Rocket engine for radical single stage aerospike is ready

For decades, space agencies around the world have relied on multi-stage rockets to deliver craft and cargo to orbit. But, a ground-breaking new rocket equipped with an'aerospike' engine could soon change that as developers announce it is ready for ground tests. Las Cruces-based company Arca says its Single Stage to Orbit (SSTO) rocket dubbed'Haas 2CA' will be able to launch 100 kg (220lbs) of payload to low Earth orbit – and could get there in less than five minutes. Las Cruces-based company Arca says its Single Stage to Orbit (SSTO) rocket dubbed'Haas 2CA' will be able to launch 100 kg (220lbs) of payload to low Earth orbit – and could get there in less than 5 minutes. Unlike typical, multi-stage systems, the design means the rocket won't have any additional stages to shed during its deployment Using a linear aerospike engine dubbed the'Executor,' the rocket can auto adapt to the altitude pressure drop, allowing the use of up to 30 percent less fuel.