Miranda (engine)
Country of origin | ![]() |
---|---|
Date | 2022 |
Designer | Firefly Aerospace |
Manufacturer | Firefly Aerospace |
Application | Main engine |
Associated LV | Antares 330 MLV |
Predecessor | Reaver |
Status | In development |
Liquid-fuel engine | |
Propellant | LOX / RP-1 |
Cycle | Tap-off |
Pumps | Turbopump |
Configuration | |
Chamber | 1 |
Performance | |
Thrust, vacuum | 1,023 kN (230,000 lbf) |
Specific impulse, vacuum | 305 s (2.99 km/s) |
References | |
References | [1] [2] |
Notes | engine is reusable on MLV vehicle |
Miranda is a liquid-fueled rocket engine currently being developed by Firefly Aerospace. The engine is designed to power both Firefly's MLV (Medium Launch Vehicle) and the Antares 330 from Northrop Grumman.[3]
Its development was necessitated by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the RD-181 engine previously used on the Antares was built in Russia and subject to sanctions.[4]
Development began in 2022 and in 2024 Firefly reported substantial progress on testing the engine.[5]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "New Medium Launch Vehicle". Firefly Aerospace. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
- ^ "Northrop Grumman Teams with Firefly Aerospace to Develop Antares Rocket Upgrade and New Medium Launch Vehicle". Firefly Aerospace. 17 August 2022.
- ^ Foust, Jeff (8 August 2022). "Northrop Grumman and Firefly to partner on upgraded Antares". SpaceNews. Retrieved 22 June 2024.
- ^ Brett Tingley (29 November 2023). "Firefly Aerospace's new rocket engine spouts green flames in 1st 'hot fire' test (photo)". Space.com. Retrieved 22 June 2024.
- ^ "After 14 hot fires on stubby engines, a full length Miranda engine is up next!".