Successful Final Presentation of the SF 1000 Rocket Engine
The SF 1000 rocket engine has completed its final presentation with great success. During the flight version final presentation on April 1st, 2022, the engine ran flawlessly for over 43 seconds.
Outstanding Test Results
The total impulse reached 1.15 MNs, exceeding the initial goal of 1.0 MNs. After the test, engineers measured the combustion chamber and the remaining nitrous oxide in the tank. Based on those results, they calculated a specific impulse of 2100 Ns/kg (≈214 s).
The test consumed over half a ton of propellants. Inspection confirmed that it was the best engine SpaceForest has developed so far. The hybrid fuel burned almost completely, reaching 90% efficiency.
During space flight, the engine will produce an additional 50 kNs of impulse by using the remaining gaseous oxidizer (N₂O) and leftover solid fuel. These results confirm that the SF 1000 rocket engine can achieve a total impulse of 1.2 MNs.
Advanced Thrust Vector Control
The Thrust Vector Control (TVC) actuator worked perfectly throughout the test. According to our knowledge, this was the first time such a mechanism operated with a hybrid rocket propulsion system.
In the test video, viewers can see the exhaust vanes detach near the end of engine operation when the TVC system turns off. The system proved both reliable and precise, marking another milestone in SpaceForest’s engineering progress.
Next Steps: PERUN Rocket Prototype
Two identical combustion chambers are now ready for integration with the PERUN rocket prototype. Work on the flight campaign is already underway, moving SpaceForest closer to another major milestone in hybrid rocket development.
Project Information
The “Suborbital Inexpensive Rocket Project” is part of activity 1.1 “R&D projects of enterprises” within the Intelligent Development Operational Program 2014–2020. It is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund.
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