GKN Aerospace demonstrates new nozzle technologies for a future upper stage launcher engine that involves Expander Technology Integrated Demonstrator (ETID) featuring patented sandwich wall technology. The result is that it has successfully demonstrated its potential for future upper stage engine applications in hot-fire tests.
The ETID Nozzle Extension builds on GKN Aerospace’s patented manufacturing method for actively cooled nozzle extensions, i.e. the so-called “Sandwich” laser welded channel wall technology. The sandwich has a reinforcement jacket using additive manufacturing in the form of laser wire deposition. ETID is part of the ESA funded Future Launcher Preparatory Programme guiding Europe’s next-generation upper-stage rocket engine design
The program is currently hot-fire testing at DLR’s P3.2 test facility in close collaboration with ArianeGroup, Ottobrunn. The test campaign has completed the run-in tests and the first test block with excellent results. The second block with additional technologies and with extended duration of the tests has also been successfully completed. After completion of the third test phase the ETID NE technology is ready to target future upper stage flight applications.
These technologies have matured over almost two decades of continuous improvement in GKN Aerospace’s center of excellence in Trollhättan Sweden and it shows clear customer benefit in liquid rocket propulsion applications. Some key operations of the manufacturing of the ETID Nozzle have been performed and developed in close cooperation with Force Technology in Denmark.
Henrik Amnell, Program Manager, Space Future Programs at GKN Aerospace Engine Systems, said that this successful series of hot-fire tests proves the progress they’ve made in their sandwich wall technology. This really validates their approach to deliver high quality affordable products with high reliability and low maintenance costs. Incorporating this technology will enable them to reduce significant production lead times and make their products more cost competitive.
J.N. Caruana, manager of demonstrators in the Future Launcher Preparatory Programme of ESA Space Transportation, added that GKN Aero masters the technologies and modelling tools that enabled the design and manufacturing of an excellent nozzle for a hydrogen expander-cycle engine. This nozzle is working perfectly at the hot-fire test stand. It meets its demanding mass and heat pick-up requirements. This prepares for cutting-edge evolutions towards more competitiveness of their upper stage engines in Europe.