Rocket Engines
Our rocket engines are built to customer specifications.  Below is a selection of engines that illustrate some of our capabilities.  Click on any engine class to learn more. (listed by order of thrust)

• XR-2P1 15 lbf N2O-Ethane
  R&D and educational, variable propellants and third fluid injections
   
• XR-3E17 56 lbf N2O-Ethane
  Stationkeeping - storable
   
• XR-3B4 50 lbf N2O-Isopropyl
  Stationkeeping - storable
  
  
• XR-3M9 50 lbf LOX-Methane
  Stationkeeping - storable
   
• XR-4A3 400 lbf LOX-Alcohol
  Auxilliary or primary propulsion
   
• XR-4K14 1,500 lbf LOX-Kerosene
  Primary propulsion, 'Rocket Racer' engine
   
• XR-4K5 1,800 lbf LOX-Kerosene
  Primary propulsion
   
• XR-5K18 2,700 lbf LOX-Kerosene
  Primary propulsion, Lynx
   
• XR-5M15 7,500 lbf LOX-Methane
  Primary propulsion, space storable

Click here to visit the XR-5K18 gallery

The XCOR XR-5K18 rocket engine will be used to power its Lynx suborbital launch vehicle to the edge of space.

This engine produces between 2500-2900 lbf thrust by burning a mixture of liquid oxygen and kerosene.  The test program for the first iteration of this engine began on December 15th, 2008 at XCOR’s rocket test facility located at the Mojave Air and Space Port. 

The 5K18 has design and performance characteristics similar to a previous XCOR engine, the 4K14, which has a full test and flight history as the X-Racer engine. This makes it an ideal model on which to base the Lynx engine. The primary differences in design are:

• 5K18’s chamber pressure and thrust are approximately two times that of the 4K14

• 5K18 has a nozzle extension to optimize specific impulse and thrust at higher altitudes

• Both engine chambers are regeneratively cooled by kerosene, but the 5K18 has additional coolant loops for the nozzle extension.

The basic cooling design of the 5K18 has been completed and the engine has run continuously at thermal equilibrium. Plus, it has already demonstrated the ability to stop then restart safely and reliably on XCOR’s proprietary spark torch ignition system.