Self-eating rocket wins UK MoD support

It is claimed that the autophage engine, which is being built at the Glasgow University’s James Watt School of Engineering – could be used to launch payloads from spaceports across the UK.

Autophage engines have already been test-fired by the Glasgow team using all-solid propellant. The new funding will underwrite the research required to use a more energetic hybrid propellant. The engine will be test-fired at Kingston University's new rocket laboratory in London next year.

“The autophage concept is simple,” said Dr Patrick Harkness, of the James Watt School of Engineering, “burn the tanks as well. That saves the excess mass, and it means that we can miniaturise the vehicle without hitting this wall."

Harkness explained that the body of a hybrid autophage rocket will be a tube of solid fuel, containing a liquid oxidiser. The entire assembly will be consumed, from the bottom up, by an engine which will vaporise the fuel tube, add the oxidiser, and burn the mixture to create thrust. The engine will have consumed the entire body of the rocket by the time the assembly reaches orbit, and only the payload will be left.