Astrobotic Chakram RDRE completes hot-fire test campaign

The Chakram rotating detonation rocket engine has completed a successful hot-fire test.

The hot-fire campaign is a major milestone in RDRE development.

A Chakram rotating detonation rocket engine test resulted in a successful hot fire. Prototypes have completed 8 successful hot-fire tests.

The prototypes recorded more than 470 seconds of cumulative operation and showed no discernible damage. One continuous burn lasted 300 seconds.

The engine produced more than 4000 pounds of thrust and is one of the most powerful RDREs ever demonstrated. For Astrobotic, the result is a major milestone in RDRE development.

Hot fires in the campaign reached thermal steady state. RDREs can offer as much as a 15% increase in specific impulse.

Two SBIR contracts from NASA, plus a Space Act Agreement with NASA Marshall, supported the work. Chakram's partnership involves NASA Marshall Space Flight Center.

PermiAM was co-developed with Elementum3D. It showed promise for RDREs, other advanced propulsion systems, and hypersonic thermal management.

Chakram is one of the most powerful RDREs ever demonstrated, and RDREs can offer as much as a 15% increase in specific impulse. The result matters for tracking the lunar industry because Astrobotic plans to incorporate the propulsion technology into future vehicles, while an orbital transfer vehicle is currently in development.

Astrobotic plans upcoming design iterations and test campaigns to continue maturing Chakram.

Astrobotic plans to incorporate the propulsion technology into future vehicles. An orbital transfer vehicle is currently in development.