iRocket and NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Announce Agreement

iRocket and NASA Forge Partnership for Rapid Commercialization

The reusable rocket company, iRocket, has established a new collaborative agreement with NASA. This partnership is a key step in the company’s objective to achieve commercial operations within the next two years.

Access to NASA Expertise and Facilities

This collaboration grants iRocket access to vital technical and engineering resources, primarily located at the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. The company anticipates conducting its initial rocket engine test – a ground-based firing – in September.

iRocket is allocating $50 million over the coming five years towards the testing and advancement of its reusable engines and launch vehicle systems. Utilizing NASA facilities could provide access to essential test stands, which offer controlled environments for engine evaluation.

Testing Capabilities at Multiple NASA Centers

While an additional application will be necessary to test at the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC), iRocket will be able to perform vacuum testing – simulating conditions found in space – at the Glenn Research Center in Ohio. Sea level testing will be conducted at Marshall.

“We are actively engaged in detailed discussions, extending to the center level, specifically at the Marshall Space Flight Center,” stated iRocket CEO Asad Malik in a recent interview with TechCrunch.

Shockwave Launch Vehicle and Engine Specifications

The engines under development are intended to power iRocket’s initial Shockwave launch vehicles. These will be fully reusable, autonomous, small launchers designed to carry payloads weighing up to approximately 300 kg (661 lbs.) and 1,500 kg (around 3,300 lbs.).

These engines are being manufactured using 3D printing technology and will operate on methane and liquid oxygen. According to Malik, “Methane is poised to become the preferred fuel for future deep space missions.”

Ambitious Goals: Hypersonic Capabilities and Beyond

The New York-based startup also aims to engineer engines capable of hypersonic flight, representing a particularly challenging undertaking. iRocket’s vision extends to becoming a leading provider of both reusable rocket engines and complete launch systems.

A significant differentiator for iRocket is its design for full reusability of both rocket stages. This capability, Malik suggests, could enable the company to not only launch satellites and cargo but also address issues like space debris removal and the retrieval of experiments for biotechnology firms.

Market Opportunity Following Aerojet Rocketdyne Acquisition

Malik highlighted the pending sale of Aerojet Rocketdyne to Lockheed Martin – currently under review by the Federal Trade Commission – as creating a potential market gap. “This will result in a lack of an independent rocket supplier within the U.S., coinciding with strong congressional support for reducing reliance on foreign-sourced components,” he explained.

“Therefore, this presents an opportunity for us to collaborate with the government, the Pentagon, NASA, and other stakeholders to develop the next generation of space propulsion technology that is essential for our future.”