Italian Innovation in the US: Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Gets An Italian Edge
Posted by Machines Italia | 31 Aug 2012
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To date, Project Aquila has completed all its manufacturing designs; assembly is currently paused for the summer due to funding limitations and lab time. The development of cryogenic liquid propulsion systems typically require 5 to 10 years of research and development, and generally begin with small test motors of 50 pounds force. However, the ERAU students began with 500 pounds of force and have expanded to 1500 pounds of force in just 2 years’ time. The team believes that a modification to the EV-2 motor would allow for a quick turnaround into a flight version; however this will require at least 2 more years of work. The Project Aquila students and the workers at Meccanotecnica share their excitement in soon achieving the technology required to reach low-earth orbit. And waiting to see their parts revolving around the hearth MR staff receives the Aquila team appreciation.
“The parts manufactured by Meccanotecnica surpassed all expectations. Their ability to quickly respond and keep the team up to date with manufacturing went a long way in terms of our strategic planning. When compared to other work that had been done for us, from both the US and China, it is clear that Italian manufacturing is a notch above the rest. I look forward to working with Meccanotecnica in future.” -Oreste Giusti (Part of the Liquid Propulsion Development and Upper Stage Integration Teams) “The machined parts are a work of art – there are no inconsistencies in the design. We received a part from another company that looked like a child made it.
This part from Meccanotecnica truly shows quality in the smoothness and it’s hard to imagine the part was machined.” -Miguel Rivera (Part of the Liquid Propulsion Development and Upper Stage Integration Teams) “The Aquila team worked very hard to design the chamber liner and methane dome so it was great to see that the parts were fabricated brilliantly. Meccanotecnica was very generous and cooperative and helped the project a lot through its involvement.”
