Posted on 08/22/2021 5:28:49 PM PDT by BenLurkin
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has announced that it has successfully demonstrated the operation of a “rotating detonation engine” for the first time in space. The novelty of the technologies in question is that such systems obtain a large amount of thrust by using much less fuel compared to conventional rocket engines, which is quite advantageous for space exploration.
On July 27, the Japanese agency launched a pair of futuristic propulsion systems into space to carry out the first tests. They were launched from the Uchinoura Space Center aboard the S-520-31, a single-stage rocket capable of lofting a 220 lbs (100 kg) payload well above 186 miles (300 km). After recovering the rocket from the ocean, the JAXA team of engineers analyzed the data and confirmed the success of the mission, which put the new system at an estimated altitude of (146 miles) 234.9 km.
The rotating detonation engine uses a series of controlled explosions that travel around an annular channel in a continuous loop. This process generates a large amount of super-efficient thrust coming from a much smaller engine using significantly less fuel – which also means sending less weight on a space launch. According to JAXA, it has the potential to be a game-changer for deep space exploration.
(Excerpt) Read more at inceptivemind.com ...
“A rotating detonation engine (RDE) is an engine using a form of pressure gain combustion, where one or more detonations continuously travel around an annular channel. Computational simulations and experimental results have shown that the RDE has potential in transport and other applications.”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rotating_detonation_engine
Now those are noted for BAD fuel economy.
A space version of the Wankel?
“Piston engine goes Ping, ping ping, but the Mazda goes Hmmmmmmm.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ws4kbgfpKCw
Much more useful.
Those rotaries in race cars were so loud they had to put on mufflers. They were real eardrum rippers.
“Scotty, get us out of here. Wankel factor 1.”
Rode in one of those cars once. Very smooth and quick acceleration.
A race rotary at 10,000 rpm even with dual turbos is a screaming machine it’s a sound that one doesn’t forget. I have flown on a few planes that had rotary engines very loud when running up for takeoff.
The rotary engine. I think GM has some patents on it.
I had a friend with Mazda rotary engined pickup truck. It was an absolute road rocket.
But on Earth you can wind them up to 10k RPM.
A step towards the wave motion engine?
Interesting!
Somebody thinks they have antimatter on the cheap.
Nukes or antimatter is where this kind of engine would really show its merit.
Henlien had some great stories with these.
I owned one and you are correct...
Yah... very. 25% theoretically more efficient which is huge. That is bigger than Hitler’s V2’s to Musk’s Raptor engine jump in efficiency.
But, more importantly, was there enough diversity in the engineering labs, any transgenders, gays, pregnant lesbians, etc.
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