Breakthrough: Generatively-Designed Aerospike Engine Successfully Test Fired by Leap 71

For decades, the aerospike engine has been hailed as a revolutionary advancement in rocket propulsion, promising greater efficiency and performance for spaceflight. Despite its potential, technical and manufacturing challenges have kept this technology just out of reach—until now. Leap 71, a pioneering engineering firm, has made significant strides by successfully test firing a generatively-designed aerospike engine. Utilizing advanced computational design and additive manufacturing techniques, Leap 71 overcame many of the traditional hurdles that have hindered aerospike development. Aerospike engines differ from conventional bell-shaped rocket nozzles by maintaining optimal efficiency across a wide range of altitudes, potentially reducing fuel consumption and increasing payload capacity. However, their complex geometry and cooling requirements have historically made them difficult to build and test. Leap 71’s approach leverages generative design—where algorithms optimize the engine’s structure for performance and manufacturability—paired with state-of-the-art 3D printing. This combination allowed for rapid prototyping and testing, accelerating the development timeline. The recent successful test firing marks a major milestone, demonstrating not only the viability of the aerospike concept but also the power of generative design and additive manufacturing in aerospace innovation. As Leap 71 continues to refine their engine, this breakthrough brings the promise of aerospike technology closer to practical application in future space missions. Read the source »