Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Blue Origin tests thrust chamber

BE-3 test. NASA photo
STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. -- Blue Origin successfully fired the thrust chamber assembly for its new 100,000 pound thrust BE-3 liquid oxygen, liquid hydrogen rocket engine. As part of the company's Reusable Booster System, the engines are designed eventually to launch the biconic-shaped space vehicle the company is developing. The test took place early this month on the E-1 test stand. Blue Origin engineers powered the thrust chamber to its full power level. Blue Origin of Washington is one of the companies developing commercial space transportation systems. (Source: NASA, 10/15/12)