Abstract: A rocket engine has spaced apart inner and outer skins each unitarily formed in one piece from carbon fiber fabric. The inner skin is formed on a two-part mold that is separated and removed from the inner skin after it is cured. An oxidizer ring encircles the bottom of the engine and is in flow communication with flow channels between the skins. Oxidizer tubes are connected at one end to the ring and at their other end to support brackets on the engine. The oxidizer ring is formed as an integral part of the engine by extending the outer skin over an inflatable mold, which is deflated and removed from the ring after the ring is cured. The oxidizer tube is formed on a mold with a rigid spine that holds the shape of the mold until the oxidizer tube is cured. The spine and the mold are then removed.

Abstract: A rocket engine having a combustion chamber, a throat, and an exhaust bell is made with spaced apart inner and outer skins each unitarily formed in one piece of carbon fiber fabric. Longitudinal ribs in the space between the skins reinforce the engine and divide the space into a plurality of flow channels. An oxidizer ring at the bottom of the exhaust bell is in fluid flow communication with the flow channels, and one or more oxidizer tubes are connected tangentially at one end to the ring to supply oxidizer to the ring and thence to the flow channels. The oxidizer tubes are connected at their other end to the engine above the throat, further reinforcing the engine. An igniter is in the combustion chamber, and ignition fuel ports are directed toward the igniter to provide a soft start ignition.