/sci/ - Science & Math

Relatively few people know that Sierra Nevada of Dream Chaser fame, also do a lot of interesting R&D with the military for small rocket engines. The most interesting project they’ve undertaken is the development of rocket engines using their patented VORTEX® technology in partnership with the US Airforce. This technology involves using the combustion chamber’s flow field to cool the inner walls, which according to SNC allows the new engine to be simpler, smaller and lower cost. Furthermore, due to this technology the overall size of the engine is also drastically smaller in comparison with traditional combustion upper stage engines, making it as much as 50 percent less expensive to operate according to SNC. SNC are planning to utilise this technology commercially through their new VR35K-A engine, which will burn hydrolox and is envisaged to power “next generation” upper-stages. Thrusters using VORTEX® technology will also power their Dream Chaser lifting-body cargo freighter on-orbit; they will use propane and nitrous oxide for propellant.

http://www.milsatmagazine.com/story.php?number=1674678348

https://www.space.com/sierra-nevada-vortex-engine-dream-chaser-test-video.html

https://www.sncorp.com/press-releases/snc-vortex-rocket-engine/