PEPEk Rocket Engine
A PEroxide Propulsion Element

Key design parameters of the concept

Storable, non toxic, environmentally friendly propellants:

  • H2O2 + Hydrocarbon fuel

Hypergolic (i.e. spontaneous) ignition by means of a special (starting) hypergolic fuel mixture:

  • No ignition system required, no solid catalyst required
  • Restart ability
  • Allows to use a stabilized technical grade peroxide

Variable injector wetted area:

  • Highly throttle-able (Thrust level lower limit only due to chamber cooling constraints and/or nozzle flow separation.)
  • Gradual startup / shutdown sequences, low risk of a hard start
  • An idle run possible (a “standby” mode)

Lower chamber temperature, moderate chamber pressure:

  • Better reusability (longer lifespan)

Propellants supplied by means of electric pumps:

  • Simple and reliable pumping system
  • Low pressure propellant tanks for enhanced user friendliness and safety level and lower mass.

PEPEk-1 Specifications

Nominal thrust at the sea level1.1kN
Thrust level range (% of the Nominal)30% - 115%
OxidizerH2O2 90% + stabilized
FuelHydrocarbon fuel
Nominal chamber pressure2.5 MPa
Average propellant density1250 kg/m3
ISP at the sea level* nozzle expansion ratio 6.5224 s
ISP in vacuum* nozzle expansion ratio 6.5251 s
ISP in vacuum* - vacuum version, nozzle expansion ratio 150307 s
*At nominal conditions; Frozen equilibrium at the throat; Expansion ratio 9.0; Nozzle efficiency 0.985; C* efficiency 0.95

PEPEk-15 Specifications

Nominal thrust at the sea level16.5kN
Thrust level range (% of the Nominal)15% - 115%
OxidizerH2O2 90% + stabilized
FuelHydrocarbon fuel
Nominal chamber pressure4.0 MPa
Average propellant density1250 kg/m3
ISP at the sea level* nozzle expansion ratio 6.5235 s
ISP in vacuum* nozzle expansion ratio 6.5260 s
ISP in vacuum* - vacuum version, nozzle expansion ratio 150307 s
*At nominal conditions; Frozen equilibrium at the throat; Expansion ratio 9.0; Nozzle efficiency 0.985; C* efficiency 0.95

PEPEk-30 Specifications

Nominal thrust at the sea level33kN
Thrust level range (% of the Nominal)15% - 115%
OxidizerH2O2 90% + stabilized
FuelHydrocarbon fuel
Nominal chamber pressure4.0 MPa
Average propellant density1250 kg/m3
ISP at the sea level* nozzle expansion ratio 6.5235 s
ISP in vacuum* nozzle expansion ratio 6.5260 s
ISP in vacuum* - vacuum version, nozzle expansion ratio 150307 s
*At nominal conditions; Frozen equilibrium at the throat; Expansion ratio 9.0; Nozzle efficiency 0.985; C* efficiency 0.95