Astrobotic Successfully Tests Engine for Future Moon Missions
Astrobotic Technology has successfully conducted a hotfire test of its Chakram engine prototype, a rotating detonation rocket engine (RDRE), at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. The engine achieved a continuous burn of 300 seconds, demonstrating its potential for cislunar and logistics missions. The RDRE design aims to enhance efficiency by up to 15% and reduce engine size, utilizing supersonic detonation waves. Although not yet space-proven, the terrestrial test was completed on a budget of less than $1.5 million. Astrobotic plans to incorporate this technology into future missions, including its Griffin lander, which is set to attempt a lunar landing this year. 
