To boldly go.. listen as Edinburgh space-race firm Skyrora conducts rocket engine tests

Skyrora conducts vacuum chamber engine tests to replicate space-like conditions

Edinburgh-based rocket company Skyrora has conducted a series of static test fires of its 3rd stage LEO engine - including a vacuum chamber test designed to replicate space-like conditions - to further advance its launch ambitions.

All tests, totalling 100 and conducted at the company’s Engine Test Complex in Rosyth, Fife, were successful, and the results met Skyrora’s test criteria. This means that this sub-system of the three-stage orbital launcher, “Skyrora XL” is ready for launch with an envisaged launch planned for 2023.

Skyrora’s LEO engine is unique as it can re-ignite numerous amounts of times in orbit to deliver payloads into different altitudes and phases, as required for the mission and acting as a ‘taxi’ service to satellite customers.

Skyrora's rocket engine test

The firm, which also has production facilities in Loanhead, Midlothian, has already signed over 23 letters of intent with interested customers and is planning to have a launch service agreement in place shortly.

It is also hoped that further developments will open up 150 - 170 new job opportunities across Scotland.

Head of Engineering, Dr Jack-James Marlow said: “These tests were a fundamental step for our verification programme for the third stage LEO engine, which make us a stage closer to fully developing our polar orbital vehicle, Skyrora XL. We designed and manufactured a vacuum tube to allow us to lower ambient pressure conditions to approximately 10 per cent of sea level. This is a great technological achievement for Skyrora.”

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To boldly go..Skyrora's engine test

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