WSPC Invents Martian Rocket Engine
That Burns Carbon Dioxide
- PSAN-I Ammonium Nitrate & Propellants
- SHARP Spaceplane
- Small Launch Vehicle
- Sounding Rockets
- Liquid Oxygen Monopropellants
- Lunar Soil Propellant (LSP)
- Lunar Bases & Lunar Concrete
- Small Launch Vehicle
- Pintle Nozzle With Thrust Vector Control
Mars Sample Return Lifting Off On Carbon Dioxide/Magnesium Powder Rocket Engines And Thrusters
The further exploration of Mars by robotic and manned missions will require a propellant taking advantage of what is available on Mars. Under NASA funding, our company is developing a new rocket engine and turbojet engine for use on Mars taking full advantage of Martian atmosphere - carbon dioxide. This new technology will enable rovers to fly over the surface of Mars and make a sample return mission feasible.
Static Test Of Wickman's Carbon Dioxide & Magnesium Powder Rocket Engine
In 1997, Wickman Spacecraft & Propulsion Company made a technological breakthrough by firing the first rocket engine which used carbon dioxide as the oxidizer. Since this historic event, the test engine has been fired repeatedly as part of the continuing NASA program to develop this revolutionary technology for future Mars Rovers and Mars Sample Return Missions.
- Play a video of a 40 lb thrust CO2/Mg rocket engine static firing. (file size 128K).
- Play a video of a 1 lb CO2/Mg thruster being cycled on-off, throttled and run at full power. (file size 531K).