SMART Ignition System for Highly Reusable Rockets

Fully reusable launch vehicles are the inevitable long-term future for space access, for all payload classes. One of the technological challenges in realising this for smaller launcher vehicles is the propulsion system, which is easily the most expensive part of any launch vehicle. To this end, this project looks to develop a core building block to such a proposed rocket engine -- the ignition system.

This ignition system must be capable of multiple relights, and reuse between launches with minimal maintenance, and its successful development will help enable breakthrough development of fully reusable launch vehicles. The core technology will be rapidly advanced to TRL 4, with a functional prototype produced.