WASHINGTON — Revolutionary Rocket Technologies, generally known as iRocket, has signed an agreement with the Air Force Research Laboratory to jointly develop and test rocket propulsion hardware.
The Recent York-based startup, founded in 2018, develops rocket engines and plans to construct a small launch vehicle.
iRocket signed a four-year cooperative research and development agreement, or CRADA, with AFRL’s Rocket Propulsion Division, the corporate said Aug. 2.
The CRADA includes use of an Air Force facility, equipment and AFRL expertise “to enable each side to develop, construct, test and transition U.S. rocket engines at a quick pace,” said Shawn Phillips, chief of AFRL’s Rocket Propulsion Division.
“iRocket could have the chance to further advance and display their high thrust technology,” he said.
“AFRL may be very supportive of development efforts for rapid access to space to support Air Force and Space Force needs for 100% reusable rockets,” said Phillips.
Space Force contract
iRocket in June announced it won a U.S. Space Force contract to display a reusable rocket engine for small launch vehicles.
Under the CRADA, the corporate plans to conduct propulsion, stage, and potentially grasshopper testing at Test Site 1-56 on the High Thrust Research Facility, positioned at Edwards Air Force Base, California.
In line with AFRL, the High Thrust Rocket Research facility is considered one of only 4 stands in the US able to 10 million kilos of thrust.
“iRocket’s first milestone for the CRADA is to conduct a 120-180 second engine demo, showcasing 37,000 kilos of sea level thrust, inside the following 12 to 14 months,” said iRocket CEO Asad Malik.