Booster Vehicle Engines
Northrop Grumman is developing booster vehicle engines that will provide low-cost access to space.
Based on Northrop Grumman's pintle engine technology, Northrop Grumman's 650,000-pound thrust TR-106 engine is one of the largest liquid rockets ever built. It has been successfully test fired at 100 percent of its rated thrust as well as at 65 percent throttle condition in tests at NASA's John C. Stennis Space Center.
Designed as a simple, easy-to-manufacture, low cost engine, the TR-106 has parts made from common steel alloys using standard industrial fabrication techniques, uses ablative cooling techniques in place of more expensive regenerative cooling, and features the least complex type of rocket propellant injector a single element coaxial pintle injector. The pintle injector contains only five parts (excluding seals, attachment nuts, bolts and washers).
Under contract to NASA, Northrop Grumman is continuing to develop this engine for potential use on next-generation launch and space transportation vehicles.