A Houston company developing the next generation of space exploration technology is celebrating a new milestone in one of its technologies.
Intuitive Machines reports that the VR900 has completed a full period of hot-fire testing, qualifying it for the IM-2 lunar mission. The company says this qualification also advances development of the VR3500, an engine designed for large cargo-class landers.
The engine technology is all designed, 3D printed and tested at Intuitive Machines’ Houston facility, which opened at the Houston Spaceport last year.
Intuitive Machines CEO Steve Artemas said in a news release that the company’s goal was to pioneer scalable deep-space engines as the industry moves toward lunar missions.
“This validated engine design meets current mission demands and paves the way for the VR3500 engine for cargo delivery such as lunar surface vehicles, human spaceflight cargo resupply and other infrastructure delivery,” Artemas continued. “We believe we are well positioned to build on our successful development and apply the technology to current contracts and future lunar infrastructure delivery requirements.”
Earlier this year, Intuitive Machines was one of three companies selected for a $30 million contract from NASA to develop an early-stage rover to carry U.S. astronauts across the surface of the moon.
Another Houston company has also had success with engine testing: In March, Venus Aerospace, in partnership with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), announced it had successfully completed the first long-duration engine test of a rotating detonation rocket engine.
