A test of an engine for Japan's upcoming Epsilon rocket ended in an explosion on Tuesday (Nov. 26), the second time in less than two years that this engine has met an untimely end during testing.

01-07-2025 PREMIUM It took NASA decades to develop this special rocket engine. AI made it in 3 weeks Leap 71 designed and 3D printed an aerospike, one of the most elusive rocket engines in history.

This hot firing marks the conclusion of the development testing phase for the RE-101 hybrid rocket engine. 30 seconds test firing of the RE-101, December the 18th 2023.

Here’s how it works. Houston-based startup Venus Aerospace has completed the first-ever test flight of a rotating detonation rocket engine (RDRE) in the United States.