The Łukasiewicz Research Network’s Institute of Aviation has successfully completed its second hot-fire test campaign for the Throttleable Liquid Propulsion Demonstrator rocket engine.
Development of the Throttleable Liquid Propulsion Demonstrator (TLPD) is led by a consortium of Polish companies under ESA’s Future Launchers Preparatory Programme. The engine uses high-test peroxide and ethanol and is capable of producing 5 kN of thrust.
The next phase of the engine’s development will involve upgrading it to a “flight-like” engine. According to a 25 February ESA update, this phase of the project has a budget of €5 million and will last two years.
Once completed, the upgraded variant of the Throttleable Liquid Propulsion Demonstrator engine will be designed for integration into a lander for Moon or Mars missions or for spacecraft focused on space debris removal or in-orbit servicing.