Project STERN
The STERN project (Static Test Expansion deflection Rocket Nozzle) was conceived to construct advanced rocket engine hardware to investigate the performance of an Expansion Deflection (ED) rocket design, evaluate its potential for use as a key technology for a turbine based combined air-breathing rocket engine for the Skylon Single Stage To Orbit spaceplane, and to produce the first published results from a live firing of an ED design.
The ED nozzle will then continue to be evaluated in free flight conditions, through its use on sounding rockets and other test vehicles.
The STERN engine is the first ED nozzle rocket engine to be tested in the UK.
The STERN project (Static Test Expansion deflection Rocket Nozzle) was formed by a consortium of Reaction Engines Limited, University of Bristol and Airborne Engineering Limited.
On the Skylon spaceplane, the altitude compensation of ED nozzles offers the promise of further improvements to the Skylon propulsion system, the SABRE (Synergetic Air Breathing Rocket Engine). This is why a hydrogen / air combination was chosen for the hot fire run tests of the STERN engine.
