About us
Engine is the heart of any rocket. We are a highly motivated and determined team aimed at the delivery of assistance to European fully private companies in access to space by creating appropriate liquid-propelled engines.
We have designed the following engines that operate using green propellant - hydrogen peroxide and kerosene:
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Sustainer with 3.5 kN thrust in vacuum intended for the third stage of orbital launch vehicle.
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Sustainer with 30 kN thrust at sea level intended for suborbital launch vehicle.
Closed-cycle engine with 70 kN thrust at sea level designed for the first and second stages of orbital launch vehicle is under development. The majority of engineers in our team worked for big space companies and contributed to such launch programs as Sea launch, Vega and Antares. Some of them have a Ph.D. Our latest work, which we are very proud of, was for British Company Skyrora ltd.
THE SKYFORCE ENGINE
The SKYFORCE is a unique staged combustion engine that runs on Hydrogen Peroxide and Kerosene. A closed cycle allows the engine to be throttled over a wide range and increase the specific impulse without over-engineering of the design.
The engine is used for the first and second stages of the launch vehicle. Nine engines will power the first stage, and one engine with an extended, vacuum optimized nozzle will power the second stage.
The use of a common engine on both stages allows the number of static test firings required for engine validation to be reduced.
SKYROR ENGINE
Liquid-propellant engine with a gas-cylinder type pressure feeding system using cold gas as a propellant.
Helium is used as a pressurisation fluid.
Liquid propellants such as high-test peroxide (oxidiser) and kerosene (fuel) are used for propulsion. Propulsion thrust in nominal conditions is 30 kN.
LEO ENGINE
The LEO engine is a pressure-fed rocket engine, designed to power the third stage of a launch vehicle. As with the first and second stages, to maintain commonality, it uses Hydrogen Peroxide and Kerosene as propellant components. The design of the thrust chamber is adapted for 3D printing.
This approach makes the manufacturing process adjustable to accommodate any design changes, and simplifies the manufacturing process for the regeneratively cooled combustion chamber and injector head. Adding to its flexibility, this design also allows the use of HTP as monopropellant.
At present, a prototype of this engine has successfully been fired 8 times, with a total burn time of more than 600 seconds. Another prototype is soon to be fired in the UK.
Propulsion System Engineering
Our services are rendered by a small team of engineers featuring strong theoretical knowledge as well as practical experience in designing two-component liquid-propelled rocket engines with propellant-pressurised and turbopump feed systems. The key activity areas in the field of Propulsion System Engineering are: analysis, design and system engineering of space propulsion systems.
The OrbitalImpulse team performs the complete cycle of liquid-propelled engines design, proceeding from the experience in the space industry, in particular:
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design, analysis, refinement, and testing of two-component liquid-propelled rocket engines with propellant-pressurised feed system;
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design, analysis, refinement, and testing of propulsion systems run by cold gas;
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design and refinement of liquid-propelled rocket engines with turbopump propellant feed of both open and closed cycle;
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simulation of processes occurring in propulsion systems and fuel systems;
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improvement of mixing process in combustion chambers (using both single and two-component injectors);
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design and development of automation units;
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selection of automation units from a number of commercially available basing on functionality;
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system design;
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preparation of design and engineering documentation.
Careers
Propulsion Engineer
Responsibilities
You have to be technically sound within the rocket propulsion field, and your qualifications / experience base should contain several of these points:
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Designing systems and structures for pump-fed liquid rocket engines, including component sizing, and preliminary design/analysis.
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Creating and managing test and development plans for engines and propulsion components.
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Analysis and interpretation of test and flight data.
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Test data management, equipment configuration logs, and development activities with other departments coordination.
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Written and oral test result submission and presentation.
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Willingness to help ORBITALIMPULSE SERVICES LTD contribute into making the world a better place.
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Constant learning of the new systems and sharing with your team members.
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Willingness to carry out other assigned duties.
To join us, you need to have:
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Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering.
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2+ years’ working experience in liquid propellant launch vehicles.
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Experience in rocket development, design and / or testing.
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Ability to solve complex problems with little to no supervision in accordance with the schedule, both independently and as a member of the joint team.
Security
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You must be a European citizen, from a country that has signed the MTCR Convention. You may be required to undergo security screening.
To apply please send a CV and cover letter to info@orbitalimpulse.com
Propulsion Test Engineer
Responsibilities
You must be technically sound in the field of rocket propulsion systems, and your qualifications / experience base should contain several of these points:
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Knowledge of rocket propulsion systems design and the principles of the test process. Knowledge base should include testing process, industry standards, as well as the fundamental principles of bench equipment designing.
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Knowledge of thermodynamic principles in terms of cryogenics and high-pressure systems to ensure that test facilities can provide physical parameters specific to each engine or system component.
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Knowledge of safety principles and best practices while working in an industrial environment with high pressure fluids.
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Test plans, test procedures preparation and configuration management system maintenance.
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Being a member of a test team, operating tests from remote control room.
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Data analysis and data reviews and reports preparation to evaluate facility performance.
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Working with technicians in the field to assemble test stands and prepare test articles prior to testing.
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Working with design and development engineers to define, coordinate and control the functional and physical interfaces between the propulsion system and the launch vehicle.
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Preparation and conducting of certification tests for propulsion sub-systems and components. Bench systems support to assure continued reliability.
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Willingness to help ORBITALIMPULSE SERVICES LTD contribute into making the world a better place.
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Constant learning of the new systems and sharing with your team members.
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Willingness to carry out other assigned duties.
To join us, you need to have:
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Knowledge of liquid aerospace propulsion systems or pressurized system manufacturing processes and test & integration procedures.
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General skills in determining the calculations execution, determining the main dimensions and performing measurements on the basis of existing experience and / or formal training.
Security
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You must be a European citizen, from a country that has signed the MTCR Convention. You may be required to undergo security screening.
To apply please send a CV and cover letter to info@orbitalimpulse.com
Contacts
ORBITALIMPULSE SERVICES LTD
108 Princes Street, Floor 2, Edinburgh, Scotland, EH2 3AA