-Printed in the Inconel superalloy, with integrated regenerative cooling channels running up the bell and combustion chamber. Liquid fuel runs in the purple cap, and around the tapered bottom ring with equal pressure up a multitude of channels running to the top before looping back to the fuel injectors at the top. This keeps the engine from melting from the heat of combustion with no insulating layers needed inside. This particular one, Serial Number 1, was tested horizontally at the Alameda test facility.

It is fueled by Kerosene and liquid oxygen (LOX). The first stage of Astra is powered by five Delphin engines of 28 kN thrust each driven by battery-powered pumps. It is designed to take a 100kg satellite into orbit.

Now in the Future Ventures’ 🚀 Space Collection.

6 responses to “Astra Rocket Engine — Delphin 3.0”

  1. top, with many integrated connection points in the printand a burn-through hole when a puddle of liquid oxygen pooled before ignition… and burned throughAt the limit of the EOS printer, the engine is printed in two blocks, welded together at the center, just below the throatSuch a cool gift to the space museum at work from founder and CEO Chris Kemp.

    And here is an earlier post I made on the testing facilityVisiting a secret rocket testing facility

  2. So simple looking, yet so powerful. Pretty amazing times we live in.

  3. Yes… and here is the overall perspective and sense of scale. Five of these motors on the booster:and an infographic by Geoff Barrett

  4. Wish I had the funding/$ to print my methalox engine with bldc pump for a cubesat launcher

  5. Will the printed motor be used as final flown product? 28kn = 6,294lbs!

  6. not sure I understand… this is a flight-ready engine. They fly 3D-printed engines. Next flight attempt aiming for July 15 by the way.

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