In lower than 5 years, startup New Frontier Aerospace (NFA) has efficiently examined a brand new form of rocket engine that would make spaceflight cleaner, quicker, and extra reusable.
In June 2025, the corporate introduced it had efficiently accomplished a sequence of hot-fire assessments for its flagship Mjölnir rocket engine. Named after Thor’s legendary hammer from Norse mythology and the Marvel universe, Mjölnir is a compact, 3D printed powerhouse that mixes next-generation design with sustainable gas. In line with the corporate, it’s not solely essentially the most superior compact, pump-fed rocket engine ever constructed, but additionally one of many cleanest, working on liquid pure gasoline (LNG) that may be sourced from bio-waste, which makes it web carbon destructive.
Mjölnir, 3D printed rocket engine. Picture courtesy of NFA.
Mjölnir makes use of a specialised engine design that makes essentially the most of its gas through the use of all of it to chill and energy the engine earlier than it’s burned, which helps it run extra effectively. Whereas this design has been explored by only some main gamers (notably SpaceX’s Raptor engine), NFA is now bringing it to market in a compact type.
The recent-fire assessments confirmed that the engine works properly and runs effectively: “We’re pleased with the wonderful crew that constructed this program and thrilled with the engine’s efficiency throughout this sequence of sizzling fireplace assessments. Mjölnir’s compact design, unmatched effectivity, and clear gas make it a game-changer for hypersonic flight and house propulsion,” mentioned NFA CEO Invoice Bruner.
What’s It For?
Mjölnir is about to play a key position in NFA’s upcoming applied sciences. First, it would energy the Pathfinder, a hypersonic unmanned aerial system (UAS) that may take off and land vertically, primarily a rocket drone. NFA expects Pathfinder’s first hovering check flight in early 2026.
The engine may even be used within the Bifröst, an orbital switch spacecraft named after the legendary rainbow bridge connecting Earth and the realm of the gods in Norse mythology. It’s an amazing match for Mjölnir, and collectively the names present the corporate’s love for mythic references. It’s truly much like what SpaceX did with its sci-fi-inspired “Falcon” and “Dragon” spacecraft, names that pointed to large ambitions and a nod to popular culture.
Bifröst is scheduled to take flight in 2027. And past NFA’s fleet, Mjölnir is now accessible as a standalone product for patrons constructing their high-performance rockets or hypersonic methods.
Rendering of lunar lander. Picture courtesy of NFA.
Backed by Massive Names
Growing a rocket engine from scratch isn’t any small feat, and NFA didn’t do it alone. The early growth of Mjölnir was made attainable due to seed funding from the Nationwide Safety Innovation Capital program, a part of the U.S. Division of Protection (DoD)’s Protection Innovation Unit. What’s extra, the newest check sequence was backed by NASA, including much more credibility to the challenge’s progress.
Rendering of navy hypersonic VTOL. Picture courtesy of NFA.
Compact, highly effective, and environmentally accountable, Mjölnir is a superb match for right this moment’s aerospace wants. Because the house business appears for reusable and fast-launching methods, there’s rising demand for engines which are each environment friendly and eco-friendly. NFA’s design, with its clean-burning gas, matches the push to cut back carbon in house and protection applied sciences.
Plus, hypersonic autos which are able to touring at speeds better than Mach 5 are seen as important for nationwide safety, world logistics, and even continuous journey. An engine like Mjölnir might assist make some of these autos extra sensible and extensively accessible.
Rendering of civil hypersonic VTOL. Picture courtesy of NFA.
With the primary flights of Pathfinder and Bifröst on the horizon, and Mjölnir now accessible to different aerospace builders, NFA’s compact rocket engine could possibly be a key enabler for the following wave of sustainable house and high-speed flight.
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