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The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has awarded Rocket Crafters Inc. (RCI) a $542,600 research contract, for which RCI is tasked to build and test a rocket engine using its patented Direct-Digital Advanced Rocket Technology (D-DART). During the eight-month period of performance, Rocket Crafters aims to design, build, and test a 5,000 lbf peak thrust, throttle-capable hybrid rocket engine.
According to DARPA, in theory, hybrid rockets have several advantages over the more commonly used solid and liquid chemical rockets. They can be throttled and restarted, unlike a solid rocket, and are...