February 11, 2003- The Canadian Arrow team has announced that it is set to test the largest
liquid propellant engine ever built in Canada. The Arrow engine will be tested on Thursday,
February 20th at a gravel pit north of London.
The Canadian Arrow is a passenger space vehicle that is being built in London, Ontario to
compete for the $10 million X PRIZE.
The engine, with 57,000 pounds of thrust, is modeled after the V-2 rocket engine.
The test is one of a number of ramping-up trials, which will gradually increase and test the
powerful engine that will one day fly passengers into sub-orbital space.
On February 20th,at 1 p.m. the Canadian Arrow team will take the engine to about 30% of its
capacity or 20,000 to 30,000 lbs. of thrust. The engine is fueled by a mixture of liquid oxygen
and ethyl alcohol and consumes approximately 250 pounds of propellant per second.
The engine and test stand are part of an approximately 50 ft. tall structure that is surrounded on
three sides by concrete walls that are two feet thick. Large beams stand between the engine test
structure and the control center where the team will electronically direct and monitor the test.
“We were pleased with the success of our first burner cup test last summer,” said Canadian
Arrow Team Leader Geoff Sheerin. “Now, we’ll see how the 18 burner cups that make up our
main engine, function together.”
Members of the media are invited to attend the engine test. Please see additional information
on the following page for details on the logistics of the test.
If you would like to interview Geoff Sheerin about preparations for the test, he will be available
on Friday, February 14th from 9 a.m. until noon and can be reached at the Canadian Arrow office
at (519) 659-5852.
For more information contact: Ann Hutchison Communications (519) 858-0972
