this post was submitted on 04 Jan 2024
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After setting foot on the Moon, the next destination for humankind is Mars, which presents a whole new set of challenges in speedy, long-distance space travel.

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[–] [email protected] 172 points 11 months ago (5 children)

It's a Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine"

What makes the RDRE so revolutionary is that it makes use of a sustained detonation circling around a ring-shaped channel, fed by a mix of fuel and oxygen which is ignited by each passing explosion.
Crucially, the RDRE uses less propellant fuel than conventional rocket engines, and is simpler in terms of its machinery and mechanisms. That means going into space becomes cheaper, and traveling further distances becomes possible.

Saved you a click.

[–] [email protected] 38 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) (1 children)

NASA invented a space ship powered by a rotary engine? Noice, at least until the apex seals give out, but they should be good for 80k at least.

[–] RangerAndTheCat 24 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Wankel and Mazda shine blessings upon you and your RX family

[–] Cocodapuf 2 points 11 months ago

The wankel and rdre aren't really related, but they're similar in that they're both oddball engines with surprising performance.

Of all of my near future rocket engine predictions, a working aerospike rdre was not on my list... I'm honestly very impressed!

[–] Agent641 24 points 11 months ago

Thank you I was running low on clicks.

[–] [email protected] 16 points 11 months ago (2 children)

That sounds sick. I wonder which sci-fi author came up with this idea ~60 years ago.

[–] c0mbatbag3l 4 points 11 months ago (1 children)
[–] ikidd 1 points 11 months ago

I'd put money on Robert Forward.

[–] T156 1 points 11 months ago

Maybe the Jetsons, or the turbine engines in Star Wars? If you squint hard enough, it comes close enough.

[–] Donebrach 12 points 11 months ago

So it’s truthfully Revolutionary, hark! A spinning engine

[–] LazaroFilm 11 points 11 months ago (1 children)

So they invented the rocket powered wheel?