An excellent potential NASA application for this technology is the Exploration Upper Stage Engine (EUSE), a high performance (461-s Isp) LOX/hydrogen upper stage engine that will replace the venerable RL10. Like that predecessor, we fully expect the EUSE to use a closed expander cycle, since it combines exceptional performance with benign turbine environments. Since that cycle is completely reliant upon increasing the enthalpy of the liquid hydrogen to power the turbopump, the main combustion chamber (MCC) lies at the very heart of success for the EUSE.
One truly commercial opportunity has come to our attention, which we are pursuing with vigor. Specifically, Virgin Orbit is a commercial "new space" entrant that is developing a small two-stage launch vehicle that is sure to benefit from our technology. Specifically, their second stage engine is a pump-fed, LOX/RP-1 engine that provides 5,000-lbf of vacuum thrust. To maximize our opportunity to insert this technology, the chamber layout developed under this contract is intended to act as a drop-in replacement for that engine.
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