New Frontier Aerospace tests 3D-printed rocket engine for future flight applications

Kent, Wash.-based New Frontier Aerospace says it has put its 3D-printed Mjölnir rocket engine through a series of successful hot-fire tests, in preparation for an initial flight test of a hypersonic drone that could take place as early as next year.

Mjölnir is named after the hammer that was wielded by Thor in Norse mythology (and in Marvel movies). The first job for this hammer would be to propel an uncrewed aerial system called Pathfinder for a series of hovering tests, currently set for 2026. Eventually, Pathfinder could be used for weapons testing or for suborbital point-to-point cargo transport.

The engine is also slated for use on New Frontier’s Bifröst orbital transfer spacecraft, which is due to fly into space by 2027. (Continuing with the Norse mythology theme, Bifröst was the rainbow bridge that connected the realm of humans with the realm of the gods.) Mjölnir, which is fueled by liquid natural gas, will also be marketed to other aerospace ventures as a standalone product.

“We are proud of the amazing team that built this program and thrilled with the engine’s performance during this series of hot-fire tests,” Bill Bruner, CEO of New Frontier Aerospace, said in a news release. “Mjölnir’s compact design, unmatched efficiency, and clean fuel make it a game-changer for hypersonic flight and space propulsion. It is poised to power our ambitious roadmap and open new possibilities for our customers.”

New Frontier credited NASA as well as National Security Innovation Capital, part of the Pentagon’s Defense Innovation Unit, for providing the funding to support engine development and testing. NSIC awarded a $1.5 million contract extension to New Frontier in 2023, and NASA provided the company with two small-business grants totaling nearly $1 million in 2023 and 2024.

Check out this animation illustrating how a Pathfinder flight test might go:

Hat tip to Isaac Alexander at Hype Aerospace Insights.