Space History Photo: Test Firing of Linear Aerospike Engine

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Three thrust cells of Linear Aerospike engines are tested in April of 1997. (Image credit: NASA | Dennis Olive.)

In this historical photo from the U.S. space agency, a Linear Aerospike engine to be used for propulsion for the X-33 Reusable Launch vehicle (RLV) is shown being tested on April 27, 1997. A testing of three thrust cells of Linear Aerospike engines was conducted to investigate injectors, chambers, and Aerospike ramps at Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC).

The X-33 was intended to demonstrate advanced technologies that would dramatically increase launch vehicle reliability and lower the cost of putting a pound of payload into space.

Each weekday, SPACE.com looks back at the history of spaceflight through photos (archive).

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