Test cell P8.3

The P8.3 test cell offers a unique research and innovation environment for European space propulsion systems.
The entire P8 test cell complex promotes the rapid industrial application of innovative technologies.
Credit:

DLR

Areas of application

  • Testing of turbopumps, engines and combustion chambers with cryogenic propellants
  • Component tests at system level

Fuels

  • Liquid hydrogen
  • Liquid oxygen
  • Liquid methane / natural gas

With the third test cell, the DLR Institute will not only be able to test individual components in future, but also to research the interaction of all components of a rocket engine - from the combustion chamber to the turbopumps to the valves - with a thrust of up to 7.5 tonnes. The transition to a complete system is a unique selling point that has been developed in the DLR LUMEN project. As part of LUMEN (Liquid Upper Stage Demonstrator Engine), DLR researchers are developing and testing a pump-fuelled liquid oxygen/methane engine. The LUMEN project focuses on the entire system of a cryogenic engine and is building up the necessary technical and project expertise.

Project

Liquide Upper Stage Demonstrator LUMEN

The LUMEN project aims to develop a complete liquid oxygen/methane demonstrator engine in the 25 kilonewton thrust class.