Beal Aerospace Technologies

Powered by hydrogen peroxide and kerosene, the engine eliminated the need for a separate ignition system because, as the hydrogen peroxide oxidized, it ignited the kerosene. On March 4, 2000, Beal Aerospace tested the BA-810 Stage 2 engine, which was the largest liquid-fueled rocket engine built since NASA's Apollo Saturn V rocket. The 810,000-poun... d vacuum thrust hydrogen peroxide/kerosene engine made a 21-second firing at the company's engine test facility in McGregor, Texas. In light of competition from NASA, Mr. Beal closed the company and ceased operations on Oct. 23, 2000, citing the difficulty a private company faced in competing with NASA's subsidized space programs. Following the closure, it was reported that "Mr. Beal told a Senate subcommittee last year that private-sector launch systems would be at risk if the government decided to subsidize similar systems by government contractors. Congress approved NASA's Space Launch Initiative last week, allocating an initial $290 million for it . . . . 'That was the straw that broke the camel's back,' Mr. Beal said. (Source: The Dallas Morning News, October 24, 2000)Read More