[SatNews] This proto program is to develop South African local satellite launch vehicle capabilities...

Marcom Aeronautics & Space is developing a rocket engine in support of its Cheetah-1 satellite launch vehicle, a two stage expendable launch vehicle designed to carry up to 1000kg to low-Earth orbit as South Africa moves towards greater self-sufficiency in space. The MAS-10K is a 10 kN thrust, regeneratively cooled, pressure fed, Liquid Oxygen/Ethanol rocket engine that is currently in development, manufacture and testing by Marcom. Although the MAS-10K will be the prototype engine for the Cheetah-1, the overarching objective is to provide key cost information with respect to the development and manufacture of more substantial engines and benchmark the total cost of developing local launch capability in South Africa, Marcom said.

The engine is designed and manufactured entirely in South Africa making use of various local aerospace, CNC, casting, valve and tank companies. To date, manufacture has been completed on key items of the engine (i.e., the spark torch igniter, injector plate, injectors, liquid oxygen manifold in addition to primary engine structural components). Engine control will be provided by a specifically designed and locally manufactured engine control computer which is currently undergoing final testing. In further support of engine monitoring and control, delivery has been taken of all supporting control valves and instrumentation. Cryogenic testing of the main propellant valves and injector sealing arrangement has been successfully completed. Full engine assembly is expected shortly.

Once the engine assembly has been pressure tested, Marcom will undertake a three month long cold and hot firing testing program. As a prototype research and development engine with limited chamber pressure and expansion ratio, the MAS-10K is not expected to be considered for flight, however, with further development and testing and with the addition of an appropriate radiation cooled nozzle extension, the engine could be used as an upper-stage kick- motor for orbital transfer trajectories, Marcom said. The manufacturing processes incorporated in the MAS-10K program are fully scalable and will be used in follow on development programs to build and test the first and second stage engines of the Cheetah-1 commercial satellite launch vehicle (CSLV). (Source: defenceWeb.)