As NASA prepared for the return to the Moon with the Artemis missions, engineers at the agency successfully developed and tested the RDRE engine, called a rotating blast engine. This new supersonic rocket engine was developed for deep space missions, according to NASA.NASA tests its revolutionary engine
The RDRE differs from a conventional rocket engine in that it generates thrust using a phenomenon of supersonic combustion known as detonation. This design generates more power while using less fuel than today’s propulsion systems, and has the potential to power both manned landers and interplanetary vehicles—deep space targets like the Moon and Mars.
NASA’s RDRE test included 3D-printed parts made from a copper alloy the agency had developed called GRCop-42. During testing, the rocket is said to have withstood the high temperatures and pressures produced by the explosion and was able to generate over 4,000 pounds (1,814 kilograms) of thrust for almost a minute.
NASA states that RDRE will go one step further after this successful test. NASA will examine what advantage the revolutionary propulsion system developed in a second test can provide over conventional liquid rocket engines. Future testing will also use the fully reusable 10,000-lb (4,536-kilogram) RDRE engine. Meanwhile, NASA is already working on multiple rocket technologies and developing more efficient vehicles for space travel.
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