Abstract: A rocket engine having a co-axial, bidirectional flow arrangement is described herein. The rocket engine receives fuel and an oxidizer into the rocket engine in a first direction, whereby a portion of the fuel is combusted in a pre-burner. The flow direction of the partially combusted fuel/oxidizer mixture is reversed, whereby the mixture is introduced into a combustion chamber. The fuel and oxidizer are combusted in the combustion chamber. The combustion products exit a throat and an expansion plenum in a direction similar to the first direction, whereby the combustion products exit a nozzle of the rocket engine, providing thrust.

Abstract: A system and methods for high heat transfer rate reusable thermal protection are presented. A porous skin comprises an exposed exterior surface and a non-exposed surface, and a coolant reservoir comprises perforations coupled to the non-exposed surface, and valves. The valves regulate a flow of coolant from the coolant reservoir to the porous skin in response to a temperature of the porous skin.

Abstract: A system and methods for high heat transfer rate reusable thermal protection are presented. A porous skin comprises an exposed exterior surface and a non-exposed surface, and a coolant reservoir comprises perforations coupled to the non-exposed surface, and valves. The valves regulate a flow of coolant from the coolant reservoir to the porous skin in response to a temperature of the porous skin.

Abstract: A rocket engine having a co-axial, bidirectional flow arrangement is described herein. The rocket engine receives fuel and an oxidizer into the rocket engine in a first direction, whereby a portion of the fuel is combusted in a pre-burner. The flow direction of the partially combusted fuel/oxidizer mixture is reversed, whereby the mixture is introduced into a combustion chamber. The fuel and oxidizer are combusted in the combustion chamber. The combustion products exit a throat and an expansion plenum in a direction similar to the first direction, whereby the combustion products exit a nozzle of the rocket engine, providing thrust.

Abstract: A propulsion apparatus includes a propellant, at least one laser, and a thrust member. The propellant includes a solid surface having a hollow core disposed within the solid surface and a thrust-producing medium disposed within the hollow core. The at least one laser is positioned to vaporize the propellant with at least one laser-beam into a thrust-producing flow. The thrust member is for flowing within the thrust member a thrust-producing flow created by vaporization of the propellant.