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Air Force

Musk Likes Methane Engine For Next-Generation Rocket Engine Program

Pat Host

Wednesday, June 11th, 2014

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Musk Likes Methane Engine For Next-Generation Rocket Engine Program

SpaceX founder and CEO Elon Musk speaks during an April 25, 2014, press conference in Washington. Photo: SpaceX.

Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) CEO and Chief Designer Elon Musk prefers a methane engine if the Defense Department decides to pursue a next-generation liquid rocket engine program. Musk said a next-generation engine should be methane because it has a higher specific impulse capability than kerosene, which fuels the Russian-made RD-180 engine currently used in many national security space launches. Specific impulse determines the thrust of a rocket and indicates engine efficiency. An engine with a higher value of specific…

Congress

SASC Cites Concern With Army’s sUAS Approach, Seeks Info On Plans To Scale Fielding

Senate defense authorizers are seeking more info from the Army on its plans for scaling and deploying small drone capabilities citing concern with the service’s current “fragmented and insufficient” approach. […]

SASC Bill Would Raise Amphib Requirement To 33 Ships

The Senate Armed Services Committee’s (SASC) fiscal year 2027 defense policy bill adds new provisions that would raise the Navy and Marine Corps’ minimum requirement for amphibious warships and extend […]

Army

Army Plans To Initiate ISV-Heavy Competition Later This Year, Official Says

The Army is planning to initiate its competition to build the Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV)-Heavy in the fourth quarter of this year, a senior acquisition official has said. Jesse Tolleson, […]

Senate Authorization Bill Restricts Building Navy Warships Overseas With Limited Exception For Auxiliaries

The Senate Armed Services Committee’s (SASC) version of the FY 2027 defense policy bill looks to cut the ability for the Trump administration to buy foreign-made warships, but still allow […]