This appears to be a pressure-fed rather than pumped engine, so limited real-world utility. Nonetheless, it’s incredibly impressive especially given that it seems to have been successful on the first try.
I wonder how practical it might be to integrate turbo machinery into an automated design system like this?
Oh, and it really is beautiful with copper construction and that fascinating swirl.
> This appears to be a pressure-fed rather than pumped engine, so limited real-world utility
This is addressed in the article:
> This is a relatively compact engine, which would be suitable for a final kick stage of an orbital rocket.
It has lots of real world application, just not currently as part of a lift stage since you're right it's a pressure based one as opposed to a pumped engine.
All are pressure fed. A pump generates pressure. It's common to test engine components without pumps using high pressure vessels in lieu of pumps. The E Complex at Stennis Space Center specializes in this approach.
Pressure fed is a fixed term when applied to rocket engines and means “fed only by the pressure in the tank (which is most of the time generated by having a pressurization system fed by another high pressure helium tank) and not by a pump”.
“ The engine uses thin cooling channels that swirl around the chamber jacket, with a variable cross sections as thin as 0.8mm. The Kerosene is pressed through the channels to cool the engine and prevent it from melting.”
I wonder how practical it might be to integrate turbo machinery into an automated design system like this?
Oh, and it really is beautiful with copper construction and that fascinating swirl.