FLPP ETID: First hot-fire test results of future European expander technologies

Abstract

Within ESA-Launchers, the Future Launchers Preparatory Programme (FLPP) the Expander Technology Integrated Demonstrator (ETID) project requirements focus on the full-scale demonstration of cost-effective, low-weight expander liquid rocket engine technologies that may be transferred into a future flight application. The overall goal is to reach TRL 5-6 for the chosen technologies with a planned hot fire test campaign under relevant operating conditions at P3.2, in Lampoldshausen, Germany. After four successful “Run-in” hot-fire tests with the first ETID test configuration, the R3 acceptance of the test bench has been achieved on 14th of August 2018. At the moment the “Block 1” part of the test campaign with the second test configuration is ongoing. Until end of 2018 the test campaign will be finalized with a foreseen total amount of 16 tests with three different test article configurations.