Shooting for the Stars

Dedicated launch services for everyone Reaction Dynamics (RDX) was founded in 2016 by CEO, Bachar Elzein, to address this exact issue. The startup has developed a breakthrough rocket technology that provides the means for an eco-friendly launch solution. Leveraging its breakthrough green hybrid rocket engines, the company's launch technology will pave the way towards clean access to Earth's orbit at a fraction of currently available prices.

Hybrid rocket engines are nothing new – they’ve been around since the 1930s – but previously they have only been able to run at peak performance for a few seconds. As a result, satellite launch companies have used more complex and more expensive liquid fuelled rocket engines. However, RDX’s invention provides better performance over longer duration burn times than any previous hybrid rocket engine – and most importantly, good enough to reach orbit. The propulsion system is much simpler than that of other rocket engines, making manufacturing much cheaper and reliability significantly higher as there are fewer parts that can fail. This also means that vehicle production can be scaled rapidly and, combined with the ease of handling of the propellants, enables a rapid and responsive launch service.

RDX will be manufacturing and operating its own orbital rockets for small satellite launch as a service. Priced at $15,000 USD per kilogram this will compete with other small launch companies as well as some heavy launch companies. The key difference is that RDX provide a dedicated ride at a similar price point to a rideshare on a large rocket. Elzein describes it as “Offering customers a taxi service for the same amount you’d pay for a bus. They can decide exactly when and where their satellites are launched rather than waiting for a rocket that happens to be going in the right direction.” The simplicity of the design means the rockets can be built and launched very quickly, enabling rapid response times which would be ideal for the reconstitution of damaged or destroyed military assets in space. With RDX’s dedicated small satellite service, customers will have full control over the schedule and can have their satellite in orbit within a matter of weeks instead of waiting up to three years to ride along on a bigger rocket. RDX can always find the correct launch point for the required orbit as they have access to spaceports across the world. And for smaller operators who can’t afford a dedicated rocket, their service can be sold to launch brokers who will aggregate small satellite payloads.

So how have RDX managed to design their new hybrid rocket engine which is set to revolutionise the satellite launch industry?