SABRE Development Programme - Phase 3b
Programme
GSTP
Programme Reference
G61S-007MP
Prime Contractor
REACTION ENGINES LTD
Start Date
End Date
Status
Closed
Country
United Kingdom
Objectives
Phase 3b will build on the results and data generated in the Phase 3a by continuing to focus on key elements of the SABRE engine technology as well as advancing the TRL of the SABRE engine.
Description
The SABRE combined-cycle air-breathing rocket engine has been under development for a number of years. It is the worldwide state of the art in advanced air-breathing engines to enable future launchers.
The SABRE design has been under continuous ESA assessment since 2008. After the Phase 1 and 2, a follow on activity has started in 2014 to progress the development (Phase 3). Currently the first part of the Phase 3 programme (Phase 3a) is on-going and is due to finish in Q1 2017 with the closure of the actions from the SRR held in Quarter 4 2016.
Phase 3b will build on the results and data generated in the Phase 3a by continuing to focus on key elements of the SABRE engine technology as well as advancing the TRL of the SABRE engine. In particular the work will advance the design of the Air-breathing demonstrator engine (Demo-A), which is critical for the proof of concept of the overall SABRE engine.
The Phase 3b activity will conclude with the Air-breathing Demonstrator ;Preliminary Design Review (PDR) and it is intended to overlap the end of Phase 3a with the beginning of Phase 3b.
In addition, design work will continue on the overall SABRE engine to incorporate the results of the subsystem(s) design work. An Intermediate Key Point is included where the status and maturity of the overall SABRE engine design and related subsystem will conclude the 3b work.
Involvement of the principal rocket/aero engine and aerospace sub-system manufacturers is anticipated during this stage in order to prepare for an integrated industrial approach during the Phases 3c and 3d. ;
Independently funded GSTP activities will be proposed to other external parties to participate in Phase 3b.
The present activity proposal therefore covers only the part of the phase 3b work performed by the SABRE contractor and covers the following:
- System Engineering. This activity will have the objective of advancing the design of the SABRE Block 1 engine to achieve:
- Definition of System Requirements
- System Engineering
- Preliminary performance model
- Technical risk analysis
- Interfaces
- Safety analysis and Certification
- Air-Breathing Mode Demonstration Engine. Managing the overall Air-breathing Engine mode demonstrator activity as well as perform detailed design of all pre-cooler and thermodynamic loop subsystems and equipment.
- Ancillary Systems Definition (only where relevant to Demo A). This activity consists of the following preliminary design tasks:
- Ancillary system design
- Engine start system
- Propellant and other services
- Control and instrumentation
- System Integration.
Other supporting activities
- Rocket Engine Mode Demonstration Engine - Managing the overall Rocket Engine mode demonstrator design activities to increase the overall TRL level of the Rocket Engine Demonstrator
- Nacelle - Managing the overall Nacelle activity (including work performed by third-parties)
- SKYLON D1 System Studies - The primary objective of this task is to ensure that the SABRE engine design remains consistent with the vehicle requirements and that there are no fundamental risks associated with the eventual development of the SKYLON vehicle. This is a continuation of the Phase 3a activity.;
Application Domain
Generic Technologies
Technology Domain
19 - Propulsion
Competence Domain
7-Propulsion, Space Transportation and Re-entry Vehicles
Keywords
42-SABRE
Initial TRL
TRL 3
Target TRL
TRL 4
Achieved TRL
TRL N/A