Space Daily 2/21/2020
AFRL, Masten Space Systems, NASA, collaborate on successful testing of methane engine
The Air Force Research Laboratory, NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate, and Masten Space Systems Inc. successfully tested a liquid methane rocket engine, the first of its kind tested at AFRL.
AFRL and Masten signed a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement in December 2018. The agreement enabled Masten to test the Broadsword 25K engine at AFRL's rocket testing facility at Edwards Air Force Base in Test Area 1-125 and complete NASA's Tipping Point contract requirement of a ten second hot fire test.
The Broadsword 25K engine required a large supply of high-pressure gaseous nitrogen to pressure feed their engine. AFRL's Aerospace Systems Directorate and their Rocket Propulsion Division at Edwards AFB has the capability at Test Area 1-125 to deliver a large supply of high-pressure gaseous nitrogen.
More:
https://www.spacedaily.com/reports/AFRL_Masten_Space_Systems_NASA_collaborate_on_successful_testing_of_methane_engine_999.html
The Masten 25k lbf thrust Broadsword rocket engine. (Masten Space Systems photo/Matthew Kuhns)
