New helium tech could revolutionize missile stealth
A research team from China has announced the discovery of a new method for injecting helium into rocket engines, which they believe can be used to develop modern, harder to detect or intercept missiles. This revelation followed their investigation into the failure of the Starliner spacecraft.
The Chinese scientists have developed a new type of rocket engine with the potential to be employed in advanced missiles, dubbed stealth missiles. Their findings were published in the scientific journal "Acta Aeronautica et Astronautica Sinica". In the article, they report significant advancements in rocket propulsion, which could potentially pave the way for a new generation of missiles capable of changing speed mid-flight and evading early warning systems.
Currently, this advancement remains theoretical. There is no confirmation of working prototypes, and the technology has not yet been tested. At this stage, results are solely based on computer models and have not been practically tested, according to Interesting Engineering.
The inspiration was the failure of the Starliner spacecraft
Remarkably, the new technology was reportedly inspired by an incident in Earth's orbit last year. As reported by the South China Morning Post, the inspiration originated from malfunctions in the Boeing Starliner spacecraft that left two NASA astronauts stranded on the ISS. In June 2024, astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams were stuck on the ISS after the Boeing Starliner capsule, which had transported them there, encountered numerous failures. It was ultimately returned to Earth without a crew. A short, week-long mission transformed into a ten-month expedition, expected to conclude in mid-March when the astronauts are expected to return home.
The main cause of the Starliner's problems was helium system leaks, crucial for maintaining pressure in liquid-fuel rockets. Helium is introduced into the reaction chamber to facilitate fuel introduction and must be stored separately, then passed through valves at the appropriate time, making the system prone to leaks. Similar issues have previously impacted other spacecraft, including India's Chandrayaan-2 and the European Ariane 5 rocket.
Innovative method of utilizing helium
In their research, scientists described a rocket engine design where helium is directly mixed with fuel in the combustion chamber through microscopic pores. This solution maintains fuel pressure, enhances reaction efficiency, and reduces leak risk. The key innovation compared to the Starliner and most other spacecraft is the use of a combination of solid and gaseous fuel instead of liquid, making the system more cost-effective and reliable.
According to the scientists, the optimal helium-to-fuel ratio could generate over three times the thrust compared to fuel alone. Furthermore, the capability to remotely regulate the helium supply to the engine would theoretically allow the missile’s speed to be adjusted mid-flight, complicating tracking and interception efforts.
This new engine would also produce less heat. Researchers suggest its exhaust plume could potentially be 2880°F cooler than that of traditional rockets. If deployed in missiles, this technology could render them nearly invisible to modern early warning systems, like SpaceX's Starshield satellites, which detect missiles by their thermal signatures, reports Interesting Engineering.
The technology has been enhanced
This is not the first discussion around this technology. In September 2024, the same research group published an article in the American journal "Physics of Fluids," detailing the theoretical capabilities of the new engine. This suggests the concept may have existed prior to the Starliner failure, considering the timeline required for publishing scientific work.
The earlier research primarily concentrated on increasing thrust via helium injection, whereas the latest article particularly highlights the potential application in stealth missiles and their ability to evade detection and defense systems.
However, the potential applications of this technology extend beyond military use. Solid-fuel rockets are cheaper than their liquid-fuel counterparts, meaning the new engine could significantly reduce spaceflight costs. This is particularly noteworthy given the growing number of space missions worldwide.
