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Carinthian Research Centre Wins Contract for Space Research by Staff Writers Villach, Austria (SPX) Nov 04, 2015
The European Space Agency (ESA) has awarded the Carinthian research centre CTR in cooperation with the German-French company Airbus Safran Launchers GmbH the contract to further develop CTR's HiPoLas laser ignition technology for launcher drive systems. In previous projects with research carried out on test benches at the German Aerospace Centre (DLR), the CTR team already proved highly successfully that the HiPoLas laser system is suitable for igniting rocket engines. What the new research contract involves is making the system fit for space and thus helping to develop a new generation of European launch vehicles. The research contract has a volume of around 700 thousand euros.
System integration fit for space The system has also successfully undergone extensive testing. We now intend to integrate the ignition system in a combustion chamber for cryogenic fuels and adapt it to the extreme demands required for subsequent use in space," says CTR project manager Gerhard Kroupa. This means the materials, components and the complete system including electronics have to meet the complex technical specifications and high quality standards for space travel. Given the extreme mechanical loads during launch and the very high temperatures and pressures in the combustion chamber, great demands are placed on the system's robustness. In addition to durability, the researchers also aim to improve cost efficiency over conventional ignition systems. Depending on the results of the development project, the laser ignition system could also be taken into consideration in ongoing development of the Ariane 6 launcher. Scheduled for 2020, Ariane 6's maiden flight will, according to ESA, continue to secure "Europe's access to space".
Miniaturised laser ignition system Miniaturising the laser source, which does not require any adjustable elements at all and can therefore withstand extreme temperatures and vibrations, has several advantages: a high degree of flexibility regarding the position of the ignition plasma inside the combustion chamber and a much higher pulse power compared with electrical ignition systems enable more reliable ignition even with complex mixture ratios and high fuel velocities. In addition to successful trials in car and stationary large gas engines, the laser source has also been tested for aviation use in jet engines.
Related Links CTR Carinthian Tech Rocket Science News at Space-Travel.Com
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