Ursa Major has successfully test fired its Draper hypersonic rocket engine at the company’s headquarters in Berthoud, Colorado. Development of this rocket engine was first announced in May 2023, and is well ahead of schedule, outpacing industry standards.
Draper’s 4,000-pound-thrust closed catalyst cycle design utilizes a non-cryogenic fuel that optimizes storability, making it ideal for in-space propulsion applications. This rocket engine is not only capable of maneuvering objects in orbit, but can do so without fully depleting its store of propellant. What does this mean? It has the potential for additional mission functions. Ursa Major plans on continuing Draper’s aggressive development campaign and mature the engine towards flight qualification.
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We’re excited with how quickly the development program has progressed and look forward to fielding the engine for hypersonics and in-space applications in the coming years,” said Brad Appel, Chief Technology Officer at Ursa Major.
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