With co-financing from the French space agency CNES, The Exploration Company kicked off the development of its Typhoon rocket engine in early 2024. According to its website, the company’s full-flow staged combustion cycle reusable rocket engine is designed to produce 200 tonnes of thrust. However, a recent LinkedIn update suggests the company has revised its projections to 250 tonnes.
On 13 February, The Exploration Company announced the successful completion of the first test campaign for the engine’s oxygen-rich pre-burner. According to the update, a total of 16 tests were conducted, including cold flow trials, hybrid ignitions, and full-firing attempts, with the company achieving approximately 16 seconds of stable combustion.