CURRENT STATUS OF DEVELOPMENT OF PILOT ENGINE WITH HIGH RELIABILITY

摘要

A project to develop a small-scale test rocket engine, termed Pilot Engine, the aim of which is to achieve high reliability and high operability, is in progress. The purpose of this program is to demonstrate technical aspects such as integrated design methodology for highly reliable rocket engines, operation limit testing, and advanced engine simulation technology in a short period of time so as to make the most of the mobility of small size. The concept design has been completed for the 31 kN Pilot Engine. Limit performance tests for bearings have been carried out and the bearing load limit and lower limit of coolant flow for the liquid oxygen bearings, as well as the lower limit of coolant flow rate for the liquid hydrogen bearings, are herein reported.