This could change the face of deep space exploration.
Ring of Explosions
Japan's space agency JAXA announced it has demonstrated in space the operation of a rotary-detonation engine, a first for space.
This engine uses controlled explosions to travel around the base of a circular channel. According to JAXA, the result is a huge amount of thrust from a smaller engine that uses significantly less fuel. This could be a game changer in deep space exploration.
This is a very lucrative venture and Japan is not the only country interested in it. Scientists across the US are investigating the possibility of making rockets lighter and more eco-friendly.
A Sounding Success
On July 27, JAXA launched a sounding rocket measuring 30 feet from the Uchinoura Space Center in order to test futuristic propulsion systems. It reached an altitude of approximately 146 miles.
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After rescuing the rocket from the sea, JAXA engineers looked over the data to determine that the experiment was a success.
The rocket separated from the first stage. It burned the rotary engine for six second, while the second pulse detonation engine, a similar system that uses detonation wave to burn fuel and oxygen, was activated for two seconds.
The thrust produced by the rotary engine was only about 500 Newtons, which is a fraction of what conventional rocket engine engines can do.
The agency claims that their in-space test proved that rotating detonation engine could be used to travel far into space with a fraction of the fuel or weight.
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According to Professor Jiro Kasahara of Nagoya University, the goal is to make the technology practical in five years.
READ MORE: Space demonstration of a detonation engine to deep space exploration using sounding rocket S-520-31 [JAXA]
Read more about rotary detonation engine: Scientists build rocket engine powered by spiraling explosions
