Germany’s MT Aerospace has completed initial pressure tests for its SCOUT rocket upper stage tank demonstrator.
Development of the Sandwich Common bulkhead Optimized Upper Stage Tank (SCOUT) project began as early as 2015, following on from the work done for CRONUS (Cryogenic Optimized New Upper Stage). CRONUS was based on an Ariane 6 upper stage, with the tank assembly scaled down and the addition of a common bulkhead.
The sandwich common bulkhead separates two tank volumes for LOX and LH2. It also ensures that the different temperatures in the two volumes remain constant. The net result is a reduction in weight and complexity.
In 2018, ESA awarded MT Aerospace a €9.9 million contract for SCOUT under its Future Launch Preparatory Programme (FLPP). The aim of the SCOUT project is to produce and test a full-scale version of CRONUS validating the technology and manufacturing techniques for possible inclusion in future rocket upper stages.
MT Aerospace announced that it had completed the construction of the SCOUT demonstrator tank in March 2024. On Monday, the company revealed that the tank had completed an initial pressure test campaign.
The tanks were first filled with helium to test for any leaks. The tanks were then filled with water and pressurized with nitrogen. According to the company, “preliminary evaluation of all test data showed positive results.”
The SCOUT demonstrator will now be shipped to the DLR test facility in Trauen to undergo a cryogenic test campaign.
